Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-05-31
TOMAS ESTRADA PALMA.
New President II Called tn, Graz
Old Man" Of Cuba.

Old Man" Of Cuba.
Tomas Estrada Palma, the new presi-
dent of Cuba, is the modern Lincoln,
the Grand Old Man. the one repre-
sentative having the confidence of ali
the Cubans. For eighteen years he
was a school teacher, and thousands
of young Cubans have been educated
at his Central Valley academy, among
the green hills of Orange county, near
Newburg. Although nc is well ad-
vanced in life and a man of gentle,
genial disposition, the Cubans do not
forget his services in that fearful ten
years war, from 1868 to 1878, which
proved him a hero. Finally, when cap
tured, he was sent to Spain a prisoner,
but remained the same brave, un-
dauDted patriot, always true to the
cause. He not only lost his mother,
but his estates and fortune. BY swear
Ing allegiance to Spain he could have
saved all. Now, in the golden years of
his eventful life, Estrada Palma re-
turns to Cuba, the chosen magistrate
OF his beloved people. Having edu-
Gated the sons of the principal families
OF that island, given them q home and
a father's care, under his own roof, he
viii have a hold possessed by no other
representative in winning his country
men to the ways of industry ana peace.
DuAliS the uuIh udNS OF the recent
war, Mr.. Palma seemed n helpless, fail
ing man. Victory brought new life. He
seems twenty years younger, and his
eyes have the brightness of youth.
Just before sailing from New York
Tor the new republic, Mr.. Palma was
asked to outline the course he proposed
to follow:
1T would not be proper for ME to
speak In a of my plan" he said,
but | a say that Cuba needs n pol
Icy turning her eyes to the future and
making her forget the past. Let the
crimes OF other days be buried-swal-
lowed up In the darkness which SUR
rounds those years of conflict. Let us
follow the example of Lincoln and
Grant.
Let us have peace, and in the
brightness OF tomorrow forget the
night and errors Of the past; let feuds
and controversy cease; let us think Of
our children, OF the prosperity that is
to be theirs tomorrow, ard all will be
we'll.
I'VE want wise and honest govern
ment, and, above all, protection and
justice for the people Of Cuba; instead
of strife, let us have schools, commerce
and i"ndustry-build up the country,
educate the people and develop the re-
sources Of our wonderful island repub-
lie.
las l said the other night, my work
h from now on be the reconstruc-
ton of Cuba. Let us in this task Of ad-
vancement and betterment of our be-
loved country use the high standard
set by the United States. And we, too,
should demonstrate to this great ma
ton that we are grateful and worthy
OF the generous assistance which 1t has
advanced US. Let us work together,
and the result must be a great and
prosperous nation.
1T Is my intention" said Mr.. Palma,
Ito go from Gibara to Holguin by rail-
road, and thence to Bayamo. 1t was at
Bayamo that my mother was buried. l
shall find her grave II 1 can. She died
there twenty-five years ago from the
effects Of exposure and privation, for,
with a party Of friends, she was for ten
days In the forests without food, hid
ing from the Spanish soldiers. / shall
find her grave If an, and see that 1t
Is properly marked. Thence to Manza-
Milo, and from there to Santiago and
Havana.
There will be a great contrast" he
said, between my departure from Cuba
twenty-five years Ago., a prisoner In
chains, and my forthcoming return"