New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-12-15
SLAVERY IN THE PACIFIC.

About tho time when Slavery was abolished
in the Southern States of America, system
almost analogous obtained its footing IN the
Northern provinces Of Australia. 1t ala not
begin then for the idea dates from period
before Queensland was o separate colony, ana
it was suggested by three considerations:
First. the adaptability Of tho soil and climate
of North Australia to the production of sugar
and cotton; second, tire scarcity Of European
labor: and lastly, tho fanced unsultabilty OF
the place to unacclimatized Anglo Saxons' DO
It was proposed to introduce Cinnamon anu
Malays. But this failed, and ultimately an en-
terprising citizen of America bit upon the idea
81 kidnapping the natives Of the South sea
Islands: and from that has sprung ZIP now
traffic in human flesh, md "a repetition OF many
OF the atrocities which were once familiar up
on this continent. p. --.-.--.I & s.r1. TO-.
From TIA earliest days Ne queensland Gov.
erTmen5 has disgraced itself by savage i'll
treatment Of the native races. Ii has made it
virtuo TO slaughter the abOrigines, and it has
and does to this moment employ selected few
of these people, whom it calls the "Native
Mounted Police" to scour tho country and
TO shoot down their unresistine tount1ymen
NieIcNNI Sdu W lVuDu' WHY ihuANOi 40
legalized there need DO little wonder il Slavery
becomes an institution, and 80 it is less mat
ter for surprise to find Queensland landholdcrs
quoting CT or Go as the liberal price they are
ready to give for healthy Polynesian. than 1t
might have been il we merely remembered that
it is British Colony. and that these abomina-
lions arc now being PERFORATED under the
British flag.
We have watched for some years the grad
nal growth OF this system of traffic in human
flesh which has been transferred TO the other
side of the Pucifc, and we are not now dis
posed to ask ourselves how far the British
Government has sanctioned tho system, or
whether il can be possible that tho authorities
in D0wning-st. have been all this time ig-
uorant of the doings Of British subjects in dis
tant parts of the empire A question of greater
import arises. America has an interest which
every day grows larger, in tho progress and
welfare of the islands in the South Pacific
Ocean; and as nation which must ever be in
tho van Of civilization, have we not also an in
terest in crushing any attempt which shall
anywhere be made to renew Slavery Here,
then, is an opportunity TO extend the influence
Of our flag, and To evince our sincerity IN
cause Of justice which is beyond the
reach of cayil. Tie natives OF the
Pacific are fine and intelligent race, as eapa-
bio Ms the Japanese or the Chinese of being
brought into close commercial relations; and
America should be the last of the nations TO
stand idly by while such people are being stolen
away from their homes and demoalized Tor
the brutal purposes Of Australian Colonsts.
An American expedition TO these islands in
tho cause of peace and trade and science com
bined would be productive of rich fruits; but
an American protest against Slavery in the
shape of frigatc in tho neighborhoOd of New
Caledonia, with very decisive and distinct IN
slructions, is tho least duty we can afford to
perform. ...u