New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-29
SLAVERY IN SPANISH AMERICA


In ono respect, the European monsrchieS
which have possessions on or near this cont
nent. have better deserved of tho future OF
American civilization than either the leading
American Republic or the grcatost-and, until
recently, the only-American monarchy, Brazil
All of them have recognized the equality OF men,
before the law, without distinction of race, and
removed the greatest obstacle to the progress OF
American civilization. African Slavery. One
only of those monarchics. Spain, is tagging be-
hind. She not only refuses to take steps for
the emancipation of the Slaves, but conniycs at
the continuation of the denominations OF the
save.trade. The organs OF tho Spanish Govern
mcnt in Cuba, and Porto Rico, are sympathizing
with tho Rebels, and decidedly Pro-Slavery,
whilo the Liberal party, there as everywhere,
are looking forward to the time when Slavery
shall DO abolished.
Spain now owns in America tho islands OF
Cuba and Porto Rico, small group of Islands
called the Spanish Virgin Islands, and the for
mer Republic Of Santo Domingo. which few
years ago was sold ont to Spain by its President,
the recently deceased Gen. Santana. Together
they have an area Of about 20, 900 square miles,
an,. a population OF over 2,O0O.O OF people.
Santo Domingo at the time OF its being sold to
Spain was free from the curse of Slavery, and 1t
has not since been formally rSintroduced; but
it can hardly be expected from Government
which maintains Slavery in Cuba and Porto Rico,
AMI which connives al tho slave-tradc, that II
will prevent shareholders from moving with
their slaves into the new Spanish province.
As Cuba has been for many years one OF the
principal slave marts, and thousands OF pur-
chased Africans have been introduced into 1t by
slave-lraders, it may be thought that Slavery in
it mus; have greatly increased IN strength.
This, however, ia fortunately not 30. On the
contrary, Slavery is on the wanc, and. II II
were not proppcd up by constant intercourse
with the oaveholding portion OF the United
States, it would bc doomed to M inevitable ana
speedy death. The statistics of the last census
March Is, l3G1) OF This subject are
instructive The white population Of
the island amounts to 793,4oi souls.
The colored population nearly reaches this fig
ure, numbering no less than 6O3,Oi6. But OF
this number no less than two-tiths (225, 543)
are already free. For the education OF the ne
grocs as little is done as in the Rebel States.
and there were only 1889 males and Is, 46l
females who were able to read and write.
Compared with the total population. the slaves
form about % per ccnt-about the same proper
ton which the slave population of Arkansas and
Tennessee held to the free population of those
States. - .. '~s..'"'"'
In Porto Rico which, in total population OF
1903. has 239, 527 persons Of color the condi'
tiod Of the negro and the prospect OF the aOoii'
ton of Slavery are much better than in Cuba
No slaves have been introduced there from
Africa for about thirty years, and the number
has dwindled down to ai.736, in population OF
5e3, 1903. They have many privileges, and
among them the right to purchase their own
freedom. In no country this side Of the At
lantic does the institution approach 80 nearly u
pa,r;arciial system. The slaves have tree
access 10 the tribunals 70 state thcir grievances
their evidences is taken in court, even against
their master, and il has as much weight as that
Of white persons Of the same intelligence.
They have the privilege of changing their mas
ters when Dissatisfied and can oblige them to
accept payment for their manunisSion when
the minimum price of their assessed value Is
offered The child Of slave mother and white
father is free from its birth; and in very many
cases. when the mother is deserving woman,
her freedom is given her. Slavery in our own
country has no such redecming features as these,
and it, cessation in the Spanish colonies will
not cost anything like the sacrifices with which
it is attended in the Upited States. 1t has not
struck there so deep roots as among us, and its
eradication will be accomplished without much
labor.
To sh~ Citizens Now i'm Colorado.