New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-13
SLAVERY IN PORTO RICO.
DRAFT OF TIE BILL IN THE SPANISH CoRTEs
FOR EMANCIPATION,

DRAFT OF The BILL IN THE SPANISH CORTES
FOR EMANCIPATION.
The following is the text of the measure in
troduced in the Spanish Cortes on Dec "a by Senior
Mosquera, Minister OF Ultramar, for the abolition Of
Slavery in Porto Rico
PREAMBLE TO THE CoRrEs-In the name Of Cod and
out OF respect TO reason morality TO justice to public
Convenience and the national dignity, the Government
fulfilling the sacred Of their promises ana the most
Of their duties tSe abolition u saVeTy
in the Province Of Porto Rico Their most vehement
desires would be realized and their most deacate scru
few rebels did not impede their dspensIng tne same m
apprecabe benefit to Cuba Win tns he wapsa
izatIons OF labor In the Two lsanus, tne ustliGt
density of their population the emo ntSs npe}n5 AZ
ferences in their respective social states Inc Govern
ment would fear they would DC i9 t in
view of the generous determination OF inc legislature
Unfortunate those in whom the silence OF Ine con-
IL is moral law patent as Conservatory, Inat the CON
science should eyer travel as an pa ia b
solemn moment that. after examining tue reform unue
all aspects, they have found hotng OuI new anu
addition to it's justice. -, II, =, A..
Gradual abolition which perhaps some day VIII be tne
form necessary for emancipation IN CuDa Oners no al
vantages 20 recommend II in Porto Rico III the latter
the population of African origin is not numerous IN com
parson to the inhabitants of European origin Almost
an the negroes have been born III the island. or the
81 900 who are in slavery less than less
than 9Obare the only dedicated TO held labor the
est 1--we m species Of domestic servude, as sterile for
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of their masters as favorable for
fine education OF the slaves and their dedication To me
cbanica pursuits Neither the number nor the class OF
those who may pass day from the bad condition OF
things to the noble status Oh eeuo oAers 'neieiOio
There thus dawns the happy day In which Spain shall
iyiIizstion casualty which appears providential
paces the presentation OF this project on the day conse
Grated by Christianity to the COMMUNICATION OF the Drh
~ Him Who came to change the face of the world, TO
the chains Of all slavery and TO preach the equality
of an men in the sight of God. Let us aid His work by
realizing new progress for the good OF mankind and the
benefit of the country Slavery Is monstrOslty no
than 10 him who suffers 1t. All grand humani-
tartan ard patriotoN interests lolnty demand It's
~ tbe same time to the good Of the liberated ana
TO the honor of the hberator Religion demands IT, toI
between the children of common Father there ought
not 10 be oppressed nor Oppressors Grahty uehanus
it, for there be mertorous act where there no
free will aud the soul of the slave is almost ever blank,
closed to every idea OF duty ana every sentiment OF
virtue, Right demands II, for there Is no infy com
parable to the mutilaton Of the human entty IN tle
most noble and essential OF It's attributes Uuhtaran-
ism demands IT, for tho labor OF the slave Is the least
intelligent. least active the least productive Patriot
demands IT, for apathy ana ieeDieness ana cOrIup
ton are the ordinary castsation or those peoples
who somnoent in their efeminaey. abandon to
selfish hands the multltudlD0us appIeauons oI iSpoi
eternal law OF nature and eternal companion OF our
dignity. Polity demands H. for domestic habits have so
intimate connection with public customs that where
sOever the slave exists aud grOans 1t Is difficult 70 nave
citizens apt for the ausere exercise OF liberty PRUDENCE
demands it, for the no0nslderate prOongaOh Vi every
abuse renders remedy more dheult and ITS eorrec-
II is demanded In snort, by govern
mental necessities given system OF representative
institutions for free nations no resistance can prevail
against the force OF public opinion, and in SPAIN Ortu
nateIy public opinion has frankly and resOuely pro-
nOunced against this barbarOus mOnstr0sity, whose
presumed benefits are into gold the sweat, the
iears the blood and the soul Of unhappy race hith
erto condemned 10 the lash and the chain.
BASED ION these high considerations, the Minister who
subscrbes by accord with his companions and duly gu
thorzed by his Majesty has the honor (Which ne eseen
The greatest his feJ 10 submit To the dehDeraOn OF
inc Cortes the following project Of law
ARTICLE /. Slavery in the province or Porto Rico Is
totally and forever abolished. The slaves shall be de
co free at the end OF four months after the publication
Of this law in the Official Gazette OF Porto Rico
ART q The owners shall be Unidentified IN the terms
OF the following article:
ART g. The amount OF indemnity shall be fixed by the
Government under the proposition OF commission COM
posed of the Superior Civil Governor OF Porto RcO Pres
dent the Jefe Economco OF the Province the Fiscal Of
the Audenca three individuals nominated by the Depu-
tacon Provincial and three others by the largest
sors of slaves the island The accords Of the commits
sion shall be by majority.
ART 4 OF the amount ixed for indemnity 80 per cent.
shall be paid the owners, half by the State and half
by the province OF Porto Rico. The remaining 20 per
cent shall be a charge on the owners themselves.
ART g. The Government shall be authorized 70 procure
resources and adopt whatever dispositions may DO
esteemed necessary for the exact execution OF this law
in the terms fixed in Articles and 2.
TOMAS MARIA MosQUERA, Minister OF Ultrarnar.
Madrid Dec. a. 1874