Year: 1873




of the War to Follow.


1HE REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE CUBAN REPUBLIC IN
FoRE1GN LANDS TO HIS ExcELLENCY THE PRESI-
DENT OF THE UNITED STATES


YOUR ExCELLENCY-The representative abroad
OF the Cuban Republic would not break the silence
he has so long maintained toward the government
over which Your Excelency so worthily presides
had not your recent high minded Message TO Con-
gress confirmed the hopes which have been SO
naturally excited that the Cuban question was at
last to receive the solution demanded by the in
terest OF civilization ami the spirit OF American
institutions. And now he would not intrude him
self in the question OF the honor OF the American
people, involved by the outrageous acts OF the
Spaniards, for he has no right TO do so. He can
only say that the Cubans, is their duty Will con-
tnue in the sacrifice OF their property
and lives upon the altar OF their country
and when at last the United States shall decide
to put stop to those outrages in the only possi-
bic manner they will proter for this purpose
100000 men in ranks and ready to receive those
arms which have been so long denied them.


The undersigned entertalns some expectations
that, aided by the eloquent history OF the past five
years, he may be able. through the reasons he may
set forth, to effect some change in the policy OF
the United States in the treatment of this ques-
ton. He will always reject the rumors set anoat
by the political enemies OF the worthy Minister in
charge OF the Department of State. He is con-
vinced and takes pleasure In declaring 1T, that as
gentleman and Christian, that honorable
statesman has acted in good faith, though per-
haps looking at the Cuban question from a MIS-
taken point OF view.


The gigantic struggle between the two sections
of this country and the results which followed oc-
cupied the entire attention OF its principal men.
This government, after contending from 1T74 TO 1881
for independence was compelled to struggle from
1861 to 1865 Tor the liberty OF all, and when the is
sue was decided it was in accordance with justice
that the destiny Of the nation should be confided to
the powerful arm which had preserved 1t, assisted
by those associated with MIN in this work. And
yet Influenced by the ardor OF the contest and en-
gagged recognizing and reconstructing alter so
costly labor, they could not pay much attention
to any other questions, or view them save through
the hight of those political passions which had been
developed In the great conflict. In this struggle
the right OF secession was maintained by the
Southern States and denied by the great majority
OF the nation. AS the war in Cuba broke out in
short time after, the men engaged in the contest
here were perhaps inclined to regard the Cubans
as holding the same relations to the Spanish gov
ernment that the seeded states did to the govern
nent OF this Union and looked upon them as rebels





be added the representations OF a great part OF


THE AMERICAN MERCHANTS


residents in the Island having business relations
Herewith. Their interests were identical with
those OF the slave-trading Spanlards who con-
stltuted the real Spanish government OF Cuba
The commerce OF the United States with the island
represents more than Sl00,00o,000 yearly, and
many OF the Americans engaged in it are the very
energetic, though not avowed, defenders of the
Spanish power in the island. The men in this
country VINO sustain this commerce necessarily
exert great influence, without appearing to
minge in any political questions, and they may
have created In Washington feeling opposed to
Cuba which will prevent the question being seen
in its true light. This would explain the intimate
friendship manifested by this government toward
Spain, whether represented by the revolutionary
soldiers Serrano and Prim, by King Amadeus or
by the present ephemeral republican government
Between the interest OF certain American mer-
chants and the duty Of recognizing cuban belliger
ency the balance was inclined in favor OF the
former. The undersigned will endeavor to remove
the erroneous impressions which are eXtant in
the atmosphere OF Washington, and, as the source
OF these impressions lies in coniounding the char
acter and position Of the patriots with those OF
The Confederates, he will first consider that point


THE coSFEDEgATEs AND THE cCBASs





neroism, valor and gooi faith OF the men who
fought ia the cause OF the South. They were
worthy enemies Of the great Northern people.
They fell with glory. Unfortunately their cause
was that OF slave labor and their aim to weaken
Power which required all It's strength in order
10 accomplish the great mission assigned to it by
rro'iuehce' Ihe Cubans constituted a colony OF
Spah "ie"out pohtical rights or rights or any
kind; tie South belonged to a confederation of
free States bound to submit 10 the decision Of the
greater number; the Cubans fight TO abolish
slavery the South fought TO preserve It; the Gu.
bans desire to be allied TO the Union the south
only wished to be separate theremom. To sum IN
the whole matter the South, whether wrong or
oiherwise decided TO establish by an appeal TO
arms the principle Of the right OF portion
OF nation to separate rom the main body; the
Cubans have the long since admitted right or In
dependence belonging TO every oppressed colony,
rs proclaimed IN 1876 by the fathers OF this corn
try. They had many times asked political rights
from Spain. which had been as often denied them,
and when they had lost every hope they took to
the field. Whether they are entitled 70 any credit
foT the manner they have conducted themselves is
question not u be treated ms Idle words as 1t Is
leared has been done heretofore.


THE CUBAN POPULATION AND TEErR EFFoRT5


In Cuba was formed a respectable society, aug
Inented by emigration IRON Florida, St. Domingo
ana all Spanish America, aad Influenced by the
'act that certain market for their productions
could be found in the United states. The families
VINO there acquired wealth, not finding an oppor.
tuh'y OF educating their sons In satisfactory
manner under Spanish rule adopted the Eabit OF
sen0nR them 10 foreign lands and IN this way
altcr many years, there grew UP in that country a
populaton-rehned and cutured-n opposition 20
the AIMS and wishes OF the government OF Spain.
When tins population decided 10 break the ties