Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-03
From the Western Continent.
ANNEXATION OF CUBA.

the people of Cuba had freely expressed their
willingness to take any steps towards accom-
plishing the annexation of their island to the
great North American Republic. AS the Sun
was then our. only authority, we expressed our
unwllllngness to credit his mere lpse d'11t.-
Since that time, however, it has fallen to our
LOT to meet with an intelligent and wealthy
Cuban, with whom we conversed freely In
reference to this political movement. He, like
many OF his countrymen, had been educated
in the Republic, and had become deeply I'M
bued with the liberal political sentiments of
our people. He assured US that there was a
hearty goodwill among the influential inhabi-
tants of the island towards US, and that there |
was no doubt of the perfect willingness of the
majority to repay the purchase money to the |
United States, provided government would |
take the necessary steps to admit them into |
the Union He informed us that liberal doc
trines were rapidly spreading in Cuba, and
that though there might be a party composed
chiefly of those who lived off the government
of old Spain, who would probably oppose the
movement and cause the shedding of some
blood, still the great mass were clamorOus for
the measure, and would ultimately succeed in
carrying it. The people are tired of the span
ish government, and believe that it will be I'M
able to hold the island much longer. There
is prevalent opinion among them, that their
beautiful home must soon fall into the hands
either of Great Britain or of France. To Meth
er of these nations are they willing to be con-
signed, but infinitely prefer union with the
Republic, to colonial dependence upon any
European power whatever.
In our country, on the other hand, there are
not wanting many who look, and have looked
for years with no little anxiety, for some
movement towards this great end. Men of
influence and standing in all sections of our
country, have approved the policy which
would secure to us so valuable an ally, which
would add so bright star to the glorious con-
stellation which now blaZes on our national
escutcheon. Many of our exchanges have
been of late agitating the subject, being no
doubt excited by the articles in reference to it,
which have appeared in the Sun and Herald
of New York. Our attention has been more
particularly attracted by an editorial in late
number of the Boston Atlas. This is a paper
which, from its political as well as sectional
positions would not be likely rashly to advo-
cate new additions to our already wide extern
ded territory. Being an active Wing journal.
it would not be disposed to repudate what
seems to be the standing doctrine of its party,
opposition to territorial extension, and situa-
ted as it is, in the city of Boston, it would
| have no inducement to advocate the admission
into the Union of that great bugbear of the
North, more slave territory. The article allu-
ded to is not very explicit. In some senten-
ces we see, or think we see, a covert hostility
to the measure, while in others there appears
disposition to encourage and excite popular
feeling in its favor. |: opens with the decla-
ration of the fact that such a measure is and
has been in contemplation among some of US,
and that it has been favorably regarded by ''a
large and influential class of citizens 1t
seems to intimate that the preponderance of
this party is at the South.
1--WE, therefore," says the Atlas, "consider the
matter settled, that of the issues likely TO
he presented to the people, within few years. will
be the annexation of Cuba to the United States
And if we are not greatly in error, there eau
ses at work in Europe which will precipitate the
decision of the question"
The Editor then goes on to enumerate the
late remarkable proceedings in the British
Parliament, in which Lord George Bentnck
and Viscount Palmerston were so conspicuous
The former nobleman brought into the House
of Commons a petition from the Spanish bond
holders asking for redress, in which they state
that Spain owes them Els, 900, 900, on which,
upon only Ell, Jos 900, leaving balance up
on which interest was due of R7O 1898 900, or
S314,773, 800 The presenter of the petition
urged the Government to take the matter up
and enforce the clam.
"In the course Of his speech, he went into an
estimete of the resources of Spain. and among
other things, said, that her colonies were rich
the produce Of Cub0 alone acas ualued at 99, =
100000, aChie 1t 1ras only defended by 5000
military, the 'ctoie nauy Of Spain being but
three Ene-ofJaite ships, .fue f1fgates, and 20
small croft. He had proved that every country
had right TO call on another to pay debts due to
its subjects. England had never hestated to ack-
nowledge all claims on her. 1t had paid is debts
at the rate of EOS. for every l3s Adj it had borrow
ed. 1t paid 9l per head according to the mum.
Der Of its inhabitants. All they called on Spain
to do, was to pay IS. Cd per head in discharge OF
the debts due TO England. He stood there as the
advocate of the orphans and widows of many vet
Grams in the British service, who. after having
fought for Spain, had influenced by their recollec.
tons of the country, invested the savings of thei,
lives in its funds
Lord Palmerston, in reply, fully endorsed
Bentinck's sentiments; but while he excused
Spain on the ground OF inability through bad
government, he took occasion TO throw a very
gratuitous insult at the people of the United
States. From all this the Atlas arrives at the
conclusion
g. That there is determination the part OF
Great Britain to get Spain to cede to her the Island
of Cuba, in payment Of the seventy millions OF
pounds which she owes to British subjects II
Spain refuses TO make the cession, then to seize
the Island by force and hold possession. This
could easily be done by England, with her immense
army and navy. and boundess wealth.
Every one can imag inc the excitement which
step like the seizure or purchase of Cuba by
Great Britain would create in our own country
: We are naturally jealous of the entertainments o.
| that power, and Cuba is the Key to the Gulf d
Mexico, and is larger and of more value than al
the other West India Islands combined. We should
be restless. for we would i'll brook this nigh ap
proach Of John Bull upon our Southern border
with the key of the Gulf in his pocket. The South
ern States will cry aloud against it, because of the
, near neighborhood of colony of liberated slaves
a thing for which they have lively dread''
: After citing the conclusion of Palmerston's
speech, in which the noble lord furnishes fol-
US republicans fine specimen of John Bull
swagger, and DULLES us like a big butcher-boy
the Atlas makes the following sensible anc
spirited remarks:
{" If Lord Palmerston has the acquisition of Gu
ba in view, it would prevent our interference in
the premises. Lord Palmerston's hatred of Anne
y r:ca is new thing. 1t has been exhibited fire.
J | kI,h be- Ii Nho hot