Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-05-09

IhE PLAf PROGRESSES.
While the people OF the South are eagerly ca!cula-
ting the chances of the war in Europe, und while our
representatives in Congress are busily projecting go
vernments for Il western wilderness, the drama OF
Cuban emancipation rapidly approaches lis catas'fo-
phe. There is no luck Of incident i'll the plo ana tc
play progresses without hHlt OF digression. Every
day brings some fresh development, which carries lis
step nearer the ultimate contamination. just now
we ear, that the Captain General of Cuba l" torty-
ing the island in anticipation Il" some important event
What do these unusual armanents hetoken They
Indicate the existence Of deep and pervnhnS spir oi
disafrection towards the Spanish dominion and they
betray an apprehension the part OF the Govern
ment of some sudden outbreak OF rebellion. Ihey
mean more. They betray the purpose of the Spanish
government, in the event Of an nsnrreiton Of The
Creole population To- proclaim the abolition of slave
rv and to give Cuba the alternative of Castilan or
African d,spotisn. The Captain General has or
gan=c t,co regiments of negro soldiers tro o"sn"a
men each contemplating the ultimate arning OF Tie
entire slave population.
But the most significant piece Of intelligence from
Spain, inasmucl it confirms this suspicion o plot
10 Africanize Cuba and shows with what energy the
design ia prosecuted s that which announces the pro-
mulration of decree for the registration of tho
slaves in the Island The Madrid correspondent Of
the London Times, atributing this regulation to the
"incessan importantly and active exertlons OF the
British Minister thus explains its design and opera
| ton:
| "Thc Gazette, speaking of the decrees, says The
sllece motives OF these decrecs the scarcity oi
labSrers in Cuba the desire of the Spanish govern
mcnt strictly to observe treaties to prevent trade IN
slaves and avoid disputes with England, and the wish
to increase the amount OF the islands pr"auGti1S
There will not be wanting persons who Will lo"k LOT
other motives behind these, and behold III the "DmIS
measures hint thrown out To the United Statca lh';
Spanish feeling with respect 10 Cuba IL, that II hisI
| either continue Spanish or become negro anu lna
they would sooner emancipa:c the blacks ana et 'he
island be converted into second San Domingo than
see il fall into the hands of the Americans In" pre-
scut dccrces seem to indicate seSirc 10 hcrcaSe INC
free population Of the ISLAND, perhaps as co',ct
noise 10 the American settlers and it may po-sibly
also have the effect Of improving the CONDITION. ah''
tightening the load of the negroes As regards put
ting All end tn the slave trade, that must always ue
pend more on the conscience OF tho Captnll.Gtuerai
| ior the time being, than on laws made Ill Madrid
When it is known that the immediate effect Of this
decree will be to cnancipate one half OF the slave
population of Cuba there no longer be any doubt
as 10 the policy of the Spanish Government or OF the
urgent necessity of somo OF prevention anu
resistance on the part Of the United States.
Spain feels that in the extremity Of inherent
weakness and decay, she must release her
hold OF Cuba, and she is resolved, like beaten
crew, to sink the ship rather than LET 1t fall III
10 the hands of the enemy. 1t is her purpose,
on the first indication of revolt TO let loose four nun
drcd thousand brutal slaves to desolae the is!;tnu
with fire and slaughter This is not conjecture but
the solemn declaration of the government.
Shall this government contemplate the progress
towards SO dreadful catastrophe with indifference,
and make no effort prevent it? When the deed Is
done, and dclugc Of blood the island, 1t may
not be possible in the midst of the riot and license OF
scrrilc insurrection, to discover and organize the
ecmcnts of socul ordor and political stability When
We come with our remedy, thero may be no breath
of life in the mutilated body of the victim. lhls
much il certain-if wepospone the conquest oi Iuoa
unti after a proclamation Of emancipation the re-e"-
tabshnent of slavery i'll the island VIII be u most
difficult if not an impossible achievement. congress
nny not intsr.eac to restore the Md"S q00 una 'ue
Badyer prorso may prevent the revival oi inc eoio
mini law Hence, the timely and energetic action oi
our government, or ta criminal apathy, must deter
mine whether the acquisition of Cuba is to be beS-
sing or q curse to the South
Snain hesitatcs perhaps refuses to make reparahon
for the Black Warrior outrage. The demands oi our
government are such as we represented them-indcm-
nitv for the past and security for the future The
delegation of adiplomatic authority the Captain Gen.
eral of Cuba is made sine qua non, and our govern
ment would be guilty of objectionable neglect if it re-
fused to insist upon so reasonable and so necessary
condition. Mr.. Soult will press these demands with
energy and spirit, and if repulsed ho will withdraw
from the Spanish Court. We eneed hardly suggest the
consequence of this step. The rupture Of diplomatic
relations with Spain will precpitatc the conquest OF
Cuba, and anticipate years oftedious negotiation.
Every event of the hour udmonshes Ills that before
the lapse of another year, tho destiny Of Cubn will be
determined forever A Democratic Administration
will not suffer an adverse solution Of this grave pro-
! blem.