The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-16


Europe have abandoned the policy in relation to
the African slave trade which England initiated
at the Congress of Vienna, and which for more
than halt a century has been the theme and aim
of seli-etyled philanthropists everywhere.
The Leon Espdnol-the organ of Marshal Mar
vaez announces that Cuba, Through an adequate
supply of labor in the future, will recover from
the evils inflicted upon her agriculture by the
! [slave trade] treaties of 1917 and 1885," The
London Times tells us that mot only the British
| colonies, but even those American States which
have, to their credit abolished slavery altogether
will find it advantageous to bring over Afri-
cans" under some system Of apprenticeship or
| contract And the Asem6lse Natonale of Paris,
grsvely states that the French Secretary Of the
Navy has contracted with Messrs Regis of Mar
eilles, to 'send sixteen hundred Africans to Mar
Unique and Guadalupe this year," and they may
hereafter be obliged to send twenty thousand.
This is the retroactive effect of fifty years pur
suit Of abolitiopism- Hayt, Jamaica and the
French West Indies, subjected to the erroneous
social and economical theories Of school of mis-
taken bunanitarians, have exhibited continuous
OSNuy, WuA1c tAC WOAiO, III AtS pTORTtbS,
was demanding from them an increase of indus.
trial energy. AS it Is now the fashion to phrase
it in commercial circles. consumption has over
taken production, and Europe must have more
cotton, sugar, coffee, rice, and "other articles Of
almost the first necessity to European life" The
argument that is now adduced to sustain this
abandonment Of errors that have been so long
maintained, is forcibly put by the London Times.
In substance it is this:-While We have been de-
handing from the tropical communities an in
crease of their staples Of production, we have
been striking at the root of that production by
depriving them of their supply of labor from
Africa; we have sought to destroy slave labor
without finding substitute; this was an omission
in our policy which has nearly proved fatal, and
we must now destroy slavery in America by sup
plying it with free negroes, under contract, Or as
apprentices.
This abandonment of erroris homage to the
truth, but it is not an acceptance of the truth.
The world requires an increased supply Of the
products Of the tropics. But how is this to be
procured? The white man will not 90 there in
large numbers to found prosperous communities
based upon his own labor Not only are the eli
mate influences destructive Of his energies there.
but deadly fevers await him. Besides, under the
stimulus of tropical rains and tropical sun, the
power of the forest growth is developed with a IA
pidity and luxuriance that can be overcome only
by the action Of men in masses combined with
capital and directed by the highest human intelli-
gence. These are conditions to which the white
man will not willingly submit, for they are the
conditions that constitute African slavery. Born
in climate favorable to the exercise of his ply.
steal powers, he j. crowned with an intellect capa-
bic, as yet, Of unlimited individual! development,
and he consequently seeks those regions that offer
the best theatre for bis individual advancement
Yet civilization requires that the fertile soils of
the tropics must be cultivated; and if the white
man will not or cannot do it, others must.
1t was this necessity that first gave rise to Afr-
can slavery which the humanitariaus of Europe
have 80 long been cndeavoring to destroy Hav-
ing partially effected their object, they now find
that It's attainment reacts upon themselves by de
priving them of the "articles of almost first ne
seek to re-establish it in new form; and we find
the cabinets of Madrid, Paris and London ap-
parently agreed upon q course of action The |
importation of African apprentices, or negroes
contracted to labor in the colonies for term Of
years, is this new form, and we have not the |
slightest hesitation in pronouncing it worse
system Of slavery than that Of holding negso
for life to involuntary servitude 1t is wanting
in every incentive to care for the health and
comfort of the negro and his offspring that exists
in the lite interest of the master in the slave BY
destroying the claim which the slave has ia his
declining years upon his master for support, IL
gives stimulus to the selfish desire 10 get all
out Of the laborer that is possible during his
term Of service, regardless of the effect of over
work and bad food upon his remaining years of
life. II is, in fact, giving premium to the using
up of negroes
That we may not be accused of cxaggeraton
in these statements. We will recte the principal
features Of the existing code Of laws for the inn
portation Of free apprentices TO labor in the Spa
nish colonies. They may he contracted for any
term Of service that may suit the contracting
parties; The contract working hours per day may
be fifteen; ships importing them shall not bring
over four persons TO the TOM importers and pur-
chasers may dispose Of AMI transfer them by
sale Of their contracts; they cannot acquire any
new rights while their contract stands; they can
not marry, nor leave the plantation or workshop,
without consent Of their patron or master; pa
irons may punish them by the use of stocks, ball
and chain, and Imprisonment for thirty days; a |
daily account shan Be kqt Of he number Of hours
during 'Ol'ch he apprentice has rorted 80 that The
actual number " days he hos iabored ia each month
may Be hpoun, and at e expiration Of he term ofhe
contract Il may he prolonged 20 ooru he fuR nu1pJsr
Of 'cori5ng hours Stipulated.
What chance negro apprentice has for free
dom under such conditions as these, we leave
others to determine. We fancy, however, that