The New York herald., 1879-12-16
SLAVERY IN CUBA.
Attitude of the Government and
the Parties.
WHY THE SLAVE REYOLTS.
Social and Economic Aspects
Of Emancipation.

HAVANA. Dec. 8. 1879.
Many persons here were jubilant on hearing that
in the Eastern Department of the island there had
been another rising in arms-euse de bouctiers-and
that armed men were securing the country in OPP
position to the government thinking that their
propheses being realized because they had
classified the peace only q truce and prognosti-
Gated that the would again break out. But they
are not right. The peace of zanjon was in reality
peace; in good faith all sheathed their swords. be-
eving that during years of if they had not
been able to gain independence for their country.
they least had gained its liberty and free nstitu-
tons which the principal object Of their aspira-
tions while fghting for independence
WHY THE REVOLT
The movement in the East in its origin above
all eminently socia-n way political. The causes
are well known. The frghtful misery of these dis
trcts the idea general that those who had previ
ously laid down their had received large sums
from Martinez Campos, induced some whites and
many negroes to rise to live by the to sell
their submission dearly With regard to the negroes.
there were reasons that should have inspired moro
zeal on the part Of the government, more activity
and more promptitude in regulating their future
situation. The abandonment in which they were
presumed to be by the whites and by the govern
ment; their natural wish to obtain their freedom;
the promises that had been made to them, and the
discussions of the periodicals during the govern
ment of General Martinez Campos. together with
the example given them by their companions. who
came from the insurrection free because they
had fought-au this induced them to rise
and In arms to seek for what apparently they
could not obtain pacifcally. On the part Of the
slaves there has been and there is toward the
negroes . monstrous ingrattude. as during the war
they in general remained tranquil leaving the troops
FREQ to fight against the independents. They
tinued work and to give their services that the
production of the island should not diminish and
that the of the government should not be
less. Many fought in the ranks OF the Spaniards
with valor and constancy. and once the peace
established nothing done in their favor. On the
contrary. their situation became WORSE They re-
manned in slavery; the bad crops. the want of
sources the scarcity Of hands dragged the proprie
tors to exact Of them more. to treat them Is
1t strange, therefore, that at last their patience
ended their hope all gone. the most daring should
rise and fight in favor of the Of their race?
During the government OF Martinez Campos,
IS said to you in my last letter. there great
tolerance for the press. That reused envy and
jealousy of the press in Spain. Everything was
freely iscussedpolitics administration and social
reform. The cause of the prompt and dehnitive
abolition of slavery had eloquent and obstinate de-
silence has been generally and systematically I'M
posed wrte rigor that brings to mind the most
oninous times of the censure, and now nothing Is
permitted to be discussed
GENERAL BLANCOs ORDERS.
of the world He only believes in his good fortune
and in his protector. Martinez Campos. As
soldier no mas the same degree OF merit as other
If he let alone. He would Go nothing But
now he is subject to General Campos. and from
Madrid orders against the press.
against certain local preensons that he shall man-
tain the principle of authority with vgor. For the
Spanish soldier authority only exists in the military
statutes and in what is practised in the barracks.
We live for the moment under those statutes and
EARLY In October last the Governor General re-
ceived telegram from Madrid requesting him
to call together the chiefs Of the two political
parties and directors of the different periodicals.
aud notify them that the government had de-
cided to present Immediately to the Congress a
project of law to the execution Of the twenty
first article of the Moret law. and to ask of the
first their opinion Of the basis (which was enclosed
and of the second that they should publish 1t for
general information and prepare the public opinion.
that it should be well received and accepted.
General Blanco being absent. his second, General
Caejas. called to the palace Messrs. More and Gal
the one president of the committee of the
servatve party and the other Of that OF the liberal
party. Both heard the despatch of the government
read and excused themselves from giving any imme-
diate reply until they could consult with their
friends and know the true opinion of each party.
Frequent and long were the meetings held by
ssrvatives were surprised Their anger and indiy-
nation prevented any real discussion Afterward
they manifested two distinct tendencies-one that Of
the uncompromising minority. that only wants the
Moret law. without the twenty-frst article,
and who will not admit any combination any plan
that will help to make the manumission OF the
groes more rapid the other that of the majority.
who sh that the slave shall change his condition.
but requiring term of eight years for his being de-
cared free. Both opinions were given to the Gen
eral to be transmitted to the government. With
the liberal party there also two distinct opin-
ions. All accepted the basis that slavery be abolished
from the PRONUNCIATION Of the law. The majority
thought that term conditions should be ad-
mitted; the minority wished to have guardianship
by the owners established during four years. Both
opinions were transmitted to General Calejas.
GOVERNMENTAL PRoJEcT. d
The basis Of the project remitted by the govern
slavery shall be abolished In this island from the
day in which the abolition is publisheds The freed
men will remain under the patronage Of their own
ers for fre years, during which they will receive
salary Of from 10 three dollars per month. They shall
aferDard be sorted By lot four parts each year, aud
other Jour pears. at the end of which they will enter
hto the enjoyment of civil and political rights"
them to work, and says that in this manner viii Be
fulfilled what was ordered by the Law Of the 4th OF
July, 1871.
MANAGING THE hEss.
The Secretary Of the government called to his
Office the directors OF the different periodicals and
read to them the telegram. long discussion fol-
lowed as to whether the press should tho
project or whether they should applaud It. The
director of the Dd'o de Ia Marina said that oil dis
cussion would be dangerous and that il would bo
better to limit themselves simply to publishing
the telegram for public information. The Secretary
coincided with this idea declaring his opinion
opposition to the project would be uncalled for,
as the government had only asked for the
support OF the press. and in no way had asked for
their opinion. The director of La Vos de Cuba
accepted the proposal thinking II dangerous to dis
cuss the question through the press but protested
against the project. which. he thought. favored
the slave more than the Moret law. The director OF
III TT1Gro accepted the proposition. but on condition
that It be equal to al. and that II the authorities
allowed the project being applauded in any way
IL ought also to allow OF its being impugned
The meeting dissolved. the Secretary promising
TO remit i'm meiiately to each periodical an official
copy OF the basis contained in the despatch. This
no did, but suppressng all that have italicized In
my neutrality-suspicious. that were made by the
government knowing that the project would be
badly received by public opinion.
DH1wEEN Two STOOLS.
The government, as is it's custom, has not con-
tented one or the other. The negroes. of course.
hsvc not been consulted, and surely will not be dis
posed to admit these conditions to obtain their lib
erty. In my opinion the government or Congress
will have to modify considerably these conditions.
At the last hour told that the General has tee
graphed to Madrid that the political parties and the
PRESS have offered their support TO the project Of