The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-03

Our Rsasuoas with Esgiaud end Negro
RhiisatArspy.
There is reason to suppose that our question
with England in regard 10 the right of search
has assumed new phase, and thst we are
about 10 enter upon a diplomatic correspoa-
denoe with that government for the extension
of philanthropy over the world. This course is
supposed to arise from a necessity to amplify
the existing slave trade treaties, and that tho
United States shall unite with England in the
effort to put dowa this infamous traffic.
The slave trade as now carried on has, as
every one knows, been conducted exclusively for
Spanish interests. Cuba is the only mart
in which African slaves can be sold in any
part Of the civilized world, and Spain is
the only country which gains by Its oontinu-
ance. If the British government in its phi
lanthropy would bring that corrupt and shift
less country to account, the slave trade might
easily be brought to close. But 1t takes
good care not to do 30. European politics are
supposed to require that Spain should not be
interfered with at present; and, under the plea
of philanthropy, American commerce alone
has been subjected to violence and injury.
But let us weigh this philanthropy in the
scales of common sense and justice, and see
what it amounts to. In behalf Of an inferior
race, incapable of progress, of humanity, of re-
6nement and nationality, prize hunting squad
rons are placed On our shores to interrupt our
trade, and force is unhesitatingly used to carry
out the principle. Granted that dozen car
goes of slaves have been run into Cuba the last
year by pirates who are ready to violate any
flag, the wrong committed bears no comparison
whatever with the mischief which would grow
out of war between Great Britain and the
United States.
We win admit that some thousands of ne
groes have been carried away during the last
few years from their homes, if such a people
can be said to have any homes, and subjected
to labor. Inhuman as this is, are there not
other inhumanities worthy of consideration?
Which is the worst that these Africans should
suffer, or that two great nations should go to
war with each other in their behalf? II we
must choose between two evils, should we not
choose the least? A war between the two
countries would annihilate the most active, the
most beneficial and the most profitable com.
merce existing on the face Of the globe. Fifty
millions of white people would find their
most important interests endangered, if not
destroyed; and the greatest distress, if not
actual ruin, would follow the humiliation
of all those interests which flourish by the
interchange of commodities necessary to life
But worse than this useless waste of money
would be the waste of life. Hundreds of thou
sands Of Christian men would be engaged in
bloody CONTEST family quarrel-perhaps Q
war of determination before 1t was concluded.
Great philanthropy this, which regards all these
consequences with Indifference, for the sake of
few cargoes of black men, who never were and
never could be made ct to govern or take care
ofthemselves. Great statesmen these who do not
see that the slave trade would revive with tenfold
power during and after maritime war, when the
cruisers Of the antagonist parties would be en-
tirely engaged In the destruction of each other,
or have been disabled.
Such would be some Of the effects of the negro
war into which Lord Palmerston on the one
hand, and Fred Douglass ON the other, with
their insane partisans, would have hurried the
two greatest nations of the world. The people
Of the two countries would be but mere pup
pets, the wretched slaves of men in Office or in
epaulettes- mastered, annihilated. in
q conflict in which they really have no per-
sonal interest. Inhumanity to the whites with
these philanthropists is not worthy of con-
sideration: inhumanity to the blacks is
with them the only evil In life. The
Almighty has for many ages given these Afri-
cans liberty and vast continent on which to
spread themselves and improve. The only mark
Of intelligence which they carry has been
gained by their intercourse with white masters.
Their type Is not of mortal moulding. When IL
is to be changed will be seen in Heavens own
time, not In Garrison's or the Duchess of Suth-
erland's II is well enough to interfere against
the cruelty and oppression practised against |
them, as ii is in the cases of operatives in the
coal mRes or spinners in the factories, or over
driven animals in the streets; but we imagine
these have not yet been deemed good
cause for plunging millions Of the masses into
= bloody war, or even ground for domestic revo-
luton by force of arms It is, then, an
abominable exaggeration Of the principle of
humanity which assumes the form of negro
But If II is necessary that the two govern
ments, In order to establish the true principles
Of the law of nations in regard to the visitation
and search of vessels at sea, must make q joint
TO put down the African slave trade,
we trust that the movement will be final and |
effective one Let the two nations unite in a |
oint declaration Of the immunity of all vessels
1T sea in time of peace; and In q joint an