The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-03

Protestants for 100 Roman Catholics that they had
BY liz years OF persecution amended-iI to DE
called aIuended--tle position OF the ProteSants so
far as 70 n.ve % insead or As Protestants to 100
Roman Catholics. At that time we began to relax
the penal laws. In lsol-I now quote the authority
OF Mr. Musgraye, the historian Of the Irish revou-
ton, who Is certainly very thoroughgoing par'i-
san--n 1871, the penal laws having now been mate
rally relaxed and the Roman Catholics even admit
ted TO the elective franchise he found that the Pro-
tesiants were 40 to 120 Roman Catholics having been
30 some twenty years before. We then went on and
had further relaxation. We even admitted the Ro-
man Cathoics-and 1 am very thankful we did--to
Parliament, and In 1884 we had another religious
4 Roman Catholics or 80 Pedestrians 20 100 Roman
Catholics Now, gentlemen In 1851 II Ia true there 10
slight improvements . fractional improve
exhibit It. l cannot exhibit it well upon the de-
nominator OF l2o that have got. (Laughter.) In
1884. the Professionals were tribe under to 4;
that Is ell the difference But recoliect what had
happened In the meantime-that awful famine Of
the poorer population-that Is, the Roman Catholic
population OF Ireland, across the Atlantic. There
fore say that ahongn casually the
reality, II you allow ever 80 moderately for the ope-
ration OF these powerful causes 1t Ia worse return
Protestantism, under the influence OF this system,
which we did once maintain In the form OF penal
laws-but then there was kind OF efficacy, at any
N-since we have relaxed those penal laws, while
the system continues to be unjust 1t has ceased to
DC tucCtual, anu frOLeSL8QtlSm Has uWiuuicu uuucI
It's operation Our motto ls"Be just, and fear not"
1t may be that we have strong interests arrayed
against US. Never mind. What we shall do, we
shall use the slender means IN our power to lay out
the truth and the reason OF the case before You.
Having done that, as we shall do It from place 70
to a to for we
to be on your guard against mistake and delusion,
to put on the courage OF Englishmen-lapplau
spirit of equity which ought to distinguish every
Christian, and to carry our canse onward to speedy
triumph. Enthusiastic applause, amid which the
right honorable gentleman resumed his seat.)
Slavery In tho Spanish Possessions.
The following address has been prepared by the
British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society and for
warded to Madrid:-
To THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF TIN Pro-
visIONAL GOVERNMENT, Madrid:-
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GRNTIEMEN-The committee
OF the British and Foreign Antl-Slavery Society de-
sire respectfully address the members OF the pro-
vlsional government OF Spain on subject which is
OF absorbing interest to the committee at the present
crisis. In presenting their address the committee
would emphatcally d1Sclaim any intention OF dcta-
ton or of interference in political matters. The
committee cannot however, help feeling the strong
freedom and humanity all over the world-that right
and justice may prevail, and that In the goodness
AMI aoyerrnllns providence of God Spain may OF
and well regulated liberties.
The committee would respectfully but earnestly
express the desire that while the great boon Of
the still greater blessing Of personal freedom at the
same time be conceded to the slave population In
Cuba and Porto RIGA. The emancipation Of the
slaves Is an act imperativey demanded in justice to
the slaves themselves, and 1t ID one which sound
policy and the honor OF the Spanish nation alike re.
GU re. For these reasons the committee hope that
the abolition OF slavery and the slave trade may be
among the FIST acts OF the provisional government.
70 its eternal honor the provisional government in
France IN 1s4s acted III reference to slavery and
France has never had occasion to regret 1t. snli
lar act would ennobe the new government and not
ENGLAND
France, but would bring Spain into sympathy with
the other leading nat0ns OF the civilized world 1t
would also In all probability stimulate Portugal and
Brazil TO follow 30 great an example.
The committee would venture most respectfully to
submit that any hesitation or delay at the present
crisis IN declaring emancipation may long postpone
the power OF doing II at all II Is admitted that dit-
cultles exist but the difficulties which may attend
immediate and signal act Of justice are insgnif-
cant In comparison with those inseparabe from all
half measures when dealing with radical evil. To
do what Is right y first duty, and those who act
upon this principle may safely leave the results in
the hands OF God. The right Of . man to his own
personal liberty to his own body is surely superior
all political and pecuniary considerations whatso-
ever. Emancipation once declared all necessary
regulations must follow In due course.
The committee deem II important to dwell upon
the fact that immediate emancipation took place
without danger to the colonies OF France, Hol-
land, In the British island Of Antigua In Mexico,
and still more recently In the United States ~
America; that the probationary, period OF
apprenticeship which accompanied the British
when 20 s to
ton that the government Of Holland having this ACT
before Il, framed Its abolition act without any pro
stationary term. 1t Ii also especially worthy Ol
record that those Of the British colonies which &C
cepted the apprenticeship system were speedily com
PEELED to abolish It BY special acts OF their own Leg
lslatures.
With the expression OF q sincere hope that the
Great Ruler Of all events may be pleased to inspire
the members Of the provisional government with
wisdom to guide them In their councils to do that
which Is righteous and just and will bless the
Spanish nation with prosperity and peace, we have
the honor to remain, Mr. President and gentlemen
ION behalf Of the committed yours, very respectfully,
JOSEPH COOPER.
EDMUND SURGE.
+. A. CHAMRRovzow Secretary.
q NEW BROAD STREET, LONDON, Oct 2,