The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-12
CUBAN AFFAIRs-PosITIoN OF THE UNITED
& STATES. M

seem, from the statements of the Prime Minis
ter, LUzURiAGA, that the plot was more formi-
dable than any preceding one; that it received
ITS first impulse from the United States, and
was sustained by an extensive organization
among us; that the first blow was to be struck
the moment the result of Mr.. Soule's mission
should be known; that the conspiracy was to
be aided by a .flidustering expedition, nth
four steamers, and bands Of adrenturers from
the United States, under the command of Gen.
eral Quitman, assisted by Henderson and KIN
, ney, the Government and People Of this country
meanwhile being deceived by representations
that IL acas intended for the colonization of
Central America; and, finally, that all the
consprators arrested aoere acknowledged parti-
sans of the maintenance Of Slarery.
In connection with the disclosure of the last
named fact, the correspondents of the French
journals state that M. Lalzuriaga took occa-
sion to declare that the policy of the Govern
ment now is, to put end to the system of
Slavery, and they congratulate the Spanish
Cabinet on this bold step, so much in harmony
with the spirit of the age. The Madrid cores
pondents of the London journals confine the
declaration of the Minister to the rigid sup
preston of the slave trade, so that the position
of the Spanish Government on the subject is
vet in doubt. The National Isteliigencer could
! not believe the report in the French journals !;
/ it seemed to be shocked at the bare idea of
Emancipation in Cuba, not on its own account,
bat, probably, from an apprehension of the
terrible effect it might have in arousing the in
dignation of the South There are some edit
ors who cannot get over the notion that the
wrath of the shareholders is very fearful
thing. 1t was but too happy, day or two
after the reception of the first reports, to re-
publish an article from La CrOnica, Spanish
journal, printed at New York, containing what
pnrports to be correct version of the remarks
of M. Luzuriaga. The following extract is all
that relates to Slavery:
"The principle we have to guard against,
Seniors, is that spirit which has sprung up in a
few turbulent individuals, of annexation to a
| neighbOring State. But, sirs, this would not
be dangerous in its tendency, were it not asso-
ciated with another idea. Along with the idea
of annexation, that of its being the mean, of
securing the continuance of Slavery in the
ISLAND is always present. This is not lost sight
of, nor is it forgotten that the landed estates,
and their cultivation, which form the sole, the
great wealth of that island, depend upon Sla-
very, and that consequently, when this princi-
pie is endangered, the holders of property must
be alarmed
"Sirs, where Slavery is discussed, sentiments
of philanthropy and other considerations insep-
arabic from the subject, are excited. But it is
necessary to bear in mind one thing and that
is, that the Island of Cuba can nerer cease to be
an integral part Of the Spanish territory Jut
| by one of t,co modes: either by emancipation,
which would be the complete determination of
the white race-that is, of all the Spanish, and
natives of the island who derive their origin
from Europe-or by annexation, and by that,
those who hold Slavery most in adherence
would not succeed in securing its extinction.
| Her Majesty's Government, sirs is resolved,
therefore, to maintain those treaties which pro-
hbit the trade in negroes, and TO execute them
with good faith and sincerity, with an assurance
| that they not only are, but will continue to be,
enacted vigorously and faithfully. But, at the
same time, sirs, her Maesty's Government en-
tertains the most thorough conviction that Sla-
very is necessity, and condition indispensa-
BILE to the maintenance of the landed property
in the Island of Cuba, and it has been willing
to anticipate the feelings of the Deputies, by
tgiving to those nations and the property-hold-
ers of the island the assurance that it has not
entered into the mind of anybody to touch this
| principle"
! The New York Tribune suggests that the
Spanish and London Journals, aware of the
state of feeling in this country, may have been
led to present this version of the Minister'S re-
marks, so that the Spanish Government might
the more easily carry out quietly its real policy
| of Emancipation; but the suggestion is hardly
| credible. Spain, by Treaty stipulations with
| Great Britain, is bound to suppress the slave
| trade and to enforce the liberation of Africans
imported into the island in violation of those
stipulatons. The number of these is so large
that their liberation must greatly reduce the
slave population, weaken the power of the
Slave Interest, and prepare the way for Eman-
cipation. Now, the presumption is, that the
| Spanish Ministry, shrinking from any decisive
| movement, or even declaration, calculated to
alarm and ALLEVIATE the property-holder of
Cuba is nevertheless seriously resolved on
the suppression of the slave-trade, and on the
Acknowledgement of the Emancisados, ,ciM an
| ultimate rieo to the extinction Of Slarery en-
tertained, but not avowed. This, it seems to
US, is the real position of the Cabinet at Madrid,
and it is doubtless understood by the partisans
Of Slarery in the island. They see causes at
work, looking towards the abolition of Slavery );
they are distrustful Of the secret intentions of
the Home Government; they know that Eman-
clpation is the settled policy of European Ma
tlons; that Spain stands among them, the
prominent exception; that her close allies
England and France, are continually urging
her to adopt the Principle they have themselves
carried out in their colonies; and they know
not what moment the decisive step may be
taken. This is at the bottom of their anxiety
for annexation to this country. In some of
their publications, that have come under our
| notice, these considerations have been urged,
as conclusive reasons in favor of the measure,
and the American Union is pointed to as the
last, impregnable bulwark Of Slavery. Need
we be surprised at the statement of LUzURI-
AGA, that "aU the conspiratOrs arrested acre
the acknowledged partisans Of the maintenance
Of Slarerys" or the fact, notorious to the
world, that the partisans of Slavery in this
country are the controlling spirits of all our
Filibustering Expeditions? Men do not like
to acknowledge to mankind, or to their own
hearts, that they are actuated by selfish motives,
by reasons which the Civilization of their age
condemns. Hence, the leading conspirators in
Cuba, and their sympathizers in this country,
J talk of the despotism and cruelty of the Span