New-York tribune., 1867-02-20
4 wORLDs 4YTESLlrERY CONFERENCE.

4 WORLDS 4NTT-SLATERY CONFERENCE.
II j. now about eighty years since Thomas
Clarkson and William WilberfOrce commenced
their labOrs for the suppression OF the Al
rican slave trade and the abolition oil negro
slavery The trade in blacks to the west
Indie, and the American Continent from
small beginnings in the carly part OF the
sixteenth century had 10y that time swelled
10 mammoth proportions, and had De
come so completely interlaced with the com
mcrcc of the period that that those eminent
phil.nthropists found themselves confronted
i'm the prosecution of their mission 10y Il
phalanx of powerful interests, all depend
cnt upon the maintenance and perpetual
tion of the accurscd evil But their zeal over
came every difficulty, and insured the triumph
80 far rs England was concerned, of the cause
TO whose advocacy they devoted their lives.
WilbcIforce lived long enough TO be assured
that a measure for the abolition of Slavery
throughout the British Empire was certain Ia
pass through Parliament, the bill for that pur-
pose having been read Il second time just few
day, before his death Chlkson survived 10y
many years the emancipation of the negroes IN
the colonial possessions of England. The
period that has elapsed since the Latter event,
which took place in 1893. has Witnessed osNcr
successes in the same direction. France has
abolished Slavery in her colonies; has
Holland. Portugal has washed her
hands of the blood of the slayc-tIadc and
l.inc0ns memorable proclamation set at liberty
four millions of slaves in this country. Among
civilized nations the Spanish flag alone now
covers the Infamous traffic in human beings,
and the only Christian countries in which negro
slavery exists are Brazil, the transmarne pos
sessions of Portugal, and the Spanish Antilles.
That the influences which have destroyed it in
other countries will in the course of time over
throw it in these likewise, no one can
doubt; but the fact of its existence fur
n,hcs reason and motive for continued
strenuous eXcrtions on the part of the friends
of freedom and humanity in every part of the
world. 1t is gratifying to know that the neces-
sity for such excrion is still scnSibly felt by
those who have the interests of the mti-Slavery
cause Mt heart, and to learn that it is in con-
temptation to make another combined effort to
help forward the good work toward its consum-
nation.
In accordance with suggestion made by
the French Emancipation Committee, the
British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, and
the Spanish Abolition Society, have agreed To
hold in Paris, in the month of June next "A
Conference of friends of the Anti-Savery
cause which it is proposed should comprise
from Brazil, England and the |
English Colonies, France and the French Colo |
nicS, the United States of America, Holland |
and the Dutch Colonies, IIayti and st. Domn-
go, the African Republic of Liberia Portugal,
Spain and the Spanish Antilles, and Venezuela.
The immediate object of the Conference is to
take cOgnizance of the actual state of
the ant-Slavery question in these countries,
and to consider what further means may be
adopted to promote the abolition ri Slavery and
the slnve-tlade where those evils still exist.
The idea of this Conference is an excellent
one, and the proposal deserves warm support
Such Il Conference was held in London in
1910, and its deliberations were productive of
much good in stimulating the zeal of the
friends of Emancipation. both in Europe and
America. We believe that now proposed TO be
held will be equally beneficial and in view
Of the work which yet remains to be done
before the edificc of freedom can he crowned,
il is earnestly to be hoped that the suggestion
Of the French Committee will meet with Il
hearty response from all quarters. We think
Dur own country should be adequately repre-
ientcd ut the Conference by such men as
Garrison, Gcnit Smith, and others We might
mention, who are veterans in the anti-Slavery
'ausc We owe il To Europe and to ourselves
% send men whose names will be known and
cspcCtcd. and who MAY not be unworthy to