The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-26
SLITERY IN CUBl.
The Rev. n. n. Garnet and his Associates
CAN for America's Protest.

The Rev. II. IT. Garnet and MS Associates
Caii for Americs's Pretest.
To- Hon. VIM forts Secretary fSpt, 70, me- Un'e Safes
DEAR SIR: In behalf OF the American For
eign Ant-Slavery Society, l have the honor to
call the attention OF our Government to tho sub
jest of slavery in tho Island OF Cuba. matter
which will continue to receive the attention VI
our citizens 50 long as this great evil exists
We are aware Of the past efforts OF our Govern
ment to effect an end to the late rebellion In
Cuba on tho basis OF tho abolition OF slavery.
and we were sorry that the very existence OF
tho revolution wns proclaimed as the reason
why the Spanish Government could not ATTEMPT
to enforce this and other measures OF reform.
But now that peaco roigns In Spain and abroad
In her colonies we think that we may reason
ably ask and expect OF her very important re-
forms.
1t is n fact well known to the society that
there is an increasing uneasiness among the
freedmen OF the United States as tho intel
ligence reaches them OF the enslavoment OF
island 50 ttis removed from their =" own
country; That sympathy Is now intensified
by the knowledge OF the failure Of the late
rebellion there to accomplish anything by way
OF relief TO- the slave population. During the
ten years 81 war ~ Cuba. whatever knowledge
OF the condition OF the slaves came to this coun-
try was relieved by the hope continually enter
mined that ut least the rebellion would effect tho
s92tion OF slavery PIT now that thS war ha al
sympathizers here are very much intensified
and II requires no stretch OF the imagination to
foreseo that from this time forth we shall have
this sympathy turned 10 account by a few Of the
many OF SPANS Injured citizens who have
society would positively assure our Govern
ment that the dangerous aspect OF AFFAIRS In
this country Is not exaggerated. as we have evil
dence that would lead us to this Just conclusion.
Whatever may be the opinion OF tho Govern
ment, and however reluctant II may be 10 inter
fere in the domestic affairs OF u foreign State.
we believe that you will rightly conclude with
us That protest against the continuance OF
slavery in Cuba Is entirely justiflable on hu-
manitarian grounds. and because we have a
right to demand that the internal affairs OF our
neighbors shall he 80 regulated that the peace
and happiI1ess OF our own country shall be Sc
cured.
The society would also call the attention OF
tne honorape secretary OF atate To- note q ms
bearing date Nov. 8, 1876. and directed to our
Minister at Madrid. Mr.. Cushing. also to our
many. Austria. and Italy. inviting them to unite
with us Ia friendly mediation with Spain for the
Modification Of Cuba and the abolition OF slavery.
Though the end OF the war has rendered media.
ton AS between combatants Improbable at
this time. yet we are aware that the causes
which led to this last horrible struggle have not
been removed. and that 1t has ceased simply
because OF the exhaustion OF material where
with to carry on the strife. The same unjust
and oppressive laws remain in force. and that
greatest OF all questions. the abolition Of slavery.
has marked "a distinct line between parties
thcre-the native Cuhans, who have rsked all
for the freedom of the slaves. and the Spanish
element, who favor slavery. There is u smoul-
dering fire there which the merest accident may
cause to flame. la fact. the condition Of affairs
there Is such ms To Justly warrant the iuterfer-
ence OF Christian nations for humanitys sake.
and We feel justified in asking our Government
TO renew lis former invitations to European
Governments To- Join i ia decided protest
against the existence OF slavery in Cuba. an in
sttution 81 repuEnant to the Just sense OF all
| Christian people, and the existence Of which in
such close proximity 10 our own shores il "A
HunnNHnpp "A
dagger threatening the peaceful relations
] which 1t il our desire shall perpetually exist
r.'spondencc of tubs society with the British and
| Foreign Anti Slavery society and with others.
! would lead US 10 believe that such AN invitation
would meet with the hearty approval OF the
British people; and we may add that the tone
| and repeated conferences with persons well in
formed on the subject, lead us confidently TO pre-
| diet that the British Foreign ONCE would speed
| ily cooperate with our own IN any measures
| designed 10 promote the cause OF emancipation
| in Cuna aud the establishment there of lasting
| reforms.
| In this connection we would repeat the words
| OF President CASTELAR,. when he recommended a
| policy TO loo pursued in Cuba and Porto Rico.
| Let us reduce 10 formulas our policy in
| America he said. First. the immediate abp-
| ltion, Of slavery Secondly. autonomy Of the
! Islands Of Porto Rico and Cuba which shall
| have II parliamentary assembly Of their own.
| their own administration. their own govern
| ment and "a federal tie tounite .hem with Spain
! rs Canada IL united with Englgnd In order that
| we may found the liberty Of thN-e States. and ~
the same time conserve tho national integrity.
| DIES re that the islands oi Cuba and Porto Rico
| shall be our sisters. and / do not desire that
| they shall be- Transatlantic Polands" We he
| eVe that the united Governments might justly
| recommend these memorable words NJ this time
TO the attention OF Spain. Should such "A course
be pursued slavery would be doomed at once.
| Nothing but the power Of Spanish hayonets to-
| day uphods this barbarous Institution in oppo-
sition 10 the wishes Of the native Cuhans.
| In matter which seems possibly like inter
| ference into the domestic concerns OF a foreign
State we can appreciate the difficulties that
| present themselves in the way Of insisting on
| changes in their Internal policies. On this
point. however. permit us TO cite the late war in
| Turkey and the late Congress at Berlin as es-
| Mblishlng "A very important point hearing on
this subject. 10 wit that II is the right and duty
| even to the extent Of war. Of a nation to insist
| on the Christian ,Chrstan in princple) and
humanitarian government of all subjects Of q
! neighboring State. The atrocities perpetrnted
| in Bulgaria were not only a sufficient cause for
war on the part OF Russia. but the Christian
vented those who would willingly have gone tc
| the aid OF the Ottoman Empire. Now. is not
| slavery condemned by the Christian sentiment
OF the world? Is IT not abhorrent 10 every just
| sentiment Ia II not a violation OF the rights OF
mani Then who shall say that We violate the
| private or public rights OF any State when We
insist that all It's inhabitants shall be absolutely
! frecY VINO shall say aught II this. the free
country Of Lincoln, shall lay it down MS "A law &c
be- accepted by all nations that slavery is d
crime against humanity. ana il is the right and
duty OF nations and OF individuals 10 Interfere
for the liberation and protection OF the en-
snyed. wheresOever held.
Trusting that this subject will present itse
to our Government in the light Of duty. and tha
our petition may receive your early attention
We remain your humble servants.
In behalf oi the society,
S. Il. ScoTTgoS. Secretary.
New YORK. July 25. 1878.
The Troops at Panama.
70 Tn,