New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-10-31

Spain, OF all European countries, oilers the
most deplorablc illustration of the troubles,
contradictions, and consequent evils in which
people will get entangled, who have not
yet learned that they have no just claim to
liberty, unless they are willing to extend it
equally to all those over whom they hold
sway. For many years the Spaniards have
had to struggle against the odious despotism
of the most depraved rulers; who over and
again cheated them out of their rights, until
at length they overthrow the dynasty, and it
seems as if with comparatively liberal con-
stitution and progressive ministry, under
the leadership of Ruiz Zorrilla, they might
improve and prosper, and enjoy as much
happiness as can be expected to fall to the lot
of nation that is not yet far enough adj
vanccd to establish Republic on the ruins
of decayed monarchy. The great obstacle,
however, lies in the dOmineering and tyran-
nical spirit, the erroneous notions of honor,
which seem to be inherent features of the
national character, and have rendered the
Spaniards hated and dreaded wherever they
ruled as conquerors. Although they know
how to assert their own rights, they only
claim duties on the part of others, withoua
being willing yet to acknowledge any obliga-
tions towards those over whom they hold
power. For several years Cuba has been in
state of revolution, provoked by a system of
unbearable oppression and extortion, entirely
at variance with the civilization of the age.
In the early stages of the instruction liberal
concessions, granting full autonomy and
representation to the island, might possibly
have kept off the crisis for while, and
served to palliate the evils of the colonial
system, anomalous in its very nature, and
hardly endurable in its mildest form. The
leaders of the Radicals and Republicans
knew this full well, and would doubtless have
advised conciliatory measures, but for their
exact knowledge of the disposition of the
majority of their countrymen, their decisions,
arising largely from "reminiscences of long
by-gone Spanish grandeur and glory. Not a
man could venture to set forth the simple
dictates of reason and justice, without bring
ing odium on his head, and surrendering his
influence. Thus barbarous war has been
waged; shocking deeds of cruelty have been
committed in the name of the Government,
especially by the Spanish volunteers, privi-
legged robbers and murderers, who hold almost
undisturbed sway, and whose crimes are ig-
nored because there is neither power to en-
force their obedience, nor the courage to risk
their anger. The best blood of Spain and of
Cuba has been shed in the contest; the
treasury, always in a critical condition, has
become utterly drained by the expenses of a
fruitless and inglorious war and the means
for its continuation are only obtained by
ruinous war taxes, which fall heavily not
only on the Cubans, but also on the Spanish
residents of the island, whose loyalty is put
rather to hard test.
One of the most odious features of this con-
stitutional Government, is its position in re-
spect to slavery. Among the European
powers it is ut present the only one that still
upholds slavery in its colonies, although-en-
tirely aside from the outrage perpctrated on
human rights-merc expediency would urge
its abolition, since the revolutionary pro-
visional government of Cuba liberated the
slaves at an early stage Of the insurrection,
and consequently derives an essential element
of strength from the support of the blacks.
1t is true, two years ago, the Government,
under the pressure of the opinion of the
whole civilized world repeatedly and solemnly
promised the enactment of a law providing
for the abolition of slavery but thus far, it has
not kept its word, and only preparatory law
was passed, one of those half measures,
which, under the name of "gradual enamel
pation," leaves the majority of the present
slave generation in hopeless, lifelong servi-
tude. Even this law, however-unsatis-