Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-22
FROM THE UNION OF THURSDAY.
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The rumors which have prevailed for some time as to
the interference of Great Britain in the slavery question
in Cuba revived with circumstances Of confederation
80 strong that there is but little left for doubt
their truth It has been about twelve years. if
mory is not at fault since Sir Robert Peel justified the
propositions to indemnify the of slaves in Jamaica
for their emancipation, upon the ground that the
sure Of aboshing slavery in that island would exert
influence upon this continent and that twenty millions
Of pounds sterling would be well spent for such OBJ
ject That policy, believe, has been steadily pur
sued by the British Government, and is actually
consummated is about being consummated, in the
Gcheme of introducing apprentices from Africa into Cuba
with the consent of Spain and under the protection Of
British shpsofwar be worked for years slaves
with the further agreement that slavery shall cease to
exist in the island at the end of fifty years. We have
to believe from private advces from Havana,
that wealthy Spaniards in Cuba negotiating for
the sale Of African apprentices at fixed prices in anti
cpation of importaons for which arrangements have
been made with the Government Of Madrid and sanction
ed and guaranteed by the British Government. In that
spirit Of open spoken freedom which ought be the ru
ing characteristic of American press deem it our
duty call the attention Of the American people to the
information derived from these significant facts 1t be-
US to survey them with calmness and determine
ton We would not indulge in passionate denunciaton
but would speak would have Government
10 act, Win promptneSs, nrInneSSt ana energy
As question of humanity the practical execution Of
the scheme Of Africanzing Cuba is revolving human
1t has but be looked in this point of view
see in ii revival in its hdeous FORM Of the slave
trade Let il be remembered that the condition of the
prentice for the years Of his suvtude to be stripped
OF those features in the slavery of the United States
which make humanity Of object Of interest
well of duty the The apprentice is to be
sold into bondage for ten years. and during that period
is to be subjected to such system Of labor and reatmen
will prove most profitable the cxactons of unfeel
ing avarce Ten years Of such bondage win be infinitely
than lifetime Of hreescore years and ten Of the
slavery which exists in Southern States Ten years
will become the limit OF physical capabiity in the APP
prentice and If he survives this limit with life it will
only be his lot TO take his freedom with capacity
enjoy It, On the mere question Of humanity, the senti-
ment Of the civilized world ought rise up and denounce
1T as teo shockingly barbarous TO be tolerated.
But il is our duty to look at the in it's in
tended and its probable bearing upon national inter
ests and in this point Of view it presents question of
momentous magnitude. Forming opinion upon we'll
authenticated historical facts justified in attrbu
ting to Great Britain now the same motive which Sir
Robert Peel avowcd in regard to the abolition Of slavery
in Jamaica-the motive Of exertpg influence the
institutions OF the United States If that motive suf
hceDy strong in regard to Jamaica to induce so dstin-
gushed British statesman to advocate an expenditure
OF twenty miilions OF pounds, how much potent
may we not suppose the nducement TO be rs to the Ar
canzaton Of Cuba But the question is not confined in
its range to the probable influence which nation Of free
negroes may exert upon the institutions of the Southern
States aud consequently upon the integrity of our Fede
raj Union. Viewed in this light, the efficient action Of
Government is invoked by the obvious principles
Of selfprcservation.
Bearing in mind that this movement originates with
at least all Of its hopes Of to- the
sells and the interference of Great Britain cannot
avoid the conclusion that 1t is to be under the
guarantees of the British navy it must be made efec-
tual by continued British protectorae the Island
of Cuba The effect is the transfer Of Cuba from Spain
to Great Britain, making it substantially British instead
of Spanish province colony In this aspect Of the
oase the decided action Of Government is demanded
by that universally approved American sentiment which