The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-06-24
The United States, Spain and the leland
af Cuha.

from Washington and Madrld-that questions
relating to Cuba and Spanish rule in the
Antilles create great deal Of interest. They
are like ghosts that have been raised aud
obstinately refuse to be put down, even by
holy water. If they cannot be solved by gov
eminent they will solve themselves. Negro
slavery in the Antilles is doomed, and white
political slavery to European domination
there is near its end. The news we refer to
from Madrid is that of the vote Of the Cortes
refusing to abolish slavery, and from Washing
ton the resolutions Of Mr.. Sumner in the
Senate yesterday, declaring the sentiments Of
the people Of the United States concerning
Spain and her island colonies lying in Ameri
can waters.
The question relative to emancipatng the
slaves in the Spanish colonies came up in the
Cortes in Committee of the Whole on Sehor
Morets bill for gradual emancipation. Senior
CASTELAR, proposed an amendment for imme-
date abolition. This amendment was mega
tlved by vote of IS nays to 4S yeas. Thus
the Spanish Cortes has emphatically refused
to abolish slavery. The Cortes then adjourned
till the 3lst of October. and Senior Morets
bill was postponed. But while Spain uphoids
slavery and shows that she is behind the age,
the Cubans themselves have abolished the
institution as far as their power extends over
their native island. Of this there can be no
doubt. The twenty fourth article Of the con-
stitution of the Cuban republic, which was
al 49, nd
unanimously approved by the Cuban Congress
at Guiamaro on the 10th of April, 1869, declares,
''All the inhabitants Of the republic Of Cuba
are absolutely Free" This marked difference
between the conduct Of the Spaniards, who
rule Cuba with a rod of iron, and that of the
Cuban patriots on the subject of slavery ought
to inspire sympathy and admiration for the
brave and liberal Cubans throughout the length
and breadth of the American republic as well
as throughout the civilized world.
It's remarkable thst about the same time
the Spanish Cortes refused by decisive vote
to abolish slavery Mr. Sumner, without
knowing that fact, introduced into the United
States Senate resolutions strongly condemna-
tOiy vi Vie cAlStOuCc VI Vuut IuStitutlOu III tuc
Spanish colonies and of the atrocious conduct
of the war in Cuba. If we mistake not the
news from Madrid will have powerful infu-
ence upon Congress when Mr.. Summers reso-
lutions come up for action. 1t is gratifying to
know that this distinguished Senator and
chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign
Affairs has taken such bold step in favor
both of the emancipation of the negroes in Cuba
and the independence of the island. He is now
following the impulses of his nature and act
ing in accordance with his previous history in
favor Of freedom and heightened American
policy.
The resolutions Mr. Sumner submitted
declare that the people of the United States
cannot hear with Indifference the reports of
barbarous outrages which reach them con-
stantly from the neighboring island of Cuba; that
they protest against the repetition of such acts,
and, in the name of humanity, they solemnly
insist that these things shall cease that they
are panied to hear that the pretension OF
property in man is still upheld in the island
colonies Of Spain lying in American waters;
that human beings endowed by nature with
the right of life, liberty and pursuit of hap
piness are held as slaves; that instead of
terminating this pretension at once the Spanish
government propose to protract it for an indeli-
nate period by an impossible system Of gradu-
alton, and that this spectacle is offensive to all
who love republican institutions, and especially
10 Init cd of yhn in fhn
of justice and for the sake of good neighbor-
hood, ask that slavery shall cease. The reso-
lutions declare also that the United States,
being once colonies, achieved independence by
successful resistance to the European Power
claiming to govern them; that their example
was followed by the Spanish colonies on the
Continent of America that already the me
aspirations for independence begin TO stir in
the neighboring colonies of Great Britain;
that these instances are in harmony with the
spirit of the age; that the day of European
colonies in this hemisphere has passed, and
that, impressed by this conviction, the people
of the United States regret to witness the
extraordinary efforts Of the Spanish govern
ment, by violence and blood, to maintain the
unnatural jurisdiction in Cuba forbidden by
the great law of progress aud hostile to
the best interests of both parties Then
the resolutions state that the people of the
United States declare their sympathy with
their fellow Americans in Cuba struggling for
independence, as well as for the people of
Spain in their efforts to establish liberal insti-
tutions, and they call upon Spain to recognize
at once the right Of Cubans to govern them
selves. The President of the United States is
charged with the duty of communicating these
resolutions to the government of Spain.
1t is unnecessary to add anything to these
manly and truly American sentiments. They
will find a hearty response throughout the
whole country. Their moderation, too, can
not fail to make an impression abroad. Nor
have we any doubt that General Grant .aearf