New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-02
SPAIN PREV4RICATING.

IL will be remembered that, when the present
Constitution of Spain was reported, the re
publicans insisted on an express Abolition OF
Slavery therein. but were overruled on the plea
that this was clearly implied in the provision
that call Spaniards" should enjoy specified
rights, which were utterly Incompatible WIN
Slavery. We dstrusted the good faith oil TINS
exclamation. believing it intended to tide over
present difficulty, and then be repudated'
This suspicion has been fully justified
The ten deputies from Porto Rico having
taken their seats in the Cortes, Senior Padal,
as their mouthpece, recently appealed forciDly
TO the Government to inaugurate the needed
work of Reform IN the Colonies, but more es-
pecially to abolish Slavery, tho fountain OF all
abuses, utterly and for ever. See how senior
Bccerra, Minister for tho Colonies, replying,
responds to this appeal:
come now to the last question-that OF
the abolition OF Slavery My intelligence and my heart
reject Slavery It useless TO combat 1t when nobody
defends IT, But either Slavery has been perverslon OF
human understandings or It has been necessary under
the conditions OF humanity. will not enter now into
these problems We find the existence OF slavery Iaet
and a fact we have take II into account Moreover
in questions OF theory OF labor and OF science f'shoh
,atcs some part and the truth Is that fashion has
fore TO abolish it for not only humanity but also cir
cumsapces aud what passing In other countries coun
sel us 70 do So Nevertheless, sc must do so Utuom
,ro,udiug he Interests 81 those rho acquire Stdres oso
erin b lega authorization, and without leaving the freed
slaves In misery which Is Slavery like any other.
When the United states. France, aud England liberated
their slaves tho latter did not become really free for he
who il ignorant and not worker honored citizen
cannot be- free IL is fitting to improvise these hui
man beings the category OF free citizens without
preudice TO society and TO themselves For this reason
Abolition ought not to DO hasy. We must solve the
question with gradual abolition in such manner that
the saye may know that in given time he will be free
Our feelings and our interests counsel that tho time DO
as short as possible; but the true solution for this
provnce ia that its inhabitants have the same rights
and duties as other Spaniards, with the modhcatiOhs
their different circumstances require Tor II Is neither
exact logical that province 80 Tar OH can nave eN
acty the same grade OF liberty tho other provinces OF
tine kingdom There remains yet another difficulty,
which is nevertheless easily solved, for often we mako
difficulties take the exaggerated form Of words The
difficulty has solved by concilatory means leaving
10 the colonies the exclusive intervention IN what relates
10 their own interests with nothing more what the veto
Of the Spain OF 1869 has 10 resolve the manner IN when
The righf Of he master aynOt be discussed I'LL the slave Is
a free maltand as much citizen as any one else THIS
- what those who have slaves aud those who have them
not ought 10 endeayOr to rcaze-that Spain. which to-
day Is the second nation the world In colonies may be
at the elevation Of the first Of all nations as regards
order progress aud civilization, wherever the Spanish
language Is spoken"
Who does not recognize this "a the old.
old storYi 81 am as much opposed to Slavery
"as anybody, but'-any one can imagine the
rest. 1t is never the right time to destroy this
demon-in peace because Society Is tranquil,
and must not be disturbed; in war because
everything is In commotion, and it would be
highly dangerous to emancipatc. There never
will come a time when this sort will deem it
safe and expedient to "let the oppressed go
free" How different is the bearing of the
Cuban patriots, many of whom were extensive
shareholders, but all say with one voice.
"Perish Slavery that Cuba may be free"
We feel that their attitude on this question
entities them to the sympathies and prayers OF
the lovers of Liberty throughout tho world.