The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-17
SPANISH SLAVES.

An Eloquent Appeal to M. Gorilla by
English, French, Dutch and Polish
Members OF tho Paris Anti-sIavery
C0nfere AEGEAN Absolute and Imm ediats
Emancipation Necessary.
From LIE Secle.]
Some members OF the International Anti-Slavery
Conference sent to M. Gorilla, President OF the
Council Of Ministers OF His Majesty the King Of
Spain, an address, in the most eloquent and press
ing terms, in favor of an immediate emancipation
of the slaves IN the islands OF Cuba and Porto
Rico. The following IS the TEXT
MONSIEUR THE PREsIDENr-We, the undersigned,
members OF the International Anti-Slavery Confer
ence, which met in Paris in 1857, who, to-day, with
other friends OF humanity, associated to take part
in the work Of aboshing slavery see, with sorrow,
that this criminal institution still exists in the
isles Of Cuba and Porto Rico.
When, in 1868, the provisional government de.
clared the right OF the spanish people to political
liberty, we had, for the time being, the hope that it
would recognize, at the same time, the still more
sacred right OF the slaves in the Spanish colonies ia
example OF the provisional government d
France in ls4s immediate and absolute
emancipation would would , be decreed That
expectations III this respect, the new constitution
adopted by the Cortes in 1869 completely ignored
was constanty opposing the efforts of the aboi-
ZIONIST party to do justice to the slave population
Of the Spanish Antilles In In the o,, meapwn,s
claimed immediate emancipation There was also
very considerable number in Cuba In favor OF the
absolute abolition OF slavery, without counting the
insurgents, who had so decreed
The Spanish people have also demanded for nve
years past, In the most urgent manner, that the
government abolish slavery. The government
also mas recognized the necessity Of considering
this great question the emancipation OF the slaves,
Notwithstanding this 1t has again recently declared
that 1t would not entertain the matter before the
Instruction in Cuba was entirely put down. But
In admitting that this declaration has for the gov
eminent some little force In regard to Cuba, 1t can
not be applied to Porto Rico, fer there is no insur-
rection in the latter place, the authority of the
Mother Country is recognized and respected. and
the cOlonsts have representatives in the Assembly
to defend their interests.
II Is not for to point out the probable results
OF decision opposed to Justice and reason as it
Is opposed TO wise policy. We come, therefore-we,
simple friends Of hUmanity-tO ask the government
to decree immediate emancipation as an act OF JUS
tice which we owe to the slave population OF
these two isles Not only humanity, religion and
a wise policy should dictate this act of justice,
but still the glory and the honor OF the nation
which is at stake. spain is the last Christian
nation whose escutcheon Is stained by the en-
blcms of slavery is not the efYacing OF this faint
worthy OF great and supreme effort
The statesman who shall accomplish this will ac-
auire for himself an imperishable renOwn and f0T
his country glory that shall never be enaced.
You, sir, undertake this task and complete i'll
We have the honor, sir, to respectfully salute
you.
Guizot, Martin, Labouaye M0nod, Br0glie, De
Presserse julius II. Wobbers (Utrecht), President
for Holland; Joseph Cooper, London, and A. Cha-
meroozOw Secretary OF the Conference.
PARIS Dec. II, 1872.