The New York Herald Newspaper, January 9, 1873, Page 4

4 SLAVERY IN CUBA. Phe Great. Question of the Hour in the Antilles. SPAN H PRIDE AND FOLLY, Slaveholders the Real Masters of the Island. CUBAN DIVISIONS AND WEAKNESS. Numerical Superiority of the Negroes. THEIR NONCHALANT NEUTRALITY. A Gagged Press and Garru- lous Public Opinion. DEAD LETTER REFORMS A Word to Captain General Ceballos. THE THEORY OF CONDESCENSION. How the Vomito Discour- ages Volunteering. THE SURPRISE AT HOLGUIN. Why Slayeowners and Contractors Wish to Continue the War. PORTO RICO'S PLAN OF REFORM. An Able, Thoughtful Letter from Our Special Oommissioner. Havana, Dec. 28, 1872, What for want of a better phrase must be called public opinion here is just now ima state of con- siderable but suppressed excitement over the slavery question. As the American people already know, the law passed by the Spanish Cortes for the suppression of slavery in this isle is a dead let- ler, and there is neither power nor, perhaps, will on the part of the Spanish authorities to enforce it. Like the old Southern slave masters the estate owners are unwilling to manumit their laborers, but endeavor, by INTRIGUE AND UNDERHAND INFLUENCE, to put off the settlement of the question. One of the principal causes why the law has not been enforced has been the lavish use of money at Madrid. Some twenty of the richest men in Cuba have been engaged buying off tne successive min- Isters of ultra views. Every new incumbent threatened to take up the slave question, and in order to prevent this being done money was neces- sary. The constant changes, however, in the Cabinet have se drained the exchequer ef the Blaveholders that they are unwilling to sacrifice any moresin the general interest, unless the gen- eral body come down handsomely. An effort is now being made to have this done, and it is looked on as the last resource. It is easy to understand the irritation of this class against the United States, and their hatred of everything with the slightest tinge of freedom or independence about it. For the most part the slaveocracy is composed of immigrant Spaniards, ‘who possess little or no education beyond what is meceasary for the transaction of their pusiness. These men are naturally blinded by their passions, and, instead of seeking to make some compromise that would be a safeguard te their interests, the mere mention of abolition has the same effect on them that a red flag has on an enraged bull, And yet the intelligent classes feel that SLAVERY AS AN INSTITUTION 18 DOOMED, If the estate owners would only take the imitia- tive free their own slaves the change could be effected without any serious shock to the social or commercial life of the island. But if they delay until the government is forced to take action, by the pressure of public opinion the world over and the development of progressive and liberal ideas in Spain, then the whole labor system will inevitably be seriously disturbed, The late change in the Cabinet at Madrid is attributed here to the interference of General Sickles, and the criticisms that are privately passed en him are by no means of the most favora- ble kind. They do mot find public expression, however, but are whispered from one to amother, according to the custom of the country, It is a serious misfortune for Cuba and for Spain that nothing approximating to a free press exists here, ‘The extent to which the censorship of the papers is carried would be unbearable among a people having the instinct of a bold and unegqnivo- cal expression of their sentiments. Not a line of any kind of news, even the most harmless local item, can be printed withont the permission of some great swell who is called the censor, Even the business advertisements must receive the approval of this oMcial befere they can appear in the columns of the newspapers, and as this deity of the press closes his oMce at five o’clock im the evening it is easy to guess what a Tapid vehicle for the conveyance and dissemina- tion ef news the Cuban papers must be. Nor is the foreign press altogether free from the interference Of this cemsor. BVERY TELEGRAM HAS TO BB SUBMITTED, and if it is not approved it is simplf shelved, with the endorsement Denied,” and no notice given of the fact. As @ matter of condescersion, if a news- Daper correspondent makes an inquiry as to the fate of bis telegram he will usually be informed ‘whether or not it has passed the scrutiny, but only as a compliment, never as a right. In fact, here the officials, from the highest to the lowest, are constantly “condescending” to take some notice gfe god people whose bread they eat. { It may be. judged from the foregoing that enter- Prise is something unknowa among the newspa Pers, and though for the most part the literary departments are filled with men of education, ‘Whose views are broad, such is the effect of the system of censorship that they can only write what fe agreeable to the powers that be. As this fact is fully recognized by the peopie THE INFLUENCE OF TUE PRESS 18 AT ZERO, and the papers are obliged to follow the prejudices of the crowd, instead of guiding and directing the popular sentiment into the right channel. This is especially a misfortune at this moment. wnen a free préss would beef incalculable advantage to Spain as well-as to-Cubs in educating the poopie to the absolute necessity that existe for the abolition of slavery, if complications are to be avoided that mustinevitably bring ruin to Ouba, Talking on this subject to one of the most intelligent press. mén that I have met with here, I pointed out the danger which threatened from the new sbolition movement in America. He at once perceived the truth of what I told him, but regretted thar e existing atate of tuings pre- NEW YORK HERALD; THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 1873.-TRIPLE SHEET. vented the principal journals from advocating the only policy which can seeure to Spain the con- tinned possession of the Queen of the Antitles, There is in the way of @ candid discussion of the social ana political questions affecting the interest of Cuba a punctilious pride that will not allow itself to be even touchea by common sense. THE SPIRIT OF HIDALGOISM is astride of its hobby horse, and it is to be feared that it will not come down until the rotten frame- work is knocked to pieces, So much the worse for the riders. If people will insist on keeping alive the pretensions of a dead past in this practical age they must be prepared to be trampled under the teet of the progressive and advancing millions. Ifone could photograph the thoughts of the ablest spirits who are defending the existing institutions the fear of this aggressive liberal spirit would be found to hold a prominent place in all their caleu- lations, They know that slavery per se ts inde- fensible, and that the old specious plea which would persuade us into the belief that the slave is happier than the free laborer will no longer be listened to by the civilized world. Of course there is the despotic theory,-which claims that Spain as an independent and sovereign State nas @ right to do what she pleases within her own dominions, and may “larrup her own niggers’ if she is pleased to do so. The conscience of the civilized world has, however, revolted against this atrocious doctrine, as it has revolted against the divine right of the puppets we call kings. Itis Row an accepted rule that neither an individual nor @ nation has the right to commit @ wrong against humanity so long as there ia power in others to punish the offender, If Spain could ety the world her pretension to be above the law of civilization might have to be respected; but, as things are, those who have the power have the right to insist that she shall maintain no institutions within her boundaries which offend the conscience and ideas of right of the rest of mankind. As Spanish sensitiveness re- fuses to give me facilities to examine thoroughly into the state of the insurrection I intend to ex- tend my inquiries into the social and political state of that part of the island under the undisputed sway of Spain. Tomy min(it isa subject of inf- nitely more interest to the general conscience of mankind than whether Cespedes has five thousand or ten thousand men tn the field. For about him one thing is certain—tne movement with which he is associated will continue in spite of all the efforts of the Spanish authorities UNTIL THE QUESTION OF SLAVERY HAS BEEN SET- TLED FOREVER. In view of possible contingencies in the fulfilment of the mission I have undertaken, I intend to leave some contributions to this question to be remem. bered by. Whatever comes from my pen will have at least one recommendation—to wit, dispassionate truth, It does not require any very deep penetra, tion to pereeive chat there is enough that is start- ling to the minds of men habituated to freedom of thought and action, to the dispensation of equa; justice withont question of race or color, to render any appeal to sensationalism quite unnecessary—{ am tempted even to say, superfluous. The Cuban question has 60 many siles and pre- sents such @ mass of entangled interests that only & mind perfectly impartial could give anything like a correct picture of the exact state of things existing here or of the causes that led to them. When we examine a disputed question closely and impartially expericuce generally shows that some right exists on both sides. With my present infor- mation it would be preposterous on my part to at- tempt to dogmatize or to pretend to give more than a cursory sketch of some of the causes which render a solution of the present trouble so difficult, “While abhorring slavery from the depths of my soul, I am not prepared to look upon all who differ from my views in theory or in practice as necessarily bad men. So much depends in questions of this nature on the training and education as well as the association of men, that it would not be just to demand a universal accept- ance of any set of opinions on the subject. Although slavery threatens to become a source of dangerin the future it has had little to do with bringing about the present state of society here, The pride and haughtiness of the Spaniards in the first in- stance offended the amour propre of the Cuban population until the discontent of the latter reached the point where they wished for separa- tion and independence. . At first thé Cubans songht only for reforms, but as these came slowly or were denied and the island was being constantly exploited by mnecdy Span- ish adventurers the discontent deepened into an absolute disloyaity, which culminated in the present insurrection. The Cubans were, up to that moment, the chief slavehoiders, and it was not until when, by the act of insurrection, they had forfeited their property by law, that the revo- lutionists proclaimed the freedom of the slave. It is neediess to recount how the insurrection failed almost from the beginning on account of misman- agement, but chiefly for want “ef the support of the strong hands and bold hearts of an industrious population, The Cubans were brave envugh and rich, but they were unused to labor and UNEQUAL TO THE HARDSHIPS OF A SOLDIER'S LIFE If they had bad a vigorous and hardy population in sympathy with them it is impossible now tosay what the result would have been; but they were wanting in this essential condition of success, be- cause the slaves refused to fight on either side unless when they could nothelp it. Like their brethren in the United States, they stood by while the white men were killing each other, fully con- vinced that the more were killed the better it ‘would be for them. Unfortunately for the success ofthe movement the Cubans raised the cry muera Eepaiia! (death te Spain!) and the Span ish residenté, becoming alarmed, formed themselves into those corps of volun- teers which have hitherto preserved the island to Spain. Much jealousy has for years ex- isted in Cuba toward the Spanish immigrants, on account of the industry and success of the latter. While the natives passed their lives in amusement the new comers were in nearly every instance thrifty and industrious people, who only sought to make enough money to enabie them to return rich to Spain. By the ald of their own energy, and the superior confidence with which the foreign mer- chant treated the immigrants as a class, they thrived so well that the native-born people began to regard them with dislike and aversion. The re- sult was the growth of a feeling ANALOGOUS TO ‘‘NATIVISM’! IN THE UNITED STATES, which alarmed the immigrants and separated their interest from that of the native-born inhabitants. It was a most unfortunate circumstance fer the Cuban cause, because it forced inte opposition the mass of industrious and enterprising spirits who had come to the New Werld to carve out their for- tunes. Rightly or wrongly, the Spanish immigrants conceived the idea that if the Cuban cause suc- ceeded they would be obliged to fy from the island and abandon the result of years of toil. The struggle assumed in their eyes more importance than @ simple question of politics, for their lives and thelr property were held to be at stake. With = these ideas they prepared to support the government, or rather they jolved, With the ald of Spain, to keep the island for themselves, as they have been and are now doing. Such of the foreign merchants as Ihave spoken with give an excel- lent character for industry, honesty and energy to the Spanish element, and seem to think that were it not for them the island would retrograde in @ few years. Of course this statement must be taken for what itis worth. The foreign merchants, asa rule, do not care much for abstract quoations ofright, but think that whatever form of govern- ment encourages or facilitates their trade is the beat. For this reason they are, as a class, father, in favor of the Spaniards than of the Cubans, though sometimes they express themselves in pretty de- cided terms about the Spaniards also. We have, therefore, to consider not alone a conflict of politi- cal theories, but we find the right ef the immi- grant to the enjoyment of life and property in question as well as the right ef the colored man to absolute freedom. If the granting of one right would secure the other it would be plain sailing; but here wé have the two rights in conflict. Under the influence of the rich, Who control their opinions and their fortunes, the. tmmigrant Spatiish, while demanding eli rights for thempelves; are opposed to the liberation of the slaves Ie is diMculs to see what interest poor Spaniards have {in maintaining siavery’ except to please tne millionnaires; but such is the position. To be perfectly just the solution to be found for this difficulty must secure protection for the immigrant a8 well as liberty for the slave. Not that there wou:d be any trouble in accom- plishing this if the volunteers would loyally sup- port the government in giving freedom to the siaves. The trouble is that they will not, because of the influence over them of the slave masters, who are the realrulers of the island. This statement will give offence to the authorities, I fear, but it is true; and it is that fact which will make it the moreunwelcome, One of the chief obstacles to the intelligent discussion of the affairs of Cuba is found in the extreme SENSITLVENESS OF THE AUTHORITIES to anything that might be suspected of cenveying even the slightest censure of the government. In the letter which the Captain General did me the honor to,addresa to me you have an excellent éx- ample of this state of feeling. In what I wrote to His Excellency there was nothing which.I would not have safely stated to the President of the United States without fear of giving offence. Nor was it so much the phraseology of the communica- tion ag the idea of an individual having presumed to put forth a few logical reasons why the Captain General should reconsider a resolution, taken, as it appeared to me, without suificient reflection, that called forth the assertion of superiority and condescension which is so unequivocally mado in the Captain General's letter. Such is the submission éxacted from the people here that few, if any, subjects of Spain would have dared to ad- dress the authorities in the langaage of common sensé. Whatever communications are made to the Captain General are usually in the form of an humble petition, and it no doubt shocked the fine sense of etiquette of the Spanish officials to receive @ letter from a simple citizen, politely but firmly written in the language and spirit of a freeman, There was certainly on my part no desire to give offence, and no one more sincerely regrets than I that it was possible for even the most punctilious to find something to carp at in whatI wrote. I have no desire to achieve notoriety at the expense of decency and respect for the hospitality extended to me in a foreign country, but, at the same time, I will not submit without protest to anything having the air of discourtesy or insult. What 1 asked from the Captain General was simply to be let alone, and to pass at liberty, according to the les droits de gens, through the country over which hecommanded. I do not pretend to know what he means by travelling at my own risk, but Iintend to find out exactly what the phrase means. The same hour that sees this letter om its way will see me far on MY JOURNEY TO SANTA CLARA, where I shall first visit some of the estates to note the operation of the slave and coolie con- tract systems, about which I intend to somewhat enlighten the civilized world before proceeding at “my own risk’? to investigate the state of the in- surrection, The causes that have led to this devia- tion from my original programme must remain un- expressed for the present, but they are sufficient im my own mind to justify the few days’ delay the new investigations will occupy. Whatever the pecullar phrase in the Captain Gen- eral’s letter may mean, I'wish to express to him publicly, as T have charged some of his friends to express to him personally, my sense of the polite- ness and courtesy with which he has treated me, There are differences so radical in our modes of viewing things that it is impossible there ever could exist more than the sense of mutual Tespect between us—the Captain General repre- senting the extreme pretension of federal military- ism, and [ the progressive and independent spirit of republicanism that refuses to acknowledge any other superiority than that which the intellect con- fers. However unfit for the post, accident has Made me the representative of the conscience of civilized humanity, and as such, for good or evil, I shall wield on the destiny of this island an influ- ence greater than even a Captain General can pre- tend to; for after all he is but a high official who, it is true, commands within restricted limits, but what I shall have to say will SWAY THE MINDS OP MILLIONS, both in the Old World and the New. I comprehend my position and its importance, and the very op- position I huve met with here has aroused me to the necessity of discharging my high trust so that it will be of benefit to the cause of humanity. AsI have before stated, not one werd or line will be written which will not be based on indisputable facts, drawn from my Own observations or that of persons worthy of all credence, and by this means Thepe to lend such an interest in what I may have to say as will more than compensate any lack of brilliancy or power in my manner of saying it. My mind on all the questions is free from prejudice, and 1 confess to a love lor Spain that would rather incline me to be her partisan than her censor. But, though I admire her glories and her heroism, I do not love her faults; and wherever! flmd any, or what appears to me to be fauits, I will lay them bare unflnchingly. It is one of the misfortanes of the system of government, as understood in Spain, that the subject . MUST ALWAYS ASSUME THAT HE IS WELL GOVERNED, even when he desires reform, Before everything authority must be respected, and so abuses grow old until the people lose patience and attempt to procure reform by violence. The cause of this is that the officials, or, as, we would call them, polit clans, who live and grow rich on money wrung from the people, look on the masses as an inferior race of beings, whose chief use in life is to pay taxes and render obedience to those whom they support. The idea—very generally entertained by every man in America—that an official of govern- ment is @ servant of the people, would be. scouted by a Spanish oficial as an abominable political heresy; and if a newspaper man was independent enough to write such a sentiment every hair on the censer’s head would stand bolt upright in blank astonishment and dismay. In sucha state of society, where abuses have freedom to develop, like mushrooms, in the dark, there is and can be no healthy public opinion to check them, for no one dares to say anything publicly that the official “ring” disapproves. But just imagine old Tammany with the right of censorship over the press, with the power to prevent one word or line being written EXCEPT -WHAT WAS PLEASING TO THE “3083,” and what hope would there have been for the re- forms that swept away that corrupt institution ? Under the Spanish system it would have continued to flourish until it became respectable by time, because the cant about respecting authority would have rendered the exposure of the thieves impossible. 1t 1s well for us that the Tammany Sachems never gravitated towards Havana in the days of their power, or they might have learned how to contre] public opinion and make authority respected by @ more efficient and respectable-look- ing process than dividing the plunder. TUE WANT OF HOMOGENEITY in the population here is the chief reason why a government #0 much opposed to the liberal in- stincts of the age can continue to exist almost in sight of free America, There is scarcely any ground upon Which the whole 1,200,000 inhabitants, more or less, could meet on equal terms for the common good. The Spanish authorities hold the balance of power between all parties, and are looked to for protection alike by the slave and his master, the Cuban and the Spanish immigrant. The kindly feeling manifested by the expatriated Cubans and the colored people came too late to be fegarded in sny other light by the darkies than as @ bait to secure their support in over- throwing the power of Spain, and ‘as they did not consider themselves very deeply inter- ested in the struggle they declined to take part with either side. It is true that tho Cubans took @. good many of their slaves with them into the field, and the Spaniards forced the five regiments of Havana, Which were composed of colored men, but officered by white men, to go to the! front, where they now are. From the first the question of mixed races bas been # serions one for the Gubans, Had they succeeded in shaking off the Spanish yoke they would have found themssives numerically inferior to the colored people, and a6 they could not have afforded to refuse to them the fights and privileges of free men, they would in- evitably have FALLEN UNDER THS POWSR OF THE BLACKS. Nor could the diMoultr be vorv well solved bs the -{nforcements. encouragement of waite immigration, as the climate exercises a.most deadly effect on Europeans, and it is admitted on all hands that white men cannot work in flelds, I have been assured that nearly eighty per cent of the whole white immigration fall victims to the vomito. Under these circumstances it appears to me that these islands will eventually be almost wholly populated by the African race, for even that portion of the immigrant Spanish who escape the vomito and become rich leave the island as soon as they have amassed sufficient means and return to Spain to enjoy their wealth. At present there is a strong tinge of African blood in many of the people who claim to be consid- ered white, anda if the colored people’ were enfranchised the process of wmiscegenation would no doubt progress with great rapidity. On account of the conflicting interests of race it appears to me impossible that Cuba could avoid an internecine conflict in case she succeeded in establishing her liberty, unless by attaching her. self to some stronger Power. The choice would seem to be, then, either to remain ander the Spanish flag or to enter the Union, There seems to me to be no other alternative, for the mass of the people are wholly unfitted for seli-government, owing to the want of education. It has been the policy of the government here, as in Spain, to keep the people ignorant, in order the more easily to exploit them. It 1s a pecultarity of the Latin races that while they nave produced the greatest men in almost all branches of knowledge, “the degrading feudat system fastened on them in the Middle Ages, has, up-to the present, con- signed the people to the darkest ignorance. The ruling classes of Spain and Italy and the old no- bility of France never could rise to the height of recognizing how much nobler and grander tt isto be the first citizen among a free and intelligent community than the master of degraded slaves. So wrapped up are those foudalists in their self- importance that they do not think they are called upon to blush for the ignorance and misery by which they are surrounded. So long as slaves burn incense before them they con- sider themselves great, while the intelligent world looks’ on with pity and disgust at their folly and selfish indifference to the well-being of their people. It is to be hoped that) the revolution at present in progress in Spain will not stop until it has swept away every trace of the ancient and infamous system. Let it do fer Spain wnat '89 did for France, but without the excesses that stained that glorious epoch. If the Cortes will only insist on the absulute and immediate liberation of the slaves and introduce reforms into the administration of this island the chief danger that threatens her would be removed. Whether she can continue to maintain possession of Cuba in the future, in view of the generally admitted hostility of the Cuban population, would have to be decided by time. There is very little reason to doubt that the spirit of the native population is animated by A BITYER HOSTILITY TO SPAIN and all beiénging to her.. Indeed, the Spaniards do not pretend that they are liked, and look with unconcealed suspicion and distrust/on the Cubans. In conversation lately with one of the prominent Spanish editors he stated that even the Cuban dogs in the street hated the Spaniards. What appears most strange that the immediate descendants of the immigrants are the bitterest in tneir hatred of Spain; at least I have been so assured, It is very dificult to find any one who will commit himself by giving expression to Ouban sympathies, because tre people were afraid of rendering themselves sus- pected—even the surrendered rebels are very cautious, Since my arrival here, although my presence is pretty widely known to both Cubans and Spaniards, I have not been once approached by any one in the interest of the insurrection to give me the slightest information or help in my mission, ‘rhis is a circumstance that speaks well for the prudence of the Cubans, but if persisted in during my stay will be decidedly incenvenient, For some days there has been a vague rumor circulating among the Cubans in Havana that HOLGUIN HAD BEEN SURPRISED by the insurgents under Vicente and Calixto Garcia, As they are somewhat in the habit ¢ circu: lating rumors of imaginary victories no particular attention was paid toit. The affair has, however, occurred beyond all doubt, and is much more serious than was at first supposed. By letters from Teliable Spanish sources we are iniormed that by a ruse de guerre Colenel Wyler, commanding at Hol guin, was led to make a sortie, and while he Was gone some five hundred insurgents surprised the town, killing a major and several other supe- rior officers and many soldiers and volunteers, They took possession ot the place, plundered many of the chief stores, among others the jeweiry estab- lishment, and then ieft with their booty. It is said that the Colonel will be tried by court martial for having allowed himself to be surprised, The gov- ernment report, which the Diario publishes this Morning, is silent on these points, and, while ad- mitting the surprise, endeavors to turn a serious check into a glorious victory. The loss of five officers and four soldiers killed is admitted, but nota word about the number wounded. We are also asked to believe that the loss of the enemy was infinitely greater. The DISPROPORTION BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS KILLED can only be accounted for on the theory that five out of every nine men in the Spanish army are furnished with commissions, a peculiarity of Organization that deserves the attention of our crack militia regiments. Whether the account given by the authorities be the correct one or not, it is certainly regarded with sus- Picion even by the Spanish adherents, while the Cuban sympathizers would have us believe that hali the town of Holguin has been destroyed. One large store and five shanties were admitted by the Spaniards to have been burned. The import- ance of this event cannot be measured exactly by the loss inflicted, but must be looked at trom the moral effect it will have in giving ¥ CONFIDENCE TO THE INSURGENTS. The first serious check susta:ned by the Cubans im the beginning of the war of liberation was in Holguin, where some fifty Spanish soldiers, with a valor and tenacity worthy of the days of Sara- gossa, defiled the whole force of the insurrection and heroically maintained their position until they were relieved. Since them the town has remained @ thorn in the side of the Cuban Jeaders, and from its strategical position enables the Spaniards to hamper the movements of the insurgents. Im so far as the latter have been unable either to destroy the town or to maintain posses. sion of it, the Spaniards have some reason to be thankful, but it is not the policy of the Cubans to remain in towns. There can be no question that in the field they are unable to meet the Spanish forces, and they know it. What they purpose doing is to maintain the present guerilla warfare until Spain becomes TIRED OF LOSING MEN AND MONEY in @ hopeless conflict. The losses of the Spanish army from sickness are something frightful, and as neither honor nor profit tobe gained in g in this irregular warfare, the Cubans hopo that after atime it will be impossible to obtain volunteers to supply the losses sustained by the troops from the effects of fatigue and the deadly in- finende of the climate. Well informed parties here assuré me that the government is paying $200 bounty at Oadiz to “volunteers; but even with this enormous sum to témpt them very few can be persiaded to face the vomito. ‘The ‘mail steamers briag out little detachmenti ‘but What they do are not deserving the name ef re- Another difficulty has been thrown. in the way of the suppression of the insurrection which, more than anything that has yet happened, ‘will tend te keep the conflict alive, 1 al- jude to the declaration in the Cortes that 0 long as Oné rebel remained tm thé fleld NO REFORMS WOULD BE GRANTED TO'CUBA. ‘That'ts to say, the foolish Mintster tn’ Madrid has made it the interest of the slavecorsey “here that thé insurrection should ‘be kept’ alive, so that #iavery may continue *%o flourish “ uninter- Tuptedly. It must be’ remembered that Under existing circumstances the insurrec- tion does not interfere with the commerce of the island. Most of the great estates are in the districts where the Spanish rule 1s undisturbed, and whore it is otherwise the estate owners pay a tax to the insargents to prevent them burning the Dlantations, It ip even said that lyral merohagts in Havana furnish them with arms and munt- tions on similar conditions, It will only now be necessary for those interested in maintaining slavery intact to act a little more generously to- wards the rebels to render them more formidable ‘than ever; and this, unquestionably, will be the Fegult of the Spanish Minister’s declaration. There are other reasons also why many of the rich mer- chants here are desirous that the war should cou- tinue. MANY OF THEM ARE ARMY CONTRACTORS, and find @ ready way to increase their already large fortunes by means well known to our own shoddy contractors during the civil war, The dif- ficulty of putting an end to the insurrection will be easily understood when the conflict of these in- terests is taken into account. The losses experl- enced from the acts of the insurgents are nothing compared to what would result to the estate owners from the liberation of the slaves, and at present they enjoy an unex- ampled prosperity, TRe export of sugar and tobacco for this year will reach $100,000,000, if nothing unforeseen occurs. It is natural that men amassing wealth at. such a rate snould be very Jealous of any interference with their rights, or what they are pleased to consider their rights, They control the authorities here to such an extent that they may be said with truth t Tule tke island. That this is¢ois ptoved by the fact that the decrees of the Madnd government are of no force whatever whon opposed to the wishes ana will of the ruling oligarchy here. By law the slaves are free under certain conditions, but the slave-owners find a means of evading all the provisions except those in their interest, As soon as a slave becomes too old or too infirm to work he is in mockery given his freedom and al- lowed to BEG HIS WAY TO THE GRAVE. Ido not wish to affirm that this is done in all cases, or even in the majority of cases; but it is done, and the law is so framed that when s mas- ter chooses he may do this grave injustice if it be his pleasure. Before I quit the island I shall make myself master of this question, which I believe to be the real root of all the evil here, and also the great danger of the future. Without slavery I see clearly that the insurrection must s00n pass into a state of brigandage, but the hope that this question will yet compel foreign imter- vention gives backbone to the hostility of the na- tive population. In connection with this question I VISITED 4 OCOOLIE SHIP yesterday that has just arrived from*Macao. Every- thing was in apple pie order. The Celestials, with their pig tails, were fat and strong-looking fellows, not a bit ike our Western notions of weak and pigmy Chinese. There was scarcely any trace of the almond eye, and the general expression on the faces of the “immigrants”? was one of marked ‘intelligence. Of the ship, which looked suspiciously like @ slaver and her crew, I will write another time when treating of this slave and contract system in full. For the present I must close in order to catch the mail. For the last three daysI have been waiting the good pleasure of the authorities to obtain my passport, or rather schedule; but as the official world takes three days holiday at Christmas I must wait its good pleasure. The following extract from a letter recelved from Spain has been published in the Diarto:— * THE NEW CAPTAIN GENERAL. As soon as the 12,099 men are collected together, which are to form the reinforcement to be sent to Cuba, General Cordova will be appointed Captain General and® Superior Political Governor of that island. Public opinion, which at first was passion- ate and unjust regarding the appointment of Gen- eral Cordova, is turning, even Journals antagonis- tic to the radical ministry admitting that with the sole exception of the Marquis of Havana (General José de la Concha), there 13 no other person who better unites in himself the necessary conditions to take charge of the command of that Antille. PORTO RICO. According to another published letter from Ma- drid, the concrete points whica constitute the as- pirauion of certain deputies among those from Porto Rico are the following:—They pretend that the lesser Antille shall have a political organiza- tion according to the custom of the most radical school—that municipal ofticers, elected by the suffrage now in force, shall be the arbiters of local administration. The law of Ayuntamientos, er City Councils, which has been in force in the Peninsula since 1845, appears to them wanting and reaction- ary, because it is the wish of those deputies that tne authority of the Captain General shall not intervene at all in the formation of the municipal budget nor in the employment of the funds. Asa complement to this municipal organi- zation they wish also for a deputation, directly elected, to represent in Porto Rico the rights and attributes at present confided only to the central power. This corporation will form, according to these deputies, the general budget of the island; would influence instruction and would direct the improvement of the public works, and would be, in fact, the real and almost exclusive govern- ment of the country. The Captain General disappears in this orgamization; a superior civil Governor would preside over the deputation, with the only right of objecting, in certain determinate cases, to the resolutions of that body; he would hold, above all, so small a supervision as really to be of little influence in the government of the island. A military commander, subject to the orders of the superior authority, would command the military forces of the country, and @ repre- sentative in Congress and the Senate, as these exist at present, would be the limit of that sys- tem. The ‘unconditional Spaniard’ who writes the foregoing concludes by saying:—‘‘This would leave Porto Rico no other ties to the metropolis than those absolutely necessary to evade the con- fession that nothing remains !’’ THE HERALD'S OUBAN EXPEDITION?, {From the Milwaukee (Wis.) Sentine), Jan. 1.) The able and interesting letter of Mr. Henderson, the correspondent of the New YORK HERALD, has increased public interest in the affairs of Cuba. Mr. Henderson gave it as his candid opinion that if the patriots were supplied with arms they could soon win their independence, He gave facts to show that it will be impossible for Spain to regain an undisputed gre of the nd, It is tow rumored from Waal that Brazil, Chile and Mexico are ready to intervene in behalf of the Cubans, if the United States will anly give them a pledge of neutrality. We hope that our govern- ment will not only remain neutral, but accora to the insurgents belligerent rights. Nothing is more probable than that i nations of South America, which have not forgotten the rigor of Spanish colonial rule, will intervene in favor of their oppressed Sosa Prettines in the “Gem ij tiles.” It is also rumored from Wash- ington that the Spanish Legation there has re- cently received information from the home gov- ernment that it will be necessary to recall the troops from Cuba to help repress revolutionary in- surrections in the Peninsula, It is time that the barbarous and greedy rule of Spain was ended on this side of the ocean. That degenerate monarchy was long ago driven irom the American Continent; . let it now be driven from the last island in the ‘Western seas. A demonstration of friendliness to the Cubans from the United Stat Brazil and Chile would probably induce Spain to recede from the contest without stri another blow. All Christendom would rejoice at result, _ ANEW YEAR'S DAY HOMIOIDE, Post-Mortem Examination. ‘The first homicide of the year, with fatal resnits, was yesterday brought to the attention of Corgner Keenan, at the City Hall. On New Year’s"Day Thomas Doyle, thirty-three years ef age, became involved in a quarrel with William Wilson, at No. 8 Mul st treet, di ‘which the latter, as alleged, struck ant on the head with a siive- maker’s hammer, knocking him down and reduc- mm wo ity, Doyle was removed to ae Centre St ie where he reimaiued in an state yeste’ morning, hen death from fracture of t: |, and lived at 66 Mulberry street. alsod made his escape immediately after the assault and is still at lai of the Sixth procincty mand, are in search Of him. Yesterday afternoon Deputy Coroners Beach, Marsh and Cusiman made a post-mortem exaui- nation on the body of deceased, and found that death resulted from meningitis, irom fracture of the skull, the result of violence. PATAL OASUALTY—A LANDLORD OENSURED. Coroner Young yesterday held an inquest in the case of Martin D, Hayden, the man who was killed by being strack on the head by some pieces of board which fell on him from an fronting A hate te Sattar eek as previously thelr verdict the jury Gongsred the landlord of the above named premises (0. B. Lawton) tor allowing the boards to remain on the awning in such an expoged condition. but Captain Kennedy, the ofticers of his com: 5 -sel, Messrs, Hagner, Thomas and Stump, Jr. MRS. WHARTON. A Day of Legal Tilting in the Annapolis Court. Experimentum Crucis of De- + fending Counsel. THE STATE AUTHORITIES. The Bill of Exceptions Taken Under: Advise- , ment by the Judges. ANNAPOL, Md., Jan. 8, 18 3. At half-past mine this morning Judges Miller, Hammond a took their seats on the bench, and, after the formalities of opening, the trial of Mra, Wharton was resumed. Mra. Wharton was accompanied) by her frm friend, Mrs. Neilson, and her devoted daughter, Nellie. The laaies were ‘provided with chairs within the bar-and immediately,behind Mrs. Wharton's coun- AS heretofore, the ladies wore veils, which quite con- cealed their featurds, so that no signs of emotion could be detected as the prose- cution argued «their side er the defence raised exceptions and presented motions and demurrers which in-their opinion were calculated to relieve Mrs. Wharton from the painful situation in which she is placed. The lawyers on both sides were well provided with legal books to fortify their arguments, and personally and professionally presented a formidable array. The general public seem to have been more interested tham during the former two days. ‘The attendance in the court room was more than doubled, many ladies being present; and although the proceedings were merely tilts, which to the eutsiders were naturally not calculated to satisfy curiosity, yet there waa but little shiiting about, or going or coming. THE CITATION OF AUTHORITIES and reading of sections of statutes made up about all the doings of the day, filing documents being the alternates. Attorney General Syester waa suffering from so severe & cold that he was. not ex: pected to be present, but in pursuance of his dyty he was in his place to support State's Attorney, Revell. The debate was opened by Mrs. Wharton's attorneys filing a bill of exceptions to the ruling of the Court, refusing to quash the indictment om the ground of ita containing charges of distinct and 6¢) te felonies. ‘The motion to quash was arguc and disallowed, the Chiet Judge, Miller, beng a f this morning that the Bench ha no hesitation in denying the motion, for an appeal could be taken ana the decision put totest. At tuis stage of the proceedings Mr. J, Nevitt Steele, who so ably defended Mrs. Wharton in her former trial, entered and was soon in consultation with Messrs, Hagner and Thomas. ‘The Court read and considered THE BILL OF EXCEPTIONS, and, after inquiring whether its terms were satis- noire peor oorete Gy ene tate and pore an- swere! rmatively, orderes on file, and argu- ment on the terms and diction of the indictment, which lasted till the rising of the Court, was begun by Mr. Thomas, of the defence. He said that, in addition to exceptions already presented, he de- sired to place on record exceptions to the eleventh and twelfth counts of the indictment, and would demur to theni on the ground“of duplicity, and asked the quashing of those two counts. He spoke about an hour, quoting voluminously to show that if, as he ascribed, the statement of the crime in those counts was indefinite and only charged. by implication, they could not be sustained, nor should the Court allow them to be passed upon. Attorney General eeaitE replied, and declared that the indictment should be construed by its own terms, and not be measured by the constructions ofthe attorney for the defence. The motion to gaast the accounts was considered by the learned udges and, IT WAS OVERRULED. The question of the clection by the prosecution as to which particular count in the indictment, or particular act alleged to have been committed, they would go beiore the jury, was then brought forward. British and Maryland volumes of prece- dents and rule were extensively read and debated, tie defence arguing that by allowing each sepa- rate act to be considered in connection with the one allegation of attempt to poison would lead to affect the character of the defeadant. Cannot Justice and equity be allowed? THE PROSECUTION contended that they could not be compelled to make @ selection, but had determined to stand upon their right to go to trial on this indictment asawhole. The Court in refusing to comply with the demand of the defence to direct the election by the prosecution, referred the matter to the Appelate Court, which disposition the defence accepted, After handing in the various papers, mo- tions and demurrers under the appeal, MR. HAGNER MADR ANOTHER MOVE. He stated that it was not by desire or direction ot Mrs. Wharton that the counsel for the defence were making these motions and exceptions, but the learned gentlemen associated with him agreed in the course, because they believed that injustice was being done their client, and by challenging the correctness of the indictment she might be pro- tected by all the might, provisions and saleguards of the . He then expatiated on the degree of crime alleged to have been committed, and ob- jected to the indictment that it only by implica- tioa and not directly charged. In an elavorate ad- dress he gave his views in support of his position that the trial should not proceed under the present indictment. He was tollowed by Mr. Stump in the same strain, and by Messrs, Revell and Syester in rebuttal. Mr. Thomas, of the defence, occupied the re- mainder of the session of the Court in support of the stand taken by his colleagues, and submitted to the consideration of the Judges that the charge of attempted poison, as recited in this indictment, was not a completed iMlegal act. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that the allegation was true, all that was charged beil allowed, the act was inchoate and could not sustained, for it had stopped short of actual administering, THE POINT TO BE JUDICIALLY DECIDED, Alter consultation Judge Miller announced that the point raised would taken into considera- tion, and the decision of the Bench be avnounced im the morning beiore an adjournment was had. AN EXPLANATION FROM MR. STEELE, Mr. J. Nevitt Steele desired an- opportunity to make a personal ee to the Court, and, leave being ted, he said that having been of counsel for Mrs, Wharton in her former trial, and having withdrawn, he wished it understood that it was with the utmost reluctance that he had taken that step. In the previous trial he was in feeble health, and it was only by the courtesy and con- sideration of the honorable judges that he had been able to bring it to a conclusion. It was not that he now felt any less confidence in her case, or that his regard and confidence had suffered diminution that he was not now actively engaged tn her behaif, but he entertained, as from the very first, a conviction of her entire innocence. Sick or well he would have been ei at the present time in her defence, but his colleagues were still Mrs, Wharton’s counsel, and were altogether compe- tent to conduct her case to a just conclusion, and he felt sure that no injurious inference to her cause would dwell in the mind of any one from his with- drawal from the case. THE JUDGES THEN ROSE, and Mrs. Wharton and her daughter left the room, followed by the eager gaze of the spectators, wno had loitered behind to see them pass out. They are domiciled with the family of Judge Welch, a brother of the gentleman who entertained them on the occasion of their former trial. Through all the discussion which employed the time to-day the Judges exerted themseives to hasten CD ge to the empane/ment of the jury, whi will probably be accompiished to- morrow. BOARD OF PUBLIO INSTRUCTION. Josiah B. Nollard Elected the New President of the Board. The Board of Public Instruction met yesterday afternoon at four o'clock, Commissioner Smyth in the chair. Commissioner JARVIS Moved that the Board pro- ceed to the election of its presiding officer for 1873, The motion was carried, and Commissioners Gross and Wood were appointed tellers. Com- missioner Josiah B, Nollard was unanimously elected. Commissioner JaRy1s moved that $500 be paid for Ne fo the laws governing this department, Adopte ‘Commissioner Woop moved that a portrait of President Smyth be ordered. Adopted. Commis- sioner Wood moved that Gillespie P, Miller be appointed Professor of Bookkeeping in the E in, High School jn Thirteenth street. Adopte Fue mmittee of Teachers recommend that Miss Mar, id be restored to her position of assistant feather in. School, No, 32, Adopted, + ‘The Commit on Buildings and Repairs re- ted. that the consideration of the erection of Hoa oo for Grammar School No, 2 must be tel The committee suggest that + pone be made to the Legislature for the ae ite to enable the Board to meet these demands for school accommodation. Concurred in. ieavirat ss Woop ited that a committee be Mg ay matter of pensioning ter re who been twenty years in the ser- vice of the Board before the Legislature, ‘The CHAIR sald it Would be better if the new President would int the co! Tue Bosrd then adiouraed, ee