The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-27

minister has justly excited much interest throughout the
country. 1t will be remembered that vital discrepancy
existed between the reports publshedone stating
that il was the slave trade which be abolished the
other that slavery itself In the eager excitement
which pervsded the country different parties gave eredenoe
TO that construction which best suited their own views
seemed consistent with Spanish policy II has even
been stated that NJ Luzuraga in bis speech did declare
against slavery but the day induced by those
around him. who knew what feelings II would arouse in
the United States to his guns against the trade
hence the discrepancy between the reported speech and the
authorized official version. While public opinion was
thus divided gave it opinion that far as the
Arcanization of Cuba concerned il made differ
ence which version the true
To make evident the force Of this opinion il proper
that we should review the facts upon which it rests.
Through long series of years Spain has maintained her
dominion Cuba by the harshest military despotsm
II has been desposm which only robbed the people
of the fruits of their labor but salked into every depart
men of life Espionage, suspicion midnight search sud
den imprisonment DEATH and eoncaon marked Its daily
history Nor is this ALL The white inhabitants in Cuba
number about six hundred thousand or these
than fifty thousand Spanish Spain in her dstrus Of
the Creole population and regarding the island only
rich field for spolaon has excluded them from any
participation in its government. Its whole machinery has
been the hands of Spanish officials, who backed by
regular army pundered and oppressed without response
by or mercy.
ties with England free all slaves imported into the island
since 1921 abolish the slave trade Maintained the
institution was Cuba the PRONUNCIATION of these treaties
panic throughout the island They felt that to carry
them into effect would be virtually abolish slavery and
desoate their property and homes. IL stirred naturally
enough spirit OF evaporation among people who felt
that this was be the for long years of patient sub
mission to exaction and tyranny, and from mother
Try too whose Golfers they had supplied and saved from
bankruptcy The whole scheme originated in the hostility
of England towards the United States She had prac-
tised upon the weakness and financial isortunes Of Spain
until she became her creditor for hundreds Of mill
lions OF dollars and used her power to force Spain
into policy hostile From the date of those treaties
to the present time, England has omitted threat
nor persuasion to press their execution upon Spain AT
one time appealing to her pride of dominion Lord
Palmerston in 1851, urged Africanzation the best
means TO defeat annexation TO the United States AT
other arguing with her fears Lord Clarendon, in 1853
tells the Spanish that unless il f its trea
ties aud suppresses the slave trade England will not aid
her in maintaining her American possessions She thus
pursued towards Spain of naked treachery She
knew what emancipation had worked in St Domingo, and
her island jamaica and still protesting friendship
Spain, she urged upon her policy which would bring
ruin upon colony this to thwart the United
States in their supposed designs.
But not alone did England eagerly anticipate and the
Cubas remble the certainty Of emancipation should
these treaties be fulfilled The government of the United
States the result Mr. Soul6, in his letter of
December 80 1853 says The slave trade is to be stopped
England has succeeded in forcing the Spanish government
to the admission that all Africans imported into the island
since 1921 are to considered berado enranchised
If the admission is gidl acted upon Cuba has ceased
have slave and the dream o. Lord Palmerston has be-
reality
But besides these causes tending to the abolition Of
slavery in Cuba there Others to be lost sight
The apprentice system has been urged upon Spain by Eng
land and partially adopted, the effect of which, in the
language Of Mr. Marcy his letter of Sd April 1854 to
Mr. Soule f it should be gone into extensively and
ried out in good faith will inevitably Africanze the island
Messrs Buchanan Mason Soue credit the existence of
such system in their Ostend letter. and the official organ
of Havana declared that the government bent upon
carrying it and abosbing slavery Nor these all
the pers which threatened slavery in the island of Cuba
BY law of the island any slave purchase his freedom
by his labor; and this privilege has been
sivey used that the free population which ordinarily
very slowly has in the last years increased Is
per cent.
Here then, four cause.-the abolition of the slave
trade the bertado system the apprentice system and the
emancipado sysemal tending to the overthrow of sla
very Cuba and its horrible train of beggary and bar
barism What could be expected, under such crcumsan
ce discomfort and rebellion Crushed and kept down
as they by military force the Creoles of Cuba still
manifested estiveness under the yoke and the
Spanish government in the pertinacy of despotism by
constant renforcements strengthened its power the
island appointed rulers relentless than ever and in
creased the burdens of the people of Cuba SO greatly
have this alienation and the expenses incident to main
tanning her dominion, been augmented that the sever
faithful island which yielded millions Of
SPAIN is annual to her treasury Of 100000
But the did not stop here The proximity of Cuba
to United States their ercal intercourse the
noyances and delays TO which American has
ever subjected the belief that great benefits would
suit from annexation and thousand other considerations
have produced among the inhabitants of both countries
feeling of interest And the which led
discomfort among the Cubans have excited indignation
in the United States Attenuation has been re-
garded in this country but especially in the southern
States stab at the prosperity of the Union and the
existence Of slavery has been too repeatedly reproba
ted by government Thus evaporation under opprcs
sion and dread Of emancipation the side and in
dgnaon policy hostile the other, have gone
hand bringing the Spanish control Cuba to
its present position OF anxiety aud peril Threatened with
revolt home aud invasion from abroad, the Spanish gov
eminent realizes for the FIRST time the recoil Of its
actsnot indeed remote bot imminent and progressive
What does il pursued 1t holds out TO the slave
of Cuba the that slavery safe by this
it hopes quiet all fears and dissatisfaction in Cuba and
dsarm the people Of the United States Of their chief
OF sentiment VIII II effect either? We believe not
In tho FIRST place SPAIN while making this declaration
bias not removed single which before threatened
the existence slavery in Cuba Her treaties with Eng
land are sti in force and England sl presses their