New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-02-06
vention to terminate this sad state Of at.

~
that Englishmen should ask what has brought,
about this lamentable state Of affairs? And
also why there should be no immediate pros
pect Of the termination Of this sanguinary
and disastrous civil war? These questions
are easily answered. Caba has always been
held by Spain, not as Canada is held by Eng
land-for the benefit of the people-but that
that the Spanish exchcquer might be en-
riched out Of the revenues of the island and
African slave trade. In the pursuit
OF these unrighteous objects the laws of God
and man have been systematically defied.
The speech of the Hon. d. W. Voorhees,, in
the Senate Of the United States, shows that
wherever Spain rules negro slavery shares
her authority, and is, in fact, blended with
all acts Of her administration while in all
those districts Of the island which acknowl-
edge the revolutionary government, slavery
has ceased to exist by virtue Of the organic
law Of the Republic. This, then, is the broad
difference between the teo parties: the one
is fighting for the maintenance of the worst
species Of oppression, the other as assuredly
for its immediate and unconditional aboli-
tion."
Although the nntice-born Cubans are
nearly all Of Spanish descent, the island
was always treated by Spain as conquered
province. The Captain General rules as
absolutely as a commandcr-n-chI in the
field. The facts set forth in Mr.. Voorhees,
speech are well worthy Of public attention."
The Examiner says: "The revolution has
been coupled with another question more
directly touching our sympathies. Since the
10th of August, 1868, the insurgents have
been fighting not only for themselves, but for
the slaves. They have carried on war
against slavery as well as against Spain. In
two senses, therefore, it is battle of free
dom: If the insurgents succeed, slavery on
the island will be destroyed; if they are van
pushed, which is not probable, slavery will
be perpetuated."
The Scotsman says: 1T was stated only
the other dav that Spain must send 4O, 600
men to the island if she wished to put down
the instruction. A far better plan would be
to put down the volunteers, and make terms
"'sh thC iuoui gents.
There is every reason to believe that, if
public opinion in Spain were informed ofthc
true merits Of the case, there would soon be
a pacification of the island, and that Cuba
would be for the Cubans. Not only have the
Cubans declared against slavery, but they
have pronounced for free trade"
The Newcastle Chronicle says: "That the
insurgent movement is an ant-slavery move
ment is proven by two circumstances. In
the first place, slavery no longer exists in
Cuba except where the Spanish Government
is in power and maintains it. In the second
place, the Cuban Constitution declares that
all the inhabitants of the Republic of Cuba are
already free."
The Anglo-American Times, April goth,
1871, carefully estimates the cost of the war
and puts the amount Of property destroyed
and wealth consumed in Cuba during the war
at tJfy:four millions sterling.
The Echo says: "There are two rebellions
in Cuba. The history of the one, which we
know is written in blood, and smoke, and
flame; while that of the other, whatever re-
cord of it there be in the archives at Madrid,
is yet sealed book to the great majority of
the Spanish people.
"The so-called loyal party in Cuba is, in
reality, as inimical to the rule Of Spain as
the party which has taken up arms in defense
of what it believes to be its inalienable
rights; and, Of the two, the one which is
drawing upon its mother country for unlim-
tied supplies Of men, and arms, and $50 far
as acquisitions go) Of money, is perhaps the
most to be dreaded. The Spanish volunteers
rule the island-not Spain. They are Span
iards by birth, who have gone to Cuba to
make fortunes. They always have been the
chief supporters of slavery and the slave
trade"
So thoroughly convinced Is the Spanish
Government of its inability to cope with the
volunteers, that it was obliged to swallow in
silence the following words, pronounced by
Senator Mendcz Vigo, in the session of the
18th Of July, 1872:
There are people in Spain who propose
to disarm the volunteers. Who can disarm
them: The Government Will it attempt
the task? Has it the right or the force to
do it? The volunteers will not deliver up
their arms" Now, does such Government
as Spain has shown herself to be deserve a
place among the enlightened ones Of the
earth?
A nation that fails to comply with its most
solemn International obligations. and in spite
Of the condemnation of the civilized world,
continues trading in human flesh, and no.
satisfied with having tyrannized for more
than two hundred years over a cultivated
and enlightened people, wages war of ex-
termination against them because they arose
and struck for liberty and independence.
A people whose first act in raising the cry
of independence was to proclaim the eman-
cipation Of every slave, and equal rights to
all, should receive the support Of this Gov
eminent.
Extracts from the Cuban Constitution and
Government
Article ]. The legislative power shall be
vested IN the House Of Representatives"
Article "a. All the inhabitants of the
hepubhc OF Cuba are absolutely free"
ARTICLE &c. The Republic shall not be-
or "a. IL