The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-06

first occasion on which his services were really
needed by his country, we find him creating
rurnpus out of which it is hardly possible that
any good can come. An adroit diplomatist,
dealing with 30 simple case as that OF the
Black Warrior, and opposed to such incapable
antagonists az the present Ministry OF Spaln' !
might easily have succeeded in effecting salts
factory settlement Of the difficulty. IL mnF
yet be premature to say that NJ Soule 'sas
failed; but it is certain that he has commenced
the negotiation at great disadvantage, and that
that disadvantage arose mainly from his own
defects of character.
In the second place, we can no longer douot,
from The language Of the DEGREES recently pro-
muigated in reference to the condition OF the
elases in Cuba, that British influence is once
mere paramount in Spain. 1t will be remem-
'be.ed that shortly after the declaration OF war
by France and England, some sert of applica-
ton was made to Spain for an expression OF
active or passive sympathy with their cause
The reply was not considered satisfactory by
the British government; and retort, throwing
in the teeth of Spain the voluntary protfer OF
British and French protection for Cuba, ap-
peared in the British journals. The Spanish
premier Sartorius is probably anxious to re-
move the unpleasant feeling to which this
occurrence may have given rise, and has
accordingly adopted scheme whose pa-
ternity is considered to belong to Lord
Howden. On the face of it, it seems to be
nothing more than fresh guarantee for the
suppression Of the slave trade. Spain requires.
that all the slaves in the island shall be regis
tered and refuses register to any negro
freshly imported from Africa. She declares
that after a certain date all the negroes found
on the island without registers shall be free.
At the same time, in order to prevent the sud-
den decrease of the slave population, provi-
sions are inserted in the DEGREES for the pur-
pose of encouraging negro marriages. OF these
enactments the last is the most Important. If
it were sincere, the others would mean nothing
new. Unfortunately no one who is conversant
with the tenor of British policy in relation to
slavery can suppose for an instant that any
British ministry would assume the paternity of
measure designed to facilitate the increase of
slavery in Cuba. The provisions respecting
inserted to conceal the real purpose Of the de-
crees. Even were they intended to be really
carried into effect, it is quite obvious that
nothing is further beyond the reach of legisla-
ton than the object they apparently seek. 1t
has been proved over and over again that no
such laws can operate to swell the ordinary in
crease Of any race.
Setting this provision aside, therefore, as in
sincere and unreal, the others are revealed in
the light of disguised measures of abolition. 1t
is quite clear that in many cases slavesIwill not
be registered and equally so that as the
British authorities in the island are sure to have
a hand in the execution of the DEGREES, a large
number of slaves will be emancipated, under
their operation, through the neglect Of their
owners or some fraud of their own. By this
means the long cherished object Of the British
government will be attained and o large free
negro population settled in Coba 1t remains
fer us to meet these schemes in the manner
l. they deserve.
=, Lac SPIRIT RAPpERs AS EPIDEMIC MEDIA
| That learned body, the American Association
ofSs,ence, have made great discovery (which
throws perfect flood of light upon the hitherto
\ mysterious spirit rapping phenomena Accord
] ing to these learned pundits, the deluson is an
| epidemic, governed by the same natural laws as
tie cholera, yellow fever, or any other disease
| OF the sst,e nature, which is extended by con-
| tagion ORG peculiar combination of atmospheric
gases. New, we are obliged to the Tbebans
who lately.lat in the convention at Washington,
eyer for the hypothesis; but we are sorry to
| hat lay bov a1xy 1,;J
a series Of propositions wholly unsupported by
tangible proofs, and that again following out
their tir,e-honoced custom, they have been salts
fed with doing their best to brighten the people
into consalsions, without making any arrange
ments to bring them out again.
| We would respectfully inquire of the scien-
tific sarans why they do not suggest remedy
for the "epidemic9' Learned physicians
when they describe cholera as an epidemic, give
US reason and remedy, and so with similar
matters. Now, let the Professors put their
heads together, and give us remedy for the
| spirit rapping epidemic. Judge Edmonds would
| doubtless give himself up AS a subject for ex-
pertinent; and by course Of fimigaton, cold
| bathing head shaving, &C., &c, what wonderful
results might ensue
We commend this subject TO The attention of
Esose spiritual leaders who have small
modicum of sense remaining, and suggest COM
mittee Of conference with the philosophers of
the Scientific Convention. Let MS have some
quick drug for the rappers"
MAY ANNIVERSARIES. = These anniversaries
are usually celebrated early in May, and the