, 1873-11-20
SLAVERY IN CUBA,

Mr. Summers timely letter on tho Cuban OK
cttsmeht bsinga up again the question OF Eman-
cpation. We have no great atook OF faith in the
Spanish Republic, but there can be- no doubt
that President Caatelar Is Al ardent anti-slayory
man, and that what be can do to advance tho
cause Of emancipation be will do We foar that
lie can do but little.
The insurgents have made emancipation ono
Of their watchwords, and their fo1ces ara 80
largely composed Of negroes that, II successful,
they would be compelled to FREQ the remainder,
The wealthy alave-owners Of Cuba understand
this. Their Club,-the Casino Espagnol,-
which controls the actions Of tho Volunteers
more than any other power, clinga to Spanish
rule principally on this account. They arc
firmly convinced that Spain can never abolish
slavery in Cuba. Though CASTELAR, is an ayowed
Emancipationist. they have no moro fear from
his Government than from those who have pre-
ceded him. Though the liberation Of tho slaves
in Porto Rico (of whom there arc but 50 000)
las been formally proclaimed, they say that no
Spanish Government will dare to undertake tho
liberation Of the SEC. 600 alaves in Cuba. Spain
clings tenaoiously to Cuba Oh account Of tho
immense revenue the island yields. The aboli-
tion Of slave-labor would materially losaen tho
production and decrease tho revenues. Hence 1t
il not likely TINT any Government will feel itself
strong enough to Interfere with tho "peculiar
institution Of Cuba.
The history Of attempted emancipation In
Cuba justiaes this opinion. The ''Moret Law"
OF 1870, passed whilo serrano Was Regent, estab-
lishod g project Of emancipation. All slaves who
had attained tho age Of GO we're dcclared free,
and likewise all children born Of Rlayo mothers
nfter tho publication Of tho low. It bound the
proprietorB to roar all children born after that
date under aystom OF apprenticeship, tho
freedmen to receive half tho wages Of freo-
men after they reached Is years. aud to become
absolutely fsee md poa4essed Of civil rights at
tho age Of "a yours. Had the law been rocog-
nlzed in Cuba, thoro would be no slayes there in
thu year 1886 except the survivors Of the old con-
dltion prior to tho paanagc OF the law. But tho
fact ID that the " Morct Law las nayer been
recognized In Cuba. It was two yoars before
the Volunteers would permit it to DO published
in tho Cuban newspapers; and, even attor
such publication, the Shareholders put their own
Interpretation on it. 1t haa served them, In
fact, III means Of getting rid of tho old and
dccropid Hayo mothers, too, have beou moro
willing tl1au before to bear children III tho belief
tlat tboy wcro born free. but It hau mover Gil
tered tho minds OF the Cuban saye.owners to
obey tho Law. As spanlsh 1ulo and slavery arc
mutually dependent in Cuba. 80 independence
and abolition will go hand in hand.
Tho maslu1nisalon of tho Cuban alavos IL oven
Il moro serious matter for future consideration
than tho struggle for Cuban Independence.
Upon the manner tu Which 1t H]latl bo undertaken
will depend tho prosperity Of the iulana and,
perhaps, tho supremacy Of tho European races
Tic preHont population Of Cuba IL about
100000, Of whom about 870, 900 arc slavos aud
uearly 200, 900 fsee blaoha. The lattor have been
Increased In numbers by tho policy adopted by
both co''tond!ng partiea OF fraeiug tle blacks
thas come oyer from. the enemy. Tho estimated
i value Of theBe 6layoa is $500, ,0o0,b0o. Tia IT,
tual yalue Of tl,a HlayoB, howoyos, dosa
nos represent tholr worth, prcaont and psos.
peostTs, to the owners. Cuba exports produus