CAMAGÜEY.- Usually the term “epic” comes with a memorable campaign or military action of high repercussion. The celebration of the Jimaguayú Assembly, from September 13^th to the 18^th, 1895, was not one of those amazing victories won by the mambí army thanks to the courage shown on the battlefield. It did not mean the triumph after the hand-to-hand combat or after the crossfire. However, in this meeting the seeds for a successful war against the Spanish metropolis were planted and served for the continuity of the foundational process of the future Republic of Cuba.

For the locals in Camagüey, the honor of the meeting was double. Besides serving as the hosting jurisdiction of such an important event, it rendered a heartfelt tribute to the figure of Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz, since they chose the meadows where he died during a combat on May 11^th, 1873, as the place to session.

The lack of unity had been, for the Cuban hosts, an Achilles heel in the Ten Year War. With the purpose of avoiding the appearance of this bad symptom, the Cuban patriots faced, in a single soul, the recently started campaign qualified as Necessary by our National Hero José Martí.

One of the solutions to favor the common course of action of the Liberating Army, during the war conflict was to form a government without the power to interfere in the military issues, that would fuse the legislative and executive powers. This decision dismissed the idea of a new chapter for the House of Representatives, that had left a body of unfavored experiences in the previous campaign.

The adoption of a coherent strategy for the fight in course, besides evidencing a breakthrough in the hopes of the Cuban ranks, demonstrated the patriotic impulse committed to the cause and the firm intention of separating Cuba of the Spanish monarchy and its creation as an independent State, as stated in the introduction of the Constitution.

The liberal tracks of Jimaguayú marked, deeply, our pages. In them it was reflected the balance between the civilian and the military command, aspired by José Martí, and the signature of a Magna Carta impregnated the republican and legal spirit of the insurgency. Under its tenets the desired invasion to the East was finally completed – October 22^nd, 1895 to January 22^nd, 1986 -, lead by the General Máximo Gómez and the Bronze Titan, Antonio Maceo.

The historical encounter had great strengths that made it superior to the one carried out in Guáimaro, in April 1869. But there were also gaps. One of the most hurtful ones was the establishment of a war secretary that caused obstacles, in the performing of functions, to the general in chief of the mambi army, Máximo Gómez.

Another of the cracks was the approval of the Council of Government to effect promotions from colonel to mayor general. The decision overlooked the authority of Gómez and urged the officers to watch out for the ups and downs that may happen, at governmental behest, instead of winning the military ranks on the battlefield.

Even the sun has stains and, thankfully, we have to admire its light, as our Apostle taught us well. The Jimaguayú Assembly is precisely one of those events that have left more clarity than shadows. It lives still in memory because of the political maturity and the objective vision demonstrated by the Cuban leaders to accomplish sovereignty, for the simple intention of showing courage, audacity and enough will to build the epic in our history.

Translated by Elianna Diaz Mendieta