. I e # 1 -* I # >,r'C V; ITS *i& a *i * * ~***, 9, "a THE rPBiN HIIIIff HISTORY, GOVER;MENT, RE80UR< 49 a ]& qw-WINCO 4U7 9 ]NIX 10impa El -A& A k7-]m] INPOINALOOD JEW 4u rr cq CES, ** * **:: **..* OFP / (ENERAL NAPO iEON ABAN6G TO I o o I C) 4:> 7ET nrT WL T r 30 NT X i AL.iR. a a CUBANS! When Curlos Manuel de Cespedes thought of raising the cry of Independence, and expemted the other cities of the Island to second him, he received, as a reply, from the jurisdiction of Holguin and Puerto Principe, that they would not s"pport him; and the Cinco Villas and other towns maintained an attitude of expectancy. Notwithstanding this, C~spedes said that he had no need of the remainder and that he wvould pronounce on the 14th. of October, as he did in fact, but some what in advance of that date. Having so many reasons, as I have, to know the country, as well as the character and tendencies of its inhabitants; and also what Spain would do and what was to be expected of the people on the Island: knowing, moreover, the policy of the United States and the effects as well as the consequences that must follow a revolution, espetiably when it was an cxteviporaneous outburst; and being convinced, besides, fhptf ^iv;i^ '-w;Co I;~^iogf;Cibj Lijulo o onr population and to the little enlightenment of the masses, nothing but extermination, could be expected for Cuba, I took part in framing the reply given to Ce'spedes by Puerto-Prin-cipe, stating that, since he took pains to carry out so wvicked an idea, he should not be seconded by us; and we made himn responsible before posterity, for the evils which he wam about to bring on Cuba. Ce'spedes and his inexperienced fellowbelievers proclaimed Independence at Yara, without any supply of arms or munitions of war, without provisions, clothing, &c., &.c,, with which to support their movement. Ignorant of what revolution is, they launched forth just like children who heedlessly, play with a wild beast, in entire ignorance of its nature. The first moment of enthusiasm, on the part of the peoble, and of surprise, on the part of Government, gave them the victory at Bayamo; and they at once thought that the Independence of Cuba was already secured. This was a fatal error, a sad illusion, which blunted their common sense and gave loose rein to their passions. It was the fatal error of those men who had not sufficient strength of will to be able to wait. Ah! how fatal it is not to know when to await! The Camagiieyanos were aroused at the enthusiastic shout for liberty, and they wished to help their brethren of Bayamo, driven on by a sentiment of fraternity and | by their yet stronger love of liberty;-that noble aspiration which God has imbued in the hearts of all men. I shared not in these desires, although I did really in their I sentimientf3, but I was restrained by expe-! rience and by my knowledge of the situa- tion&^ 0Anxious to be of service to my coun- try,*J <?ffered to go to Bayamo as a repre-| aeVoA'r-aVe from Puerto Principe, which I diFtom myv first steps into the Easfern De-! parinment, I was convinced of. the error into *^fch he eople had fallen, and the impo, sibility of keeping upS sounequal a contest. Moreover, after studying the revolution -and sounding the feelingS of the people, I discovered that -they did not -desire the move - ment but had been dragged into it; without noticing, in the beginning, owing to their bliud precipitation, that they were not prepared to secure a successful issue. In some private circles I spoke of the propriety of changing the cry for Indepen-, dence ihto an acceptation of the Cadiz programme;,-an idea which was well received, and seemed so to chfinge the course of affairs, that I ran a great risk, being threatened by the few who persisted in their original intention. I spoke to Cespedes aid made known to him the untimeliness of the revolution; that if he really desired. the welfare of Cuba, this latter consisted in withdrawing from a war that must be ruinous and unsuccessful in the end; that the liberties offered in the Cadiz programme wvere perhaps even more than wvould suit Cuba, &c., &c. Cespedes, convinced by my reasoning agreed to ty proposals; and if he then failed to follow my advice it was, to use his own words, because he feared that he would not be obeyed by those who had already proclaimed for Independence. They did not understand the true policy that should be followed in the guidance of nations. They began badly and will end worse. Oa my return to Puerto Principe I found the country in insurrection, dragged on by two or three men who were led wrong by | their ill-digested ideas of liberty or by their I own private interest, and whose only wish jwas revolutio-n in whaterer may it could be^ j brought abfout. I grieved:it 'Ais mistake, bu, ull'umit'ultflsig hemLa i, ah alw~* i f _RMMi1 advancing the prosperity of Cuba, I called a meeting which was held at Clavellinas. There I made known the result of my observations during my trip to Bayamo; and, after some discussions, the force of my arg guments prevailed. Wi't one exception, all agreed that we should adhere to the Cadig | programme. I was afterwards appointed Geineral-in-Chief with esspecial charge (thus was it set forth in the record) that I should have an interviewi wvith General Valmaseda ]for thepur2ose noted above. In a conversation with that gentleman, he manifested the best of intentions in favor of a pacification but stated that lie was Bot empowered, hy his government, to make any concession. He offered, nevertheless, to grant effectual ones, so soon as he could obtain the power. He called my attention to this; that whatever the liberties which should be granted to Cubo, the rights of the j Cubans would have to be regarded as attacked, if they did not send representatives, to have a hand in everything that might be I done in regard to this country. I knew too well the reasons of General IValmaseda, but fearing that my fellowcountrymen might not seize the force of his I reasoning, we agreed upon a truce of four days, which I requested, in order to call another meeting more numerous, and one Iwhich should decide upon the matter. This meeting tookplace at Las Minas; and there, I as well as at Clavellinas, the majority was -not for a continuation of the war but for accepting the Cadiz programme,. Had a vote lbeen taken, it is certain that this choice wvould have carried; but I refrained from calling a vote in order to be consistent with the Caunao district, which had made known, through its, delegate, Don Carlos L. Mola (Junior) that it wished to have no voting, I because, in case thereof, they would be |bound to its result; and that district was only in favor of accepting whatever the go|vernment chose to grant them. An immtense majority was in favor of the programme: and, nevertheless, the war was kept up, because those, bent upon it, spared DO means nor suggestion to entice away those in favor of the Cadiz programme. That is to say. that, taking ad-vantage of family ties, of friendships, and of aiu ill comprehended association, &c., &c., they dragged along with them the univary-and the inex perienced, who were then reluctant enough and who now kinow their error. As I never wished to force upon any one (not even on my own brothers) my own ideas, nor to make use of any other means than persuasion, in accordance with reason, I confined niyself to simply resigning the rank that hWl been conferred on me and withdrew to my plantation. From that time forward, I bpsied myself merely with enlightening the people, Abowing them the mistakes into I vhich they were led by those who were interested in the continuance of the war. I have not sought to impose my notions (nt~any one, but I do not, any the more, accept those of others, when my reason and liy conscience reject them. And I believe there is no right, 'nor law, nor reason to *|lpport those who willingly, or through ce, whish to force upon others their own as, however good or holy these may be. rhose who are at the head of the Cuban ernment and guide the revolution believe ir triumph possible; they think their peas are correct and their way a good one. Jery well; but, not believing as they do, I love aside from that government, whose — ressure and arbitrariness are such, that it 11} not even admit neutrality in others. I H! not wage war against yo.)u; I will not Iptee'tip U aiuuuif _o, ecAC6pl in 'p-ricra-0 al defence; but I separate from men who with to impose their own notions on others through force. You are free to think and -act as you like, and I reserve to myself the same right, and act in accordance therewith. But there is more. In the position where, unfortunately and much against my will, events have placed me, I occupy a place as a public man, as a volitician, in Cuban politics; and I should not remain inactive while I behold tbe destruction of Cuba, and Ilook out merely for my personal safety under the protection of the Spafish Government. `no, Gentlemen, I would then be a bad patriot, and I ]ove my country before liberty, or rather I do not understand the foimer principle as divorced from the latter. Both are intimately lound together; and, j in order that the first be worthy, honorable and beneficial to humanity, it cannot be sepaiated from the second. I am a Cuban, the Fame as yourselves, and I have consequently the same right to busy mykelf with the welfare of my country. Let every one have his method; you pretend that you obey the popular will; that you are at the head of government, becauee of the will of the people and popular choice: that you act in confoimity with ideas and sentiments of the Cubans; and, finally, that you are promoting the welfare and prosperity of Cuba. 1 shall prove entirely the contrary. The favorable reception, with which my ideas were met at Bayamo, the meeting at Clavellinas, that at Las Minas, and the desire.-almost Unanimous,'-to accept the concessions offered by General Dukce, prove sufficiently that the country warited peace;~ |Nevertheless you maintainl war. Hen3celpopular suffrage in the counti'y is but, a chimera. Let -as see how the actual governmeint was foirmed. Op the one kide, Carles Mainuel de | Cspedes who, for himself and irn his own vname, set himself vp as the dictator of Cuba, ap.pointed a certain number of deputies for the East, at the lamous weeting ian Guaima ro. That is a fine representation cuf popular will and an admirable republic, when the deputies are not elected by ihe people I On the other hund, ibe agpzembly at Puerto Principe, was illegalli constitutted and entirely wnauthori*ed; and, finally, seme deputies Hecm the C)DCO Villas,-Ihe only ones bhich peibaps held a legitimate iepiesentation,met together and toimed the actual goVernraent, which they should have called the Vfnetian, rather than a Cvban Rr ubic. They oiurmd the goveiamcnt 1y shoting zcith each other the ofices, and they piopofe I I. I I I I thus to shape the destiny of Cuba. A handful of men, thus representing over a million souls, who have had no share in their nomination, does not assuredly constitute popular election. The Cubans want the liberty of axsewblage, freedom of speech, respect of property, pevsonal security, the liberty to leave the territory of the Republic -which is a right secured in all nations of the world to every individual; they want, in fine, to he governed as the majority choose, and orit according to the will of a few. But nothin of all this is done. Whoever puts forh ideas contrary to those of the government or of any of its functionaries, is threatened with four shots; property is a prey to the fitrst comer, who, with arms in hand, can take possession of what suits him; the lives of men are sported with, just as children sport with flies, and in fine, whoever attemps to abandon the government, even without intending to wage war on it is persecuted unto death.. Hence the conduct of said go-vernmvnt — is B — et-e~~eity with the ideas and sentiments of the country. If to all this be added the arsons and the complete destruction of Cuban wealth, the demolition of towns and__-.-. what must follow in the end, can there be one sensible man, who will maintain that all this constitutes the prosperity and well-being of Cuba! Assuredly not. You employ force, deceit, terror, to drag the masses on and carry out whatever you |judge beneficial for the cause of Cuba; I i use only reason, truth, and the irresistible logic of facts and of experience, not the material argument of arms. Well then, knowing as I do, that the country does not want war and that it continues therein under the pressure of the Cuban governmjent, on the one hand and, on the other, out of fear of the punishment which the Spanish government might inflictknowing, as I do, that nothing is to be ex." pected from the United States, as it was attempted to make the people believe i knowing that, since the beginning of the Insurrection, 40,000 men have come from Spain, and that many more will come-a fact generally unknown in this country; aw~re,, as I am, that over 100,000 men are under arms; that the coasts are well -watched, andi that the New York Junta lacks ressourcte, to send material aid to the Insurrection; aware, moreover, that the Cuba, the Lillian, the expedition of Goicouria and others are lost resources; that the Insurrection is almost stifled in the East and in the Cinco Villas; tbat in the Vuelta-Abajo, far from there being anmy secessionists, it is the country-people themeelves wbe pursue thejfl8. surgents, as has just taken place in Gdixnet knowing, as I do, tbat the families, to le met with in the fields, are aDxious to retur-;x:, to the towns; and aware of the importance.',attached to my conduct, both in the Island-:: aind abiol-ad, 1 Lave made a, new sacrifice; fer my country. I have come forward wit-h my lamimy-to prove, by my example, that I do not believe in the triumph of the insurrection, nor do I fear the Spanishi governmert; wbich, animated as it is with the best of wik heq, is ready to draw a vcil over the last, provided the country can )}, paciBied gnd many teais,'much blood ajid 3Sess of pryperty be spared. It is a;~acrifice iudeed, Gentlemien, for I exjpoe may Dame to the evil torgued and make it the butt cf falre ijteipietatious. I leliere vfmly that thehuppiness ^t Cuba ard the welfare of bumarity, ccnsinsto in tbepacification of ibis beautilul country; and maintain this in the preeence of the whole D *'?y -1 u,^ w tO;\I -) ~r 6i I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - - -. ~, - - - 7 -, 111-1 —.1-. — 1 — ~ ~-~3~-~"~C —~ —" I- - - - ---- I. universe, with my hand on my conscience use of any pressure to enforce his ideas; and head erect, as becomes a man of honor,. who allows himself to be ruined from the There is no man who is infallible, and neglect of his own interests, in order to give perhaps my opinions and determination I himself np solely to the welfare of his eoun may be wrong; but I can at least afFirm try; does it not show clearly, I say, that; that I am acting in good faith, having for the attempt is made only because Ils adsole object in view, the welfare of my coun- versaries have different pretensions aid a try and of humanity, and making total different line of conduct from his I Now, abstraction of my own personality, as well what is this difference t It consists in_ Alwo as of my own interests. lence, deceit, the use of force, spolitiou of I am not a time -server but a man of fixed the neighbor, for ones own benefit it is es principles; I am convinced of my opinions potis, based on the ignorance in wcl and feel the energy of my convictions, I the people are kept. I have sought to have now maintain what I have maintained since the country governed as it is its wish - be the beginning of the revolution, even pre- governed, in accordance with universal iPfvions thereto, My actual conduct is not frage; yourgovernment, on the contrary therefore an apostacy, but the energetic pretend to rule it as they see fit. b y continuance in my opinions and principles, state that they want liberty for the peoIle, * These Ido not mean to impose on any one; whilst the most cruel despotism weighs upp ~=~~~~~ nnfortnnately, put Yo~~~~~~~~a I merely make them known inviting all to yoa. You knowe unfortunately, but oA examine them in every detail, and I am sure well, that this is the clear and plain t,. that they will follow my example. But, if for you suffer too many of its sad con%**blind to reason and unmindful'of the events, quences. iWhich for a rear and a half have supported The people are told that from the TJnitd "imy predictions, they persist in a struggle States will come reinforcement and resourwhich I believe hopeless, let them keep on, ces that there are elements to spare for tqle but without extending the horrors of war to continuation of the war; that the Spanish families. Let the women and children, whom soldier carries a cartrich-box and wears government wishes to foster and daily sup- shoes of raw hide, and is short of provisionM ports with rations of bread, rice, butter, &c. that there are no troops, nor will any come come to the City; and let you keep on, if from Spain; that the taxes are ruinine unfortunately you refuse to listen to the country, &e., &c. Well, I, who do noetk, voice of reason and of patriotism, in that against whom no one can cite a single aet senseless contest, which you must later unworthy of a man of honors in whom twe repent having ever begun. Cubans have always had their last hope; Reflect a moment; examine thoroughly, and through whose veins runs the blood of and not merely the appearances of the si- real patriots, I tell you that all this is iltuation, and you will see that the existing sion, deceit, and a fatal chimera. A-rfe is an- unqualifiable mistake, and its The government of the United States continuation an unparalleled blindness. The does not busy itself, nor can it, with the country has been dragged into a revolution, Cuban Insurrection. Look at Article 16 of which the majority repudiated;- and not the treaty of 1797, and you will learn that only the majority in number, but in the cha- they cannot favor the Cubans in the least rater of the persons. A small number,- efficacious way, without failing in national ve small indeed, an iusig1nificant minority dignity and exposing themselves to a coalii has dragged on the amajority. Where was tion against themselves. That government ever auch a thing witnessed before, gentle- is too polished and financially shrewd, to men T What has become of the intelligence of compromise itself in a war that would en. Cabans T Where are the energy and the in- tail serious mischief upon its commerce; - fll ence of men of intelligence and character I and, moreover, there are other motives thatIknow, and I am positive, that those of would be too lengthy to detail. -the majority think as I do; and nevertheless, Elements to spare, are neither in ther they act differently, only because they lack country nor in the hands of the New York resolution and are deceived by the few who Junta, who have made great outlays and are interested in keeping up the revolution, now begin to assert that the Cubans should no matter by what means. The system, provide themselves with arms, by taking followed thus far, is deceit, and the result, them from the enemy. The Spanish soldier must be fatal. When a building is erected is to-day better provided for than in ordin-I on shifting foundations it must inevitably ary times, and he has abundance of everycrumble. Ihave striven during the Insurree- thing. From Spain have come 40,000 men, tion, pertinaciously and without remiss, in and millions would be sent, if necessary, disabusing the people so, that they could, There are no taxes; they have all be knowingly and conscientiously, make -a sppressed, even te- tithe: the- cas choice of what was for their interest; but houses yield now more than in ordinary^ as this method is diametrically opposed to times; and if the country does not enjoy t that of some evil patriots, these latter have greater franchises, it is due to the situation waged a bitter and unfair war against me. in which it is at present. So you see that,s Cubans! You have seen that I have always you are being deceived and, not only your- a been a protector to the people; that I have selves, but also the Junta at New York and I tried to enlighten them, that they might have the whole world, as I shall prove, I a participation in everything, and know I have just read a manifesto of Manuel e what they were doing, so as to follow their Quesada, published in New York under date i own ideas and not be carried by others; but of the 8th. inst., in which he sets astray 1 what has been the result I I was treacher- entirely the opinion that should be formed r ously and illegally arrested, at the request of the state of the insurrection. I shall tear of those few who wish to rule the masses; off the bandage. He states that the Cuban I was sentenced to death, and over twenty army numbers 61,000, that there are here < times have they tried to put an end to my five powder factories; that fire-arms are 1 Ufe. And there are yet some who, in their manufactured here, as well as swords and t waywardness, eeekmyblood. Natural sense bayonets; that there are thirteen public } shows clearly that, when an attemptismade schools and thirteen churches; that 3000 to annihilate him who speaks the truth, who shoes are made every week and 4000 hides I enlightens and never deceives; who instead tanned every month; that the soldier re- I of speculating on his fellow-countrymen ceives, for daily ration, beef, sugar, coffee, I and growing rich on the revolution, makes vegetables and rice at his discretion, to- z use of his own means to succor the masses bacco, &c.;that there are many sugar mills, 1 (let all Yaguajay speak); who never makes grinding for the state; that several ware- a houses are filled with tobacco, sugar, hides, &c., to the value of many millions of dollars, that the territory which is occupied by the Cubans in insurrection is in a cultivated and producing condition, such as has never before been witnessed, even during years of the greatest abundance; that thousands of percussion caps are daily made; that he (Quesada) left here under commission of importance, after having temporarily put Jordan in command, under instructions, as well as the other leaders, &e., &c., to an endless length. I address yon, fellowcotintry-men, who are there on tlle ground of this insurrection whence f lhave lately come. You all, as well as myself, know that all these things arefalse, entirely false. Quesada states that he has gone to seek means and bring arms, with which to end the insurrection, but for what does he need them, if he irs 61,000 ment Is it possible thatit should not occur to the inhabitants of NewYork to ask him what need he has of more means, wRhen he has so80 many t7housand mnen'? when he has over 20,000 arms and can make more, as wFell as powder and caps? Why has not that soldier offourteen years campaigning taken possession, with that army, of one single town, at least, wherein to locate the government of the republic? Why has he not captured one single port through which to get aid, export the productions of the country, to the value of millions, and thus ac quire a right to recognition as belligerents t Where are those schools e R here are those churches? Have those at Guaimaro and Sibanicu, which were burned by that renowned general been perchance rebuilt 1 Why are the soldiers unshod, or wearing strips of raw hide, if 3000 shoes are made weekly and 4000 hides tanned per month? 'Were is the abundance for the soldier I Were has he got coffee, rice, tobacco, &c.? Where are those &ugaring-mills in regular running order? Where are those warehouses, that contain millions? Where i thatrich growth when not only there is no cultivation going on, but government orders to destroy and lay waste the cultivation that was in existenceI Where are those cap-factories? Are a few samples of such caps to be taken for thousands? Then, as to the commission of Manuel Quesada and his separation from command, do you not know, as well as I do, that he was ignominiously deposed by the Chamber; and that, during hisstay in Cmba, from his first arrival, his conduct has been blameworthy, under all aspects? Well then, Cubans, this is the plan followed from the beginning of the revolution. They are deceiving you and our brethren in |rw Yorky, as well as the whole world. For phe}fr rf I say that the edifice i raitsed bn insecure and imaginary foundations. For these reasons have I always tried to unde eeive the country and let them see cleariy, so as to prevent Cuba from sinking into the abyss wherein she is intended to be cast. Withal I have not been understood. There has been'Ano lack of some one who, out of exaltaticn, and under the pressure of some sad aberration, has qualified my conduct as treasonable. Ah:! Whoever stated that knows not even the meaning of his words! When did I ever recognize this government? Never; but, rather have I always been in opposition thereto "r as I wish my country's welfare, I ct not second an illegal, arbitrary, despotic government. that is annihilating our land. They recognize their error, but they have not loyalty enough to confess it; they are aware that they are neither statesmen, nor lovers of liberty, nor patriots, and their consciences sting them; they know that I have always seen farther than they could, and more clearly; that all my predictions have been fulfilled; that I have been alone in maintaining energetically my principles, bearing up against all kinds of privation and danger; and they do not forgive me for these advantages over them; they know that my past and my present career have been free fromn all stain, and they do not forgive me for that, Well, if to have thus behaved; to have made entire abstraction of self and my interests, to look after the welfare of Cuba; to have done harm to no one, but much good; far from having taken life, to have saved the lives of many, without distinction of nationality; to have respected always the property of others, and never have let my hand touch the incendiary torcbh 4_l. forward pacification, when I know that (nS; country needs it, and that, by it alone, 4gn tears, blood and destruction be preventer A if to have done all this constitutes treaeson, ah! then I am a traitor; yes, GentlQmbat, I am one and feel proud of it. * --- Your government claims to favor libeity for the country; why then does it not consent to freedoinm of ones principles? Why does it not admit of neutrality f Why does it force people to take up arms without distinction ofpersans f Why has it always been opposed to speaking out in public? Why did it oppose the countrjis acceptance, if it so chose, of General Dulcees concessions! Why does it persecute todeath, whoever tries to separate himself from said government, without having any intention of waging war against it I Why I I will tell you.. Because then there would remain in the camp of the insurrection only a dozen men; the only ones interested in the continuance of this war between brethren; this war of desolation and extermination. I agree that there was reason for the Cuban people to complain and be resentful against the government that ruled them; but all this has changed, not only with regard to the institution but as to the manner of being, as well. I am myself an example of what I state. I presented myself to the Captain General who received me in such a way as to prove, by his manner alone, his good wishes; even if these were not confirmed by the conduct which lie followed in the Villas and wherever he has been able to make the impress of his own feelings be felt. In his proclamation he offers a pardon to all who will present themselves; but as every medal has its reverse, so whoever fails to do so, must saffer the cold and inexorable rigor of the law. Fellow-countrymen, my brethren, let us throw a ve0A over the past. Let us look to the future of our families and to the prosperity of our nation. t. You know well how many persecutions, privations, and even vexations I have suffered. I forget it all and forgive, from my 'aeart, all who sought my death and wanted my blood. I forgive all who, directly or indirectly, have offended me, of whatever nation or condition they may be. I sacrifice all, all, on the altar of my country, and for the welfare of humanity. Why do you not follow my example? Brethren! let there be no more tears, no more blood, no more ruins! Return to your firesides and let a fraternal embrace unite forever both Spaniards and Cubans, and let us all together make of this beautiful Island, -the Pearl of the Antillafp-the Pearl also of the world. Cubans, I await you, and the undeserved consideration shown to me by the first authority at Cuba, which fortunately is held by Senor Don Antonio Caballero de Rodas, I offer to use in your behalf. For myself, I only seek the satisfaction of having always forwarded the welfare of Cuba. NAPOLEON ARANGO. March 28th 1870. * *... *.* * * 0 * 0O..**" **;:..- ~ *::. *-: *:: *::a UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 3 9015 02874 7007 F.175 Arango, Napoleon,A66 The Cuban Rebellion. Address.