Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-11-04
THE ISLAND OF CUBA.

The Charleston {" Evening News wholly dis
credits the rumor Of an overture having been made
by the Executive of the United States for the pur.
chase from Spain Of the Island of Cuba, ard thus
wisely counsels against such purchase, were it
within the power of this Government:
s'Such step as the purchase of the Island of
Cuba would NOT comport with sound policy on the
part Of the United States, even if there existed
correspondent inclination to cede by old Spain. A
cession OF the Island of Cuba would encounter the
opposition probably of two of the European Pow
ers, England and France, certainly of the former.
1t will be recollected that this is not simply an
American question. II is blended with considera-
tons Of maritime policy, in which the European
Powers possessing colonies on this continent are
largely interested. 1t may involve views in rela-
ton to the balance of power in this hemisphere 1t
will be remembered that M. Guizot deemed Mexico
in her integrity an element in the political equili-
brium of the new world, although there was, in his
notion OF balancing the Spanish and American races
on this continent, 600 much refinement for Prac-
tical purpose. 1t, however, indicates the disposi-
ton for interference circumstances had been pro-
pitious. If the entente cordiale between the Cabi
nets of st. James and ST. Cloud had not been dis.
solved nearly about the same time, there would pro-
baby have been cooperation and Intervention in
the quarrel between Mexico and the United States.
But no shadow OF doubt rests, III this respect, on
the question of the cession of Cuba. AS an attempt
to convey this island to Great Britain would be re-
sisted by the United States, a conveyance of it
TO the American Union would meet with resistance
as decided by Great Britain. Some of her states.
men, it is well known, have urged the practical
sertion of her claim to indemnity for Indebtedness
by Spain to British subjects, by forcible seizure
The existence of mortgage is even alleged, and,
although lien Of this kind would be novelty in
the history Of national Transactions yetwe have 70
hesitation in believing that although this pretension
would not be set up so long Spain did not at
tempt to cede Cuba 10 any third Power, II would
most unquestionably be urged in any such event.
"If there were no earthly obstacle to the cession,
the policy would be more than questionable which
would afford color to the charge that the United
States had so uncontrolled desire for territory as
to override the dictates Of moderation, if not ali pr-
Dental considerations. Such manifestation so
soon after the transference to the Union of large
possessions over which we have not yet established
any form species of government, would confirm
the impression in Europe that the lust for land was
not confined TO ambitious monarchies, but exists III
the model republic in most prurent excess.
"There is but one opinion among that class OF
American statesmen who disGain TO feed the popu-
lar appetite on this score. They hold to the coun-
sci that policy is that of watchfulness and pre-
vention-to be passive but viglant, employing no
arts OF negotiation for our own behoof, but TO pre-
vent, whether by fraud or force, by diplomacy or
the sword, the disturbance of the present posses
son. The prize would be of incalcnlabe value 10
any maritime Power; it is now where the mutual
jealousy Of the parties should leave itin the hands
of an enfeebled nation. Let Us, then, keep our
hands OF until the contingency arises which, in the
contemplation Of moderate councils and sense OF
safety, would bring active interference within the
plea OF necessity and seliprotection The response
approving any movement of the Government, in
counteraction OF European schemes to transfer the
island from the hands in which it properly repo-
for the safety Of all parties to others where il
would become the instrument of maritime power
and ascendency, would be immediate and universal
in the American people; but we cannot imagine
such degree Of inlatuation as would open fresh
sources of domestic discord, while existing feuds,
in regard to territorial acquisition, threaten the per-
manenee Of the Union, more especially when such
policy involves the hazards Of conflict with foreign
nations, point of national honor or present ine-
rest being embraced in the issue"