Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-04-10
FRIDAY, .1prH 10, 1929.

powers TO consider the pIopriety OF negotiating be-
tween themselves, and if necessary, adopting in
concert the measures which may be necessary to
check and prevent it. The respect which is due
to themselves, as well as to Europe, requires that
they should rest in confidence that declaration thus
solemny put FORTH will command universal defer
ence. 1t will not be necessary to give to the de-
claraon, now proposed, the form of a Treaty. 1t
may be signed by the several Ministers at the Con-
gress, and promul gated to the world evidence OF
the sense of all the American powers.
! Among *he subjects which must engage the con-
sderation Of the Congress, scarcely any has an in
terest so powerful and commanding as that which
belongs to Cuba and Porto Rico, the former espe-
ciay. Cuba from its position, the present
amount and the character of IFS population, that
which It is capable ofsustainng, its vast, though al
most latent resources, is at present the great object
of attraction both to Europe and America, No
power, not even Spain itself, has, in such variety
of forms, deep interest in its future fortunes,
whatever they may happen to be, as the United
States Our policy in regard to II is fully and frank
y disclosed in the aforementioned note to Mr..
Middleton. 1t is there stated, that. for ourselves,
we desire no change in the possession or political
condition of that island and that we could not,
with indifference, it transferred from Spain to
any other European power. We arc unwilling to
see its transfer Or annexation to either of the new
Il American States. II the present war should much
longer continue. tnpTe are tnTee CunNltlOUe, lutO
some one of which that island may fall during its
further progress, and all of them deserve the most
particular and serious consideration. The first is,
the Independence, resting at the close Of the war
upon its unassisted resources to maintain that
independence 2dly. Its independence, with the
guaranty of other powers, either of Europe or of
America, or both. And 5dly. Its conquest and at
tachment to the domiuions of the republic of Col
omba or Mexico. We will now examine each Of
Z thosn nf fhp Island in tho order
which they have been stated.
I. If Cuba had the ability, within itself, of main.
tanning an independent self government against all
assaults from without within, should prefer to
see it i'll that state; because desire the happiness
of others as we'll ourselves, and we believe that
is in the general most likely to be secured by To-
cal government springing directly from, and ident
fed in feeling, interest sympathy. with the people
to be governed But a mere glance at the limited
extent. moral condition, and discorlant character
its population, must convince all of its incompetent
cy, at present, TO sustain self government, uuadet
by other powers. And if at this premature period
an attempt at independence should be so far attend
ed with success as to break the connection with Spain
J. one portion of the inhabitants off, the Island as wei
as their neishbors in the United States, and in SOM
It other directions, would live in continual dread o
h those tragic scenes. which were formerly exhibited
in neghboring Island, the population of whic
would he tempted, by the fact of that independents
to employ all the means which vicinity, similarity q
II origin and sympathy could supply, to foment an
c stimulate insurrection, in order to gain ultnat
Vi strength to their own cause
in Q. A guaranteed independence of Cuba, althoue
e it might relieve the island from the dangers whc
" have been just noticed, would substitute others
j. less formidable. and which, it is believed, are almo
insuperah!e. Who shall be the guarantying pow
IS ersa Shall they be exclusively American nike,
" partly American and partly European? What sha
A. be the amount of their respective contributions
le the protecting force, military and naval, and to Il
ve other means necessary to uphold the local govern
no ment? Who shall have the command of that fore,
10 VIII not the guarantying powers, not in commant
CIV entertain continual apprehcasons and jealousies
to the commanding powers The candid must own tn
~ these are perpeyiug questions; and that, upon Il
r. whole, although all thought of that modification
l. independence should not. perhaps, be dismissed
y absolutely inadmissible under any possible circu.
an stance it must be agreed to be one, 10 which If
na' sent is ultimately yielded, it must be reluctant
H. from train of unforeseen aud uncomfortable event
~, 8. With respect to the conquest and annexati
:; of the Island to Colombia Mexico, it should
- remarked that if that be attempted, the whole ch;
~; acter of the present will be entirely change
~ Hitherto, on the part of the republics, The contt
eu has been for independence and self government.
-. they have had on their side, the good wish
,S' and the friendly sympathies of large portion
mss the world, and those especially of the people of
United States. But in the event of military
ies' terprze directed against Cuba, it will become
not of conquest In such war; whatever NAV he
you result Of that enterprise the interests of other DC
eri- ers now neutral. NAV be seriously effected. q
ling they may be called unon to perform important
tive ties, which they may not be at liberty to nege
rhe The issue of such war may have great infuel
upon the balance and stability of power in the w
ion. Indies. Nations of Europe may feel themsel
hch required to interpose orciby to arrest course
pro- events to which they cannot be Indifferent. Iftl
,nst should limit their interposition merely to the obi
ony. of preventing any change in the existing state
Joint things, in respect to the islands, the United al
the far from being under any pledge. at present, to