The New York herald., 1873-12-23
slavery In Cuba.

The slave-owners in Cuba are beginning to
feel uncomfortable at the prospect Of the def
mite establishment of republic in Spain.
They see clearly enough that even nominal
republicans cannot permit the continuance OF
the infamous system Of forced labor, and are
therefore anxious to put their good intentions
on record, to be used as kind of shield when
the day of struggle comes. Zulueta and his
companions are graciously pleased to inform
the world that slavery is not in keeping with
the progressive spirit of the age, and cannot
be continued indefinitely; but they think it
ought to be abolished slowly. According to
their views ten or twenty years would be re-
quired to deprive emancipation of its evil
effects. This belief is very natural on the
part of the slave-owners, but what about the
slaves? BY the Moret law the children born
during the last few years will be free
when they reach the age OF eighteen.
They will hardly, however, be compelled to
wait SO long. If CASTELAR, be not false to the
liberalism he has SO loudly proclaimed he
will take steps to give immediate freedom to
the slaves. The plea of the owners for time
ought not to be listened to. Already they
have had more than enough time given them
The cry of gradual emancipation is only put
forward to gain time, in accordance with the
well known tactics of the Casino Espaiiol.
We have become accustomed to the hypocriti-
cal demand for delay which is meant only to
deceive. Whether or not the interests of men
like Zulueta are subjected to severe strain by
giving freedom to the unfortunate slaves is
altogether matter Of secondary importance
to the world at large.
We suppose that in no country have quar-
ter of million of human beings been relieved
from cruel injustice without the interests Of
the men who preyed upon them receiving
rude shocks. Such considerations ought not
to stand one instant in the way of justice
being done. The Spanish Republic has yet to
conquer for itself place among the justice
loving and progressive nations Of the world
So far it's career has not justified the promises
with which it was ushered into the community
of nations. Civil war at home, cruel oppres-
right, eliminating in q barbarous massacre,
are stains to be Washed out. If Spanish re-
publicanism be not hollow pretence the
system Of slavery in Cuba should be put an
end to at once and forever. 1t is the one act
that may yet redeem the character of the revo-
lution of September and prove that
the men who, drove Isabella from her
Throne were something more than ambitious
politicians and frothy mountebanks. Not
alone FROM q sense Of justice, but even from
motives of safety Spain ought to seize the
opportunity of freeing the Cuban slaves.
Abolition would break the backbone of the
insurrection and assure for the Spanish
government the sympathy and moral sapPms.
of foreign nations. This must be patent to
every one but the selfish slave masters, who
sacrifice everything to the hope Of immediate
gain. Yet the government at Madrid is
sacrificing the only chance Of pacifying the
island to the clamors Of this selfish class. We
urge prompt abolition in the interest of
Spain herself as well as of the unfortunate
slaves, and because we know that all plans of
gradual emancipation are simply illusory
and only meant to deceive.