Year: 1866

THE END or PLANTER RULE IN


JAMAICA.


The course Of events in Jamaica in connec-
ton with the so-callcd Rebellion Of the Blacks,
shows that the charge Of seditious conspiracy
attaches to the dominant class in that colony
rather than to tho negroes. 1t is now evident
that, under the Governors auspices, theplanters
had plotted the destruction Of the political
liberties Of the freed people of the country.
The secret Of Gordon's murder, Of the massacre
of nearly 1000 Blacks, and the other atrocities
committed under pretense Of suppressing insur-
recton was the determination Of these men to
crush out, if possible, oil political freedom and
independence in Jamaica, to fetter the press and
make it their slave, and to gather all power Into
their own hands, in order that they might en-
/ ploy the whole machinery Of government to
further their own selfish ends for it deserves
to be known that, although Gov. Eyre assumes
tho responsibility OF the bloody work done in
81. Thomas in the East, his constitutional ad.
viscrs," who acted in concert with him during





class Taking advantage Of the Morant Bay
riot, it was determined to strike blow that
would spread terror over the whole land, thus
leaving the oligarchy at liberty to pursue their
sinister designs without fear Of further trouble
from popular agitation. That blow. however,
is about to rccoil with terrible effect upon the
heads Of those who struck it. The end of plant
cr domination in Jamaica is come.


The annual session Of the Island Legislature
was opened On the 9TH ult., and on the very
same day the members Of the Executive Com
mttee in the House Of Assembly introduced, in
accordance with recommendation made by
Coy. Eyre in his opening speech, a bill to re-.
model the political constitution Of the colony
Hitherto the Jamaica Legislature has consisted
of three branches: the Crown, represented by
the Governor for the time being; the Legislative
Council, composed exclusively Of nominees of
tho Crown; and the House Of Assembly, elected
By the people. For this constitution it was
proposed by the bill in question to substitute q
single legislative chamber. two-thirds Of whose
members should be elected, and One-third ap.
pointed by the Crown-in other words, by tho
Governor At the same time, the property
qualification for membership required under the
old Constitution was retained; but under such
notifications as would have the effect of giving
the largo landholders q sweeping majority in
the new chamber; while the voting qualifea.
tion--a property one also-wns fixed at so high
u standard as practically to exclude the great
bulk of the Black freeholders from the exercise
Of the franchise. This revolutionary measure
was hurried through both the Assembly and the
Legislative Council in few days, with scant
debate, and had just received the Governors as.
sent, when the English mail arrived, taking o
dispatch from the Colonial Office to Mr.. Eyre
that changed at once the whole complexion of
affairs, and completely upset the plans of the
planter oligarchy. Particulars of the disturb
ances in Jamaica, Of the massacre of the Blacks
and the other atrocities committed had reached
that state of things had arisen in Jamaica
which demanded that ii should deyate from its
ordinary practice and policy as regards colonial
administration, and undertake tho responsibility
of directing the affairs Of Jamaica for the future
Thus spoke the dispatch; and Gov. Eyre, in
communicating communicating It's substance to the House Of
Assembly, accordingly invited the Legislature
80 TO amend the act recently passed to alter
and amend the constitution as would leave her
Majesty unfcttered in determining the character
Of the future constitution, and the administra.
tive machinery by which the business of the
country is 10 be conducted"


The question now arises, How will the plont.
ers act in the circumstances Will they make
grace of necessity, and yield to the Imperial
Government, relinquishing the power they have
so fearfully abused or will they assume an
attitude of antagonism, and thus compel Par.
Lament to pass law making Jamaica Crown
colony' Arc they prepared to die decentlv.
like Caesar, covering his head with his robe as
he fell; or will they show fight to the last in a
bad cause For 1t must now be accepted as.a
foregOne conclusion that they shall rule Jamaica
no longer. The government of the country has
been virtually in their hands since emancipa.
ton, and they have been allowed to have
things pretty much their own wsy-with what
sad results, is patent to the world. They must
lcoRSeQusauy lelaquish thsir power, aul En-.