Year: 1872

OF slavery I'm the Colonies.


What has become of the proposal which,
some weeks ago, we were taught to believe,
was about to be made by the republicans in
the Spanish Cortes regarding the abolition of
slavery in the colonies Of Cuba and Porto
RicoP We knew that the republican party in
Spain had always been in favor of abolition,
and it was source Of qualification to us that
the republicans, although they had frequently
failed, were again taking the lead in the same
noble direction. The proposal of the republi-
cans had much to recommend it. If adopted
emancipation would take place Immediately,
and the slave owners would be indemnifed for
The loss of what they are pleased to call their
property. The proposal was to buy off the
slaves in Cuba at the rate Of one thousand
pesetas per head, and in Porto Rico at the rate
of one thousand five hundred per head 1t
was at a cost Of twenty millions of pounds
sterling that the British government wiped out
slavery in the West Indies. 1t will be we'll if
Spain can accomplish her purpose by the same
peaceful means. We doubt, however, whether
such result is possible The Cuban land
owners and shareholders, unless we greatly
mistake, would prefer civil war and bold
struggle for independence. Independence
with slavery, is, however, an impossibility.
The government Of Amadeus will do well to
make the proposal to buy off the slaves. If
the shareholders do not accept the proposal
the next best thing will be to abolish slavery
by special act Of the Cortes, leaving the
slaveholding aristocracy to do the best they
can in the premises. So long as slavery lasts
in Cuba and Porto Rico Spain cannot count
on the sympathy and respect Of the civilized
nations A bold stroke made at the present
moment against slavery might establish on
firm foundations the dynasty of the House Of
Savoy. The republicans will do well to push
their principles The intelligent public is on
their side; and even if they should not win
they will be honored for the effort.





Press Blackmail-Misplaccd Confidence.


We feel compelled to doubt that the
millennium Of common sense will arrive
among humanity in the present century
Time and again we hear of gullible individ-
uals who allow themselves to be imposed
upon by soi-disant reporters to the extent of
wines, dinners and ten-dollar bills. The
class of verdant countrymen who 60 like
lambs to the slaughter in faro banks, keno
dens and such places, under the blandish-
ments Of mustache-dyed ''ropers-in, have long
been recognized and labelled incurable but
the faulty which seizes respectable and solid
business men and makes them the easy prey
of sharpers that hang like camp followers on
the skirts of the army of journalism will, it
seems require an addition to the technology
of dupes. Here is case in point -
A gentleman named Seymour, doing
business in this city and residing in
Greenville, N. j., was interested in a
case attracting some public interest Of
late. He was visited by fellow who sent in
card bearing the inscription, &c. s. Bogart,
NEW YORK HERALD" In what followed q
sumptuous dinner, good wine and ten dol
lar bill played their part, this self-styled Mr.
Bogart being the recipient of oil three. The
impressionable business man probably cx-
pected some return IN Literary sqpse for this