One such hero is Jos6 Marti. statesman. teacher. thinker. and poet. whose patriotic ardor aroused in the hearts of his countrymen the will to be free. The people of the United States are deeply proud to call Marti their friend. His dream of a sovereign Cuban republic was born here. in New York City. Marti came to this country as a refugee after the devastating 10years war. He had been exiled from his beloved country because of his adamant revolutionary feelings and his avowed determination to fight for the cause of Cuban independence. In New York. he immediately set about his task of uniting the Cuban exiles. renewing the revolutionary spirit of his compatriots in Cuba. and drawing up a democratic constitution for his nation.