The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-05-03
Black Warrior Affair in England.

Black Warrior Affair in England.
From the London Gazette. Aprii7.l
Some very unjustifcable proceedings
towards an American ship-the Black
Warrior-by the Spanish authorities at
Havana. have led to demand for repara.
ton from the American Government.
couched, as we may suppose, in no very
conciliatory language; and, unless the re.
paration be as amply made as it is i'm
perative!y demanded. there is prospect
of declaration Of war on the part oi
the Union against Spain; indeed, it has
been hinted in the American papers. that
such result is likely to follow. Hence,
Cuba would be invaded; and. once it be
acquired by legitimate conquest, accord.
ing to the law Of nations and the rules Of
war, il is very certain that il would never
again be surrendered to the Spaniards.
Should the Government OF the United
States entertain this intention, the time
is very favorable for the design; as, in all
probability, England and France will be
too much engaged in the present war to
pay any attention to so dishonored a
country as Spain, and its slave-impor,ing
colony Of Cuba.
Politically, it would be wrong to allow
the United States to possess this island; |;
bu, morally and commercially. it can
not too soon change masters. At the
same time we would rather see II in the
hands Of country that neither dealt in
slaves nor tolerated slavery. So long as
Cuba remains under the Government oil
Spain, we never expect to see it other
than it is-the- great slave focus Of the
world. The reason is obvious; all the
great men Of Spain-and, if report may
be credited, the great women, too-are
engaged in this trade. They are acces.
sories to the crime. both before and after
the fact; it is in this nefarious traffic they
embark what capital they have; they lux.
uriate in the blood and torture Of their
fellow creatures. II is in vain that the
Governors Of Cuba are frequently changed;
each successive Governor accepts, per.
hsps solicits the office, for the express
purpose Of making his fortune by coun.
Itsnancing the slave trade. The subiec,
was brought before the House OF com.
mons, few evenings since. by Sir G. r
Pechell, the member for Brighton, when
he took the opportunity Of exposing the
scandalous and open manner in which
the slave trade is carried on in the island
with the connivance, if not under the pat.
ronage, OF the local authorities. In con.
irmation of what Sir G. r. Pechell said
Sir James Graham informed the House
that even the Spanish mail packets were
in the habit Of bringing cargoes Of slaves
10 the island. which, from the convenient
port il afforded for this traffic, escaped the
| vigilance OF the British cruisers.
That Cuba will be added TO the do.
minion Of the United States, we conside,
q matter Of certainty, and, setting aside
the policy OF the question, it will be 9
fortunate event for civilization and hu
manity. Spain is now the only country
which still clings TO the slave trade. i
no longer exists in the Brszilian domin.
ions, and there is every reason to suppose
that, were il not for the Island OF Cuba
the horrid traffic would soon be extinc
Throughout the world. Spain has been
largely paid by this country, with the hope
that il would, in accordance with the
treaties it had made with US. abandon the
/ trade. Ii has never shown the least dis
position to do so; on the contrary, We
believe that British money has often proved
stimulent to the traffic. by furnishing
the means.ior carrying it on. When w
find an object on which Britain has ex
/ pended so much money. and on the &C
complishment Of which the national feel
ings are SO much engaged, defeated b!
such a country as Spain--a country which
has neither moral worth or political in
fluence TO command respect or considera
tion--we cannot but regard its reverse'
in this instance with satisfaction"