New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-26
SLAVERY IN CUBA.
THE GOVERNMENT ASKED TO INTERFERE.

SLA FEHI IN CCDds
THE GOVERNMENT ASKED TO INTERFERE.
LETTER FROM THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN
ANTI-sLAvERY SOCIETY TO SECRETARY EyARTs.
The American and Foreign Anti-Slavcry So
ciety OF which the Rev. Dr. Henry Highland Garnet is
president has the following letter to Secretary
Eyarts asking for efforts by the Government to procure
the abolition OF slavery in Cuba:
10 the Hon. WILLIAM EvARrs, Secretary Of State of the
United States.
DEARsm; In behalf OF the American and Foreign Anti
Slavery Society," have the honor to call the attention OF
our Government to subject Of slavery In tho Island
of Cuba matter which will continue TO receive the at
tention and sympathy Of our citizens so long as TINS
great evil exists. We aware OF the past efforts OK
our Government to effect an end to tue late revolution
in Culn on the basis OF the abolition OF slavery. and
were sorry that the very existence OF the revolution
was proclaimed as the why the Spanish Govern
men could attempt to enforce this and other meas
ures of reform that reigns In Spain and
abroad in her colonies, think we may reasonably
ask and expect of her very important reforms
Its fact well known TO this society that there Is an
increasing uneasnss among the freedmen OF the United
States as intelligence reaches them OF the ensave-
meut OF hundreds Of thousands OF their race In an
island little removed from their own country-a sym
patty now intensified by the knowledge OF the
failure of the late rebellion there to accomplish
anything by way OF relief to the slave
whatever knowledge OF tho condition OF the slaves came
10 this country was much relieved by the hope which
was continually entertained that at least the rebellion
would effect the abolition OF slavery But now that the
war has failed entirely in its objects. the feelings OF all
sympathzers here much intensified. and requires
no stretch OF Imagination to foresee that from TINS
time forth we shall have this sympathy turned to ac-
count by few OF the many Of SPANS injured citizens
who are making our country their temporary home.
This society would positively assure our Governments
that this dangerous aspect OF affairs In fhs countryn
not exaggerated have evidence which leads us
TO this lust conclusion Whatever may be the opinion OF
the Government and however reluctant may De 10 IN
fere in the domestic affairs OF foreign state, we DeieVs
that you will rightly conclude with us, that protest
against the continuance of slavery in Cuba is entirely
iustifable: first humanitarian grounds; and Sec
onalv that we have right to demand that the affairs
of our negbors shall be regulated that the peace and
happiness of our own country shall be secure.
The society would also call the attention OF the Hon.
orabe Secretary OF State note OF his predecessor In
office the Hon. Hamilton Fish, bearing date November
g. 1870 and directed TO our Minister at Madrid MI
Cushing also Ministers TO France Great Britan'
Russia, Germany, Austria and Italy, inviting them
TO unite with us friendly mediation with spain Tor the
paciffcation OF Cuba aud the abolition oil slavery.
Though the end OF the has rendered mediation as
between combatants mpracIcable at this time. yet We
are aware that the causes which led to this last horrible
have been removed aud that IL has ceased
simply because of the exhaustion OF material w9rewtn
TO continue The unjust and oppressive laws re-
main In force that greatest Of all questions the
abolition OF slavery has marked distinct line between
parties here-the native Cubans, who have risKed all
for the freedom of the slaves and the Spanish clement
who favor slavery There is smouldering hre there
which merest accident may cause TO ame In iact'
the condition of affairs there is such as 10 justly warrant
the interference of Christian nations for humanitys
sake and we feel justified in asking our Governments
ia
join N decided protest against tue eSlsteoo
of slavery IN Cuba an institution repugnant 10 tue
ust sense of all Christian peoples aud the existence OF
which, in such close proximity 10 our own snVres'
danger Threatening the peaceful relations which II Is
our desire shall perpetualy contipuc between SPAN
and the United States The correspondence oi lnIs
society with the British and Foreign Antrsavssy
society ana with others, would lead US TO believe that
such an invitation would meet with the hearty approval
OF the British people: aud wo may add tnat the tohe
rather Than letter of Correspondence and re-
pented conferences with persons well lhornea on inS
Foreign ONCE would speedily cooperate with our O"
IN any measures designed 10 promote tue cause OF
emancipation III Cuba, and the establishments OF s'Hs
reform.
In connection with this point, we would repeat the
words of President CASTELAR,, when he recommended
policy to be pursued in Cuba and Porto Rico Let US
reduce TO formulas policy in America says me-
First the immediate abolition OF slavery; secondly
autonomy of the islands OF Porto Rico and CuOa' "hen
shall have parliamentary assembly Of ther OWL ui'n
own administration. their own government ana leu-
eral tie unite them with Spain as Canada Il unea
with England, In order that we Iound thc
those States and at the time conserve the na.lohA
integrity desire that the islands Of Cuba ana fOf'o
Rico shall be sisters and do not desire that they
shall be Transatlantic Poauds." We believe that inc
united governments might justly recommend these menu
orable words at this time TO the attention OF spain
Should such be pursued in Cuba slavery wouio
be doomed at Nothing but the presence OF Span
ish bayonets to-day upholds this barbarous institution
in opposition the wishes OF the native CuDans IN
matter which possibly like interference win mo
domestic OF a foreign State we eau appieca'c
the difficulties that themselves in the way OF in
sistng oh changes in their internal policies "a TINS
point. however permit cite the late war In IutAey
and the Congress at Berlin establishing u
very important point bearing upon TINS SUI, su
jeef, w.t. That it is the right ana uuity,
the Christian christian IN principie) ana num-
rian government of all subjects OF a neighooflhs
The atrocities porpetraed III Bulgaria were not o.n
sufficient cause for war on the part OF hnss,i D Arc
vented those who would lave willingly gone 10 TUG NV
OF the Ottoman Empire.
Now is not slavery condemned by tn Christian sehu
OF the wordi Is is not aDborrens 70 every Js
sentiments Is it not violation OF the rights oi sI,s
Then who shall say that violate the privale o p,
rights OF State when insist that all lts
ants shall be absolutely free Who shall say ausns
this, the free country OF Lincoln. sbaii lay IL Gown
law accepted by all nations that slavery ns
against humanity, and Il is the night ana cuty OF 2
ind viduals TO interfere for the jeraiiOn an
lection ensaved wheresoeyer held. Ifastius
this will present itself Government ~
light duty, and that our petition may rtteNo I'm
early attention, remain your humble ssIta5.s. v
behalf of tne society, B. X SCorIEoS' oeN'o'"'''
Netc- FORK July %, 1878.