Year: 1869

Address OF General Cespedes, ON Resigning


His Provisional Authority.


To THE INHABITANTS AND THE LIBERATNG ARMY
OF THE EASTERN AND WESTERN DEPARTMENTs:-
FELLOW CITIZENS AND SOLDIERS OF THE FATHER
LAND-The course Of events, which have never dis
trusted, without giving view as to our revolution
revolution which is to-day what 1t was yesterday
and will be tomorrow, the constant aspiration OF
the people Of Cuba for independence brought to the
field Of actual existence-leads me to-day willingly
by the hand before the legal representatives of the
Cuban people, to restore to their hands the double
authority with which my good fortune, crcum-
stances and your bountiful confidence had clothed
me, those OF General-in-Chief Of the Eastern and
Western Departments and Chfef Of your provisional
government.


Now that the House of Representatives gathered
from all parts OF the island, has been happily IN
augurated in Guamaro, it becomes from the moment
OF its organization the supreme and only authority
for all Cubans, because 1t constitutes the depository
of the peoples will, sovereign of the present and
controller of the future. All temporary power and
authority ceases TO have a rightful voice in Cuba
from the very moment In which the wise democratic
system, laying its solid foundations beneath the
gigantic shadow OF the tree Of liberty, has come to
endow us-after suffering the most iniquitous rule
with the most beautiful and magnificent of human
insttutions-a republican government


Unfeigned gratitude owe to the destiny which
afforded me the glory Of being the first IN Yara to
greater, though less merlted satisfaction, to see
crowded around me my fellow citizens in demand Of





ing my poor efforts by their confidence. But another
glory was reserved to me, far more grateful to my
sentiments and democratic convlctions-that OF also
being the first to render homage TO the popular
sovereignty.


This duty fulfilled having given an account to the
fatnerland IN It's most genuine representation, OF the
work which, with the assistance OF Its own heroic
sons had the good fortune to have commenced, it
still beho0ves me, fellow citizens to fulfil another,
not less imperious to my heart, of addressing my
gratitude TO you; to you, without whom my humble,
isolated efforts, would not have produced other fruit
n IN har
OF preceding martyrs for independence-tO you who,
recognizing in me the principle rather than the
man, came to stimulate me by your recognition of
myself as chief of the provisional government and
the llberating army.


FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE EASTERN DEPART
MENT-Your efforts as inltators OF the struggle
against tyranny your constancy, your sufferlngs,
your heroic sacrifices OF all descriptions your priva
t1ons, the combat without quarter which you have
sustained and continue to sustain against enemy
far superior in armament and discipline, and who
displays, for want OF the valor winch good cause
inspires, all the ferociy which the attribute OF
tyranny, have been witnessed by myself, and so will
remain ct eternaly ri present to my heart Ie are the
you to the admiration and to the gratitude Of the
Cubans. Continue your abne0ation of self, your
well entitle you to that gratitude and that admra
ton.


FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE WESTERN DEPART
MENT-n 1t has not been your good fortune to be the
first in grasping arms, neither were you among the
last In listening to the voice of the fatherland that
cried for revolution. Your moral aid and assistance
responded from the very onset to the call OF your
brethren Of the Eastern and Central departments.
Many Of you hastened to the scene Of revolution to
share our labors. AT this moment, despite the
tivity displayed by the spanish government in your
districts, where its resources and the number OF
their hosts render more difficult the current Of the
revolution, that same government trembles before
your determined attitude, from the Clnco Villas to
Havana and from Havana to the western boundary
and your first deeds OF arms the presage you
and the brave and worthy sons Of the Eastern and
Central departments OF new and decisive triumphs
FELLOW CITIZENS OF ALL THE lsLAND-The blood
OF the patriots who have fallen during the first
set OF the struggle has consecrated aspirations
with a glorious baptism. At this moment, when
destiny has been pleased to close the mission OF him
who was your first leader, swear with HIM by that
generous blood that in order to render fruitful that
great sacrifice you will shed your own, till the very
last drop In furtherance OF the contamination OF
our independence proclaimed In Yara. Swear with
me to give up our lives thousand over IN sustain
ing the republic proclaimed IN Guaimaro.
Fellow ctiZens-Long live our independence Long
live the popular sovereignty Long live the Cuban
republic Pat7'fd and liberty.


CARLOS MANUEL DE CESPEDES.


GUIMARo, April 10, 1869.