The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-22

Howden tss, for the asst year, been engaged
in extricating tie emancipados Of Cuba--ne-
groes liberated under the mixed commission
sitting in Havana-about eight thousand in
number The arrangements made In Madrid
for the discharge OF these men from servitude,
were arrested ty the Captain General at Ha-
vana. because of some supposed disturbance
which their liberation might create in the
island. This, we presume, is the only founda-
ton for the stupid rumors circulated by the
Union and its dependent co-laborers,
That Lord Howden may have in view plan
for the gradual abolition of slavery in Cuba we
think quite possible. The question Is one Of
vast consequence to the United States; but adj
ditional Importance attaches to it from the pc
culiar relations known to subsist between the
cabinets of London and Paris on all questions
affecting the material inteJusts of the Anne
rican people. The Tripartite Treaty, SO re-
Gently proposed by those cabinets, and
rejected by Mr.. Fillmore's government, was
a part Of the original programme of operations
having IN view the defeat of any design on the
part of the United States for the acquisition Of
Cuba. We might go farther back, and refer to
the Quintuple Treaty, proposed by the great
Powers and intended by theCabinet of London
to combine all the strong governments of Europe
against this republic, to humble and cripple its
maritime energies, and to array against us a
force sufficient to overawe and paralyze our
people, 1t is well understood that Mr.. Cal
houns celebrated letter to Mr. King, then Anne
rican Minister in Paris, was written with d.
rect view Of throwing before the French people
the political and economical bearings OF the in
stitution of slavery upon the labor of the world,
and to open their eyes to the designs of Great
Britain in her persistent efforts to abolish
slavery in the United States and in the West
Indies Mr. Calhoun saw in these designs only
a purpose to affect iDjuriously the material in
terests of this continents purpose so steadily |
pursued by the British government, and every
day rendered more and more apparent The
result Of the Mexican war, which enabled us to |
extend our possessions to the Pacific, and to hold
absolute commercial dominion on that ocean;
the vast increase of our power and its positive
influence upon European dplomacy-the rejec
ton Of the Tripartite Treaty and the probable
absorption of Cuba at an early day; the weak
ness and almost certain decline of Mexico and
the consequent extension of our territory in
that direction the close intimacy of the cabi-
nets of London and Paris render it extremity
probable that there is in contemplation treaty
between England and Spain, by which the latter
power proposes to abolish slavery in the Island
Of Cuba.
We leave out Of view all discussion Of the |
effect upon the human family Of the proposed
abolition of slavery in Cuba. Whether its
burthens are to be removed or not by it
whether Cuba itself is to be thus benefited in
its general industry--whether the people Of that
island are or are not in favor of such plan OF
gradual emancipation, to be worked out under
the existing Spanish rule-all these things
have little bearing upon the question, so far as
it is viewed by the American people. 1t is
with us political and not an economical prsb-
lem. 1t is crisis in our foreign relations, in
which is presented proposition having the
concurrence, in our judgment, of all the great
Powers to interfere directly with the institu-
ton of slavery in the United States. 1t is in
vain that England tells us that such treaty
has no reference to the question of sovereignty
in Cuba; that it has no bearing upon the insti-
buttons of the United States. They might
as well block up the Gulf Of Mexico, and in
form us that we can find an easy outlet north |
ward for our produce, by railroads and canals
thr ough the plains and the lakes. They might as
well demand the possession Of our forts on the
seaboard, or attempt to convince us OF the utter
folly Of maintaining our navy, on the plea that
neither the one nor the other will ever be ne
cessary in defence or aggression. The gradual
emancipation of Cuban slaves, under the pro-
lection OF England is substantially the con-
quest of that island by her. By it Spain sur
renders her sovereignty as surely as if she had
ceded the territory itself The practical effect
of such a STEP If recognized and permitted by
the American people, is not only to place the
island in the hands of a hostile power, but ac-
tually to build up upon our Southern borders
government whose very Office it will be to as
sail the institutions of the United States
This question is not one strictly connected
with American slavery. That institution, re-
cognized by the constitution, is regarded as a
salient point and it is to it that our enemies
have directed their batteries. The object to be
affected is this great fabric of freedom the
government of the United States; and it is be-
lieved that it can be done more effectually--
and in that way only-through slavery than in
any other. To this end Sir Robert Peel JUS
tilted the indemnifcation Of proprietors in Ja-
maica in the emancipation project Of that
island The sacrifice thus, even of British in
terests became necessary, in order to reach the
American government. Granting that Lord
Hovden has advanced the project of emancipa-
ton in Cuba, as he and his government had
right to do and that the second part OF the
Jamaica drama is about being acted in the
former island, what have we to interpose
against it? We have long enough dealt in
What tho