The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-15
FRIDAY, JANUARY Is, 1869.
-.. C,,ban revolution and Emeucip"-
tIOn.

v,1v contradictory views are promulgated In
reosrd 10 the effect Of the revolutionary move
nsnta A Cuba upon emancipation. On the
ana hand Il ia alleged that the leaders OF the
insurreotion have in some districts sVoWed q
6xed determination to secure freedom not
rnsrely for themselves, but for the negroes; and
some of the Republican journals OF thls ooun-
try espouse the cause Of the Cuoans on the
express ground that their triumph would en-
euye tbe abolition OF slavery. On the other
hand. Il Ia said that the Cubans are inspired
by feelings akin to those which prompted the
rebels ofthis country, and that they are endea-
voring TO separate the ever-fsithiul Isle from
the mother country because they fear the
revolution in Spain may be followed oy
Spanish decree of emancipation. 1t Is diih1uit
60 decide which Of these theories is most
worthy of credence. II we look at historic
preoedents only, we should be inclined to be-
Iieye that the success Of Cuban revolution
would Immediately destroy the chains OF
negro slavery, for the downfall OF Spanish rule
was the signal for emancipation in Mexico and
South America. On the other hand, in the
French and British West Indies slavery was
abolished by the home governments against the
wishes Of the colonists, and in the United
States by the Northern portion Of the Union
against the bitter opposition OF the slaveheld-
ing sections OF this country. Spain has been
by no means Indifferent to the movement in
favor of universal freedom; and while the
cause Of abolition possesses influential advo-
oates at Madrid we have no knowledge OF
the existence of active anti slavery agitators
at Havana. Even under Isabella the political
strength of the Spanish abolitionists was con
stantly increasing, and their final triumph
under more liberal government, can scarcely
be prevented, if Cuba remains a dependency
OF Spain. 1t is also we'll known that one of
the most potent agencies for the maintenance
of Spanish authority has been the ever-pend-
ing threat that any symptoms of successful
Cuban revolt would be followed by decree of
emancipation, and Captain Generals habitually
display much stronger faith in the loyalty of
negroes than in that OF the Creoles Slavery
has some firm supporters in Spain, but its
most fanatical and resolute champions are to
be found among the owners Of plantations in
Cuba, and no people who are not daily sub
iected to the insidious and hardening infu-
enoes of constant traffic in human flesh can
willingly accept the hideous doctrines of pro.
slavery propagandists.
Whatever may be the political destiny of
Cuba, she cannot long resist the tendency
of the age towards the establi ,hment of uni
vsrsal freedom. The century which has wit
messed emancipation in Mexico, South Anne
RIGA, the British West Indies, Russia, and the
United States can scarcely close before freedom
becomes as universal as civilization. Slavery is
the offspring of barbarism, and it can exist
GREATER only in the darkest hooks Of the
world, where the influence of its hidsOuS
parent is still paramount, where no ray OF
intellectual light or Christianity penetrates,
and where the elementary principles Of justice
are unknown. If Cuba remains a province
the voice of justice will finally prevail in the
Spanish Cortes. II she gains her indepsnd-
enoe, it can only be by struggle in which the
bonds Of slavery will be destroyed. 1t is pro-
babls that at the outset Of the present move
ment her insurrectionary leaders hoped to
gain sudden triumph while the attention OF
Spanish insurrectionary chiefs was absorbed
by their home lsbors, but failing in this, they
cannot now throw of the Spanish yoke with
out giving fatal shock to the system of ser
vitude they have helped to tasten upon the
tllers of theirplantations.