The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-10-07
KEY WEST SETS

teerS (dlSl0yaI CubanS who eS-
poused the Spanish cause - SIM
liar to the tories in the American
reyolution) committed unjust ex-
cesses and drumhead trials were
held at the slightest provocation.
The civil courts were unable to
correct the situation and daily life
on the island became more intol-
cradle for the freedom loving Gu
bans.
Secret meetings were held and
surreptitious publications were
printed proclaiming the Spanish
misrule and pointedly urging the
Cuban populace to arise and fight
for the cause of freedom.
AS the situation neared the boil
ing point, it remained for de Ces-
pedes to make the first move to
free the Cuban people from their
oppresSors, when he gathered his
followers around him in a stirring
address, which has since become
classic in Cuban letters, ignited
a struggle known as the ''Ten Year
War" which was the first inkling
that SPANS power in Cuba might
be overcome.
Translated by Miss Benildes Re-
mond of the San Carlos Institute,
de Cespedes address, which sums
up simply the spirit behind Cuban
patriotic thinking in those times,
appears in part: Fellow Citizens:
That sun rising behind the great
Turquino Mountain, announces the
first day of liberty for you !.
'As Spain does not want to heed
the just claims Of Cuba, let US
make war against her. This viii
cost us arms and the sacrifice Of
your lives and well.being in order
to gain freedom and honor for this
beautiful land in which we were
born"
Although the Ten Year War
which he ignited on that day in
1868 did not bring separation from
Spain for his country, it did lay
the foundation for Cuban liberties
by proclaiming the emancipation Of
the slaves and the holding Of the
first Cuban constitution assembly.
Soon the island was embroiled in
a bloody war which laid the ground
work for the revolutionary activity
which resulted in the gaining of
freedom for Cuba in the 1895 War
for Independence.
Cespedes did not fare so well
at the hands of the revolutionists,
however, when he was accused of
tendencies and deposed
as the president Of the "Repablic
b Arms" and exiIed to the village
Of San Lorenzo where he was be-
sieged and slain by the Spaniards
in 1874.
An interesting sidelight into eel
Critic de Yara" is the fact that Jose
MART, Cuba's most reyered patri-
Of, just a i5-year old schoolboy Ia
Havana AZ the time. but already
bearing a deep love OF freedom,
formed q secret patriotic society
Of which he called a meeting and
read his fellow csSnspirators son
net that be had composed In honor
o. the great day. He titled II sim
ply, ssThe Tenth oil October. "
Translated by Hiss Remond. the
sonnet follows:
II il not q dream II Is true,
The Cuban People proudly sound
their war cry.
TIE people whs for three cen
turtles have suffered
Al At the soFrlywx that sppres-
sion brings.
TIE eannons roar from tie broad
Cauto River
To the TExcamhr1y Mourtatns.
Ard as thelr helicose tkun1er
TIE harharsxE oEpTesscxs are dis
tsfrkses4
Ard Trey timidly lament ard are
korrifssg
Thank gsa1, Cuha. n last deter.
Eaine4ty
Seeks 80 break The ehaiax Which
expressed II
Asa psuaay anA sresly raises ~
ke4A
MAxxas wuvsts srsA ~ &c KsfFtt
hesnd tie cN1ehxztaa e 81 Grxta
De YaK8@ ~ Eey Wess
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