The New York herald., 1869-01-10
e U n O p e.
SPAIN.


The Abolition Of ssavcry-Pubiic Meeting and
speeches--Eadies' Anri-siaYery Societies
Expected Success Of the Movement.
MADIID, Dec II, 1858.
Three wears AGO the question OF the abolition of
slavery was as yet unbroken ground in SPAIN
Spaniards knew that there were slaves in Cuba and
m Porto Rico and that they were engaged in, and
supposed necessary 10, the production OF sugar cof
fee and tobacco but none deemed slavery crime;
none knew that the plantation slave was ill-fed,
hui half.clothed always oyerworked, restve in his
chains, and that constant cry for liberty went up
from fertile plains where the sugar thrves
under their impatient culture watered by their tears
And when the sad story Of the wrongs and sorrows
OF these wretched beings first told their won
dering ears, il heard with the greatest indgna-
tion. They thought IL incredible that creatures with
human souls should be thus treated until over
whelming proof convinced them. ss-srs --SsfssH.-s
; The first public meeting ever held in Spain was
that In favor OF abolition, and one OF the smallest
theatres in Madrid was chosen for the occasion. It
was filed however TO It's utmost capacity, and the
boxes were all occupied By ladies. The best orators
OF Spain were enlisted, and they, now convinced OF
the importance of the they defended held their
audience entranced several hours; and from thai
time the cause has gained ground rapidly that "
can safely be affirmed shat there is not Spanar1
in all Spain who Is not at heart an abotonist There
Is OF course great diversity OF opinion Some are
in favor OF immediate and unconditional emancipa-
tion-others would have it gradual. These III
the majority; and others again are OF the opinion
that 1t should be with ndemnidcation the
Some two years ago The government conceived the
ea ,eea.S Si assemSg snSard N MaaTld Vast coItee
for the purpose OF proposing reforms in
the Spanish colonies. The subject OF emancipation
thanks TO the agitation already produced in its
fayor-had become so paramount that almost the
whole OF the eight months during which the CON-
mittee was in session was taken up in discussing
the question and, on the part OF the Cubans. in pre-
pairing a complicated and impractcabe plan Of
emancipation in thirteen years. The Porto Ricans
belonging the committee from the first declared
themselves III favor OF immediate abolition, with or
without indemnlncation Since then, IN spite OF all
the OF Cuban shareholders TO stop the pro.
gress OF the cause public opinion, il swept on
like an avalanche, carrying all hearts by storm.
lne subsequent meetings nave been successlvely
the last-decidedly the event Of the week-took
place, on the 5th OF December, in the Circo de
Price. The building was filed to Over1owing, and
u admits 6000 persons The crowd outside clamor
Ing for adintarce when there no longer
the Civilian Guard were placed at the door
To prevent accident There was a remarkably large
attendance OF ladies in the boxes and in the par
quet, whose magnificent toilets contrasted admra- |
bly, with the characteristic cdpas OF the male portion
of the audience The speakers were 0rense Marquis
OF Albaida. who presided; Lopez Moreno Pascal Du- |
pratt OF the deputies OF the people In the French
Assemblee Rationale in 1S4s; Sanroma, one OF the
most eloquent orators OF Spain; Labra aawyer, and
General Rolas, eXPresident of Venezuela. General
RujaS was invited 10 the stage by Sanr0ma, after an
alnsion TO the result OF emancipation in Venezuela,
and was greeted with the greatest enthusiasm. The
following clause in tribute 10 the United States,
forming OF the eloquent periods OF his brilliant
improvisation, was received and repeatedly inter-
rupted with rounds OF applause. These were his
woFds:-
This knot, gentlemen, be If II united
the astonishent the ex'
he stain hch blo,ted the fair Of her history True
y washed with Goods o. generous blood and with
fhsraohs :
tory which she need not shed drop of the blood OF her
subjects of She but
sheet OF which 10 trace the words OF decree.
Envabie glory that of Lincoln, Grant and Seward
The first sacred forever in the memory not only Of the
present but q AL the future generstions the second re
wared with the civic Of the Presidency OF his nation
his military superiority the Ihird already Minister In
two generations OF government, will probably remain his
greatest human prncine adopted in this age
The work accomplished By these great will be i'm
land begin to live the life Of and citizens
and may the day be not far distant when
they shall enjoy the fun uton Of their liberty undsurbed
by the Of political passions and pejudices engendered
by the late Titanic struggle, which wi long, give place
20 the reign OF reason.
The recent freedom from the bondage OF the Bour-
bon regime has given new and powerful impetus
10 our Propaganda. More than fifty branch socie-
ties OF that OF Madrid have been lately formed In the
towns and cities or spain. Two ladies' societies |
have been organized one In Barcelona the other IN
Madrid, under the presidency OF the lovely and gifted
poetess Carolina Coronado Petitions from all these
societies will be presented at the opening Of the Cores
COnstituy immediate abolition OF slavery,
pressure brought 10 bear on the government will
force decree FOR abolition In some form. The de-
cree may not prove as radical the lovers Of the
would wish, aud as there Is majority OF abo
htionists IN favor OF gradual emancipation we can
hardly expect more than decree fixing the for
tne freedom OF the slaves In ten years.