New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-23
ST. THOMAS.
EMANCIPATION AND ITS RESULTS.
From Our Own Correspondent.

ST.. THOMAS, w. l., Saturday, Sept. O. 1854
The Danish Colonial authorities at present dis
pensing to the former proprietors Of slaves "com-
"pensaton" for the Losses they alege to have sns-
tanned by the oct of the Government emsncpating
the same in lsis. The claim OF compensation mas
been urged upon the home government ct dherent
times and in various ways since, and now after the
lapee Of six years. what s deemed but partial remu
neraton il granted. But before proceeding 10 con-
sder the terms OF compensation propose to glance
at the causes, obvious, probable, and suspected,
which led to emancipation in these ISLAM lie, and also
sketch briefly the history Of that event
Undoubtedly the leading cause was British Eman-
cipaiion in 1892. Up to that tine the system of
Slavery continued in its greatest strength and pros
perity. Although the Danish Government, az early
as 1892 leading the way for all nations, had de-
clsred the slave trade unlawful, and in 1903 sbol-
sbed it, az late even as 1887, and probably still
later slaves were introduced here secretly from the
Coast of Africa and from the peghbOring Island Of
Porto Rico. But from 1882 the slave interest and,
il Is but justice 10 add as consequence the agrcn-
tural interest in these Islands, began TO declns Inc
act Of the British Government could not fall 10 exert
q commanding moral influence throughout the CIVIL
lied world. That the greatest commercial nation on
the globe in all its distinguished for s obstinate
adhesion TO an advantageous commercial policy,
should at the ink Of aud desoation to some OF
her fares colonies have her conscience 90 FAR ope-
rated on, mainly by considerations Of justice AMI
philanthropy, as TO strike the chains from soo,oOy
slsyef was fact resistbly TO arrest The attention OF
both peoples and Governments everywhere, and Sc
cure serious and profound consideration upon the un-
righteousness and inhumaDity OF Slavery Inc as
cussous public and private which LED 10 thaI ACT
constituted an eyeDed Of emancipation to all ma
tions Its contamination encouraged and multiplied
the friends Of the slave in all lands. Diner ma
tons having slave colonies in these seas, and espe
ciaIly smaller and weaker Governments, conld not
fsil 10 perceive that tho total abolition OF Slavery
throughout the Wet Iudies would prove the logical
cons, quence Of this step by Great Brtain The Work
was now begun; and that imitation was but the be-
ginning of the end. Emancipation would henceiorth
be an open question. Agitation would not Ease, IN,
sure ctoDs would commercial influences would
operate, until they would be drawn into the traia o,
adopting in some form the policy viii IN England had
iDeugurated.
The secret disposition of monarehicsl governments
are not wont TO be betrayed by striking public acts
But the temper of the then existing Government Of
Denmark was soon believed to be such AS TO excite
the serious Jealousy OF the planters throughout inc
Islands. II s but natural to suppose that trsderch
VI who as early as 1892 had been the first to
declare the slave trade uDawfnl, ana VINO sun Sat
upon the throne should be inclined to follow the ex-
ample of Grsa Britain And Il Is wei, Kn1 now ana,
acceded, desired and fully intended emanclpaton'
That diplomatic influences were employed by En-
gland we cannot affirm. We only know that from the
period of 1882 till the present moment 1t has been
her nudable desire ana incessant endeaVOr 10 bring
about the universal abolition of African Slavery;
And we find it fixed belief here that she discharged
an important agency both with the home and colonial
governments in securing the result here.
We pass to consider the effect Of British Emsn-
cipation in The Colonies themselves and the causes by
that act put in operation which prepared the way for
the final result. So efficiently had these wrought,
that one not carefully tracing their silent operation,
and looking only at the depressed conditos OF the
estates and the diminished value of slave labor and
properly in ls4s, the of emancipation, would IN.
cline to the opinion that that step hal become neces
sty In the Of the syste and that Slavery had
expired by natural death.
As we have already s6d, Slavery still H0urisbet
here in 1882 But by giving freedom 10 100000
blacks, in islands scattered through these seas, an
some Of them but a few hours SAIL between which
and the Danish islands there had always been FREE
quont intercourse of free blacks and OF the slaves
then selves the system Of Slavery here essentially
disturbed. The wild delight with which nearly
million of slaves received their freedom proved inlec-
tjous 10 these and other communities sill held under
the power Of the taskmaster, and excited the hope
and resolve eventually TO enjoy the same boon. Free
dom became a fixed idea in the minds Of the slaves.
Indefinite and insane anticpati OF Its benefits were
cherished. Each successive year of prolonged bond.
age become more msupportable and begot the heart
sickness OF hope deferred. The forced LABOR under
which, in their ignorance Of better condition, they
had tamey submitted, became low irksome. The
heart went with he hand in evo of its labor or
in devotion TO the master. The mind became gra-
dually enlie hened to the unrghteousness of the
relation in which he held, sacrificed TO the in
terests and capcts of another and the whole nature
OF the slave rebelled. The natural consequence was,
that be longer loved his master but regarded him
as his only enemy, having entirely hostile III
terest. He no longer willingly obeyed hi q, aud only
watched his opportunity TO escape 10 some neighbor-
ing Island, where "saves cannot breathe Occs-
siobal escapes TO Tortola taught the masters that
their o.called property bad the quality ascrbed by
inspiration 10 all "rches" The state of things be-
came worse year by year. The slaves became more
bdoent faithless, obstinate and cunning 10 vex and
accomplish the ruin of their masters. Their labor
ceased to be remuDeratve. Their cash value fell by
half. The estates declined until the system be-
rIy hnr tn ha DasfA IrE
and haled TO the slave
From the moment British emancipation accom-
plished the of slaves in these islands felt that
the system here fated to fall. From that moment
distrust of the Home Govern nent prang up in their
breasts, and the idea gained firm possession of them
that the way was TO be gradually prepared for such
contamination, and that the first favorable opportunity
would be eagerly embraced. Acts of the local
thoros confirmed this belief Measures favorable to
the slave we're adopted, and the discipline of the
master no longer rgidly enforced so that he soon
found he would gain no assistance or sympathy from
the Government and that his wiser course was to get
along the best way he could without appealing to
calling in the aid Of the police, which had formerly
been done. Christian VIII. and Caroline, who
succeeded Frederick made secret of their wish to
nee the slaves In consequence of this ds'rust the
planters justly felt that their property in slaves
altogether insecure All motive hence enlarge and
improve their plantations and increase the number of
their slaves was taken away. On the other hand
Their endeavor was TO contract all and prepare them
selves for the inevitable change OF course fatal
palsy fell upon all plantation ope atoms under which
the estates rapidly declined. Thus all causes con-
spued TO render the planters not only acquescent in
whatever final measures the Government should :
adopt, but TO desire emancipation as a relief from
some at least of the evils of their deplorable condi-
ton.
Such was the position OF affairs in 1917, when /
romantic incident in the domestic life of the King
and Queen led 10 the adoption Of measure looking
60 fhA Az A sEa.w .l.l