Year: 1869

Progress of the Liberal Cause In Cuba.


The Cuban revolution has at length reached
point where it becomes Of great moment to
us to know what relations the United States
are to assume towards the belligerents. What
are our national interests in the premisesS
Laying aside all of that feeling for territorial
expansion which is the natural result OF our
progress, we can but see that it is pre-emi-
nently to our interests that Cuba should be gov
erned by its own inhabitants and not in the un-
natural manner which has characterized the
colonial system as administered by Spanish
hands. In no sense does the present recog-
nized government of the island belong to this
century, especially 10 this half OF it. The
Spanish system is one of oppression, wrongs,
bloody retaliation when . liberal movement
stings it-enormous taxes to support the troops
that hold the colony in subsection, opposition
to republicanism and general narrowness Of
administration that is most blighting in its
effects upon the people who suffer under it
system only dignifed with the name OF
government by those European Powers which
are most backward in the civilization Of the
age. The New World cannot recognize such
government, for it is standing insult to the
principles which we follow for our national
guidance. The tenacity with which Europe
has supported Spain in her clinging to Cuba
is the best reason possible that we should ad-
vocate every reasonable measure which may
give the island separate nationality and abil-
ity to cut aloof from the Old World.


With these things in view we have
watched with intense interest the rise
of the revolution and its gradual but
steady and certain increase, until to-day
it commands the whole Eastern interior
and threatens every important point in the
West. The insurgents started in their work
under the most adverse circumstances. They
lacked arms, ammunition, organization, cash,
and could alone trust to that firm determine
tion which in just cause wins independence.
The pouring in Of Spanish troops to suppress
the movement is now useless. No body of
men that Spain can spare for the purpose will
be of avail. Scattered through the country, they
WILL no buIIOuuucO duO Cut W plcC0ps 4uC
season Of yellow fever and the cholera already
in their ranks will rapidly dispose Of the un-
acclimated. Every foot of ground gained by
the insurgents is dollar Of revenue lost to
Spain and q decrease of Spanish power to
overturn the rebellion.


AS to any sympathy with the Spanish resi-
dents of Cuba, we have not particle. They
are all hangers-on of the colonial system
which has made the whole Of Spanish America
one vast carnival of blood, lust and misrule.
They believe to-day, as they believed in
the days of Ferdinand VII, that ''while
a Spanish cobbler or Manchego mule
exists he has q right to rule the
Indies;" and they carry out that idea with
refinement of cruelty alone modified by their
contact with the United States. If one would
know what lash has been held over the Gu
bans let him set firm his teeth and study the
rule of the Spanish viceroys in the New World.
Modern times may have tempered 1t little,
but modern times also have given it refine
ment for the Cuban has had almost within
sight people who are blessed with freedom,
equality before the law and right to represen-
tation, none Of which privileges Cuba has en-
joyed, however often promised.


Our news Of to-day and the extracts which
we publish from very authentic private letter
are most hopeful for the just cause Of the pa
triots. Numerous important points are yield
ing to the impulse and ''the excitement is in
tense" "The cry is Liberty. and Down with
despotisml" Already the patriots have or
ganized provisional government and the
proper measures are being taken for general
emancipation of the slaves and the extension
Of equal political privileges to every citizen.
The patriots have cast the die and will now re-
ject all terms Of reconciliation with Spain.
They now hold at least one-half the island.
The other half is infected with the revolution
ary spirit; the troops are daily improving in
military efficiency, arms are being sup
piled in great quantities, officers are land
ing from the South American States
and from Mexico to aid the good
cause; the wealthy planters are considering
that they will gain more by opening new road
to wealth and prosperity than by clinging to
the old, and everything indicates that Spanish
rule is virtually ended. The only thing that
Spain can now do is to commence one or her
famous indiscriminate Spanish American mas
T.. 4. -. H. L.