New-York tribune., 1868-12-17
SPAIN.
ADDRESS OF VICTOR HUGO on THR SLAVERY
QUESTION.

| ADDRESS OF VICTOR HUGO ON 1HR SLAVERY
QUESTION.
From several points In SPAIN from Corunna through
the organ OF the Democratic Committee, nom OVdeo,
from Seville from Barcelona from saragOssa the patrI-
| otc city; from Cadiz, tue IeY9lut9nafy CITY from
ond appeal Is made 10 me. They interrogaio me. re-
What is the question: II s slavery.
Shall span who by single effort has rid herself OF
all the old opprobrous evils Of fanatSisIn a0soutisn
which IS more odous than them allslayeryi Isay, No.
Abolition. and immediate abolition, is her duty.
L. possible that there can be any hesitatonf what
that which England did In 1885, that which France did In
lsi spain not able TO DO IN l6s What 10 DC Deraed M
tered race What this contradiction-to be at home
abroad unrigh,eousness citizen here owner OF slaves
there; to make Revolution that shall have sorlous
atty TO allow slavery remain TO hold property In
your fellow men TO have upon your head the cap OF
The planters whip simply the unlded sceptor Of tho
king; the one broken. The other falls.
slaves IS anbScOmns Sad the monarchy
di.hOnors the Republic. The Republic Is yirglnily
republic Nhyi Because you are the great Spanish
HaOn q: snSh ON spa"rdsl You can continue to bo
great only the condition Of remaining free To retreat
impossible. To grow stronger Is according to nature
You will remain free. Now. Liberty is whole. sho
has gloomy Jealousy OF her grandeur and her purity.
No No. compromise No concession No falling or She re.
pudates Royalty at the TOP and Slavery at the bottom
To hold slaves Is 10 deserve 20 be slave The slave
below you would Justify the tyrant above you.
The year 1903 WAS fiightu year In the history OF the
reached Europe stole from Africa 10000 blacks, whom
she sold TO America one hundred and four thousandl
Never has the sale Of human eGh shown such shocking
figures. IL Is now JUST 100 years since then Woll cee-
brate tho centenary by the abolition 0i slavery icy year
Of glory OF nfamy, and show that be-
tho spain OF l76s and the Spain OF 1863 there
than ctntlry-a profound abyss separating the
1also fyon the true. the bad from the good the unjust
tie Just, debaecm0nt from glory monarchy from
the republic. seryIude from liberty. There is always
hn open rccipice bCmnd progress ana those who draw
back viii certainly fal INTO IT, people increases with
every IL euiranchieca. BE great Spaiu'in lts com
pctoness Gibraltar is necessary 90 YOU than Cuba.
one word more. Alike profoundly evil IN themselves,
same effect The yoke of slavery presses p1fhas more
upon the master than upon the slave. It ~ question
which of the Two owns the Cihrri ~ ia error 90 be-
lUNe that one the proprietor OF lnan wien you
buy hn or sc hlln. Ou the contrary one II MS prsOu
or DO holds you lou must partakc o his rndeuess, his
ynipMly his Ignorance, hs sdyagcncss Otherwlte you
would look with honor upon yOuISclf.
The BLACK. you helcYe belongs 10 YOU 10 IL You who
belong 10 hIB loa have laid hod or his body he has
seized your Intelligence aud your honor lie has osab-
lshfd between You Und him % mysterious level. The
hlBYo chSea you for being MS master By sad and lust
roaliaOns, you placed In the power OF stern ruler
not having any conscience. HIS wees are you crimes
nOusu Ia evil spirit that is not only with you but
within you. IL enters into you and darens your soul
Ah! We caLnot commit Win puliy Inc great crime OF
slavery
The denial OF fraternity wonld be fatal II you are n
glorious aud lustrlons people slavery accepted as an
Institution mrkes you abomingbe. The crown on the
brow Of the dCspO and the ring ic1hd tho mex OF tho
slave but the cIclo conunlng your energies asa
people. All your splendors have the bl0t-the negro
The slave throws his shadows upon YOU You would not
ba oartsm to YOU Through Slavery Lurope has inoeu
lated itself with Africa, t.,..t II
on noble spanish peoplel Hero second liberation
now delhe youTseiv6s from Slavery. VICTOR HUGO. II
Ha1desRf HoasG NOV, ~. lscs i,nsr .le aEs t a