The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-20

-
SAsesmea. e.
If II be possible 90 throw additional light on
the condition Of Cuba--if any reasonable man
can entertain the slightest particle of doubt as
to the dealings of the Spanish officials, and the
progress OF the slave trade-we shall not regret
the large space we have elsewhere devoted to
Cuban correspondence and statistics. To those
who have attentively perused the accounts we
have published from time to time, of the land
ing Of cargoes of slaves, with the connivance of
the Captain General, fresh details of similar oc-
currences will convey no new information.
Our Cuban intelligence of to-day will only &C
quaint them with the fact that the state Of
things against which we have ceaselessly ex-
claimed, for the last two years, exists unaltered
at the present moment-that no change for the
better, and possibly none for the worse, has
taken place-that vessels are monthly des-
patched to the coast of Africa. to seize and kid
nap the defenceless natives-that thousands Of
negroes are thrust into the holds of these
slavers. subjected to such inhuman treatment,
and supplied with such inadequate food and air,
that large proportion invariably die on the
age-that the survivors are landed on the
coast of Cuba, in the dominions of power
pledged to suppress the traffic, with the full
knowledge and corrupt sanction of the official
authorities-that the representative Of the Spa
nsh crown with the knowledge and con-
sent of his masters, derives an income
from this deliberate violation Of the faith Of
professionally. that upwards Of 5000 slaves
having been landed in Cuba since the first Of
January-are facts established beyond the pos
sibility of doubt. 1t is now also ascertained,
with equal certainty, that neither diplomatic
remonstrances at headquarters, nor local super
vision by vessels of war, nor even the terrors
Of retributive justice in the shape of foreign
invasion, are of the slightest avail in recalling
the Cuban authorities to sense of honor and
good faith. Friendly counsels from allied
powers angry notes from Lord Palmerston,
threatening messages from Lord John RUSSELL
remorseless vigilance and severity on the part Of
the British men of war, flibustero activity and
daring, and other ominous portents on this side
the water. have not for one moment arrested
the lawless career of the authorities, or awaken
ed the Spanish government to perception Of
its danger
1t is utter folly to shut ones eyes to these
facts absolute insanity to expect that con-
tinuance of the same measures which have
failed so signaly during the last two years, will
hereafter prove more effectual. As reasonably
might we place reliance on the word of honor
of the Captain-General If the Cuban slave
trade is to be suppressed, it must be assaled
with new weapons. and a new system of
tactics.
Acting on this persuasion, the British gov
eminent are endeavoring to organize an inter-
nal opposition to the slave trade in the island of
Cuba itself They do not address the Creoles,
who alone ought to decide the matter, but they
call upon the Captain-G General and authorities
to grant to the 100000 negroes, who are techni-
oally termed emancipados, the full rights Of
freemen and citizens. For the demand they
have tolerably substantial pretext in a treaty
formerly extorted from Spain by Great Britain.
To grant it, would OF course, be equivalent to
the island to the blacks who
would promptly expel the Spanish, and erect q
second Hayti at our doors. That this scheme
would attain the proposed end, there can be lit
lie room for doubling Unfortunately, its effects
would not stop here. A black empire Of Cuba
could be nothing but a protectorate of Great
Britain and the most superficial glance at our
geographical position and institutions must at
once point out to British statesmen that we
could not if we would, tolerate its establish
nent. Hayti, as caricature of monarchy.
IN
ustrate the impracticability OF negro indepen-
deuce in America. may be allowed to complete its
ephemeral career as lesson for the instruction of
but Cuba. with its inexhaustible re-
sources and rich soil, the key of the guilt and
the watch set by nature on the great southern
outlets Of our country. would wear very DIFF
ferent aspect if its possession were surrendered
to 500 600 blacks. Mere selfprotecton would
oblige US to undertake its conquest. Common
prudence would dictate the necessity of remov-
ing so dangerous a neighbor from the vicinity
Of the Southern States No form ofgovernment
or constitution could alter the case. 1t would
be out Of the power of the enaancipados or their
reconcile us to tolerate black empire within
three Gays sail OF our coast. or to allow the key
of the Southern ports to pass into other hands
than our own. If the negroes could summon
all the powers of Europe to their aid, it would
not change our dispositions. A war with Eng
land we should deeply regret as dire Gala
nifty; but even that would be preferable to the
other alternative. A due regard to our own
safety would, in fact, leave us no option
Some other means Of curing the evil
must be devised. A scheme which will eff
fectually eradicate the slave trade, without
running Great Britain, or jeopardizing her
relations with foreign countries, is now the
great desideratum which British ingenuity
is eagerly seeking We shall be glad to hear
the result of their investigations. The subject
is one in which we tuke as lively an interest as