The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1849-08-27
NEW ORLEAMS.
Cuba and Tho United States,
M oNDAY MORNING, AUGUST ~, ls40

OuDa ana INC Onited Statess
The facts Of geography preceded the languages
in which they are described, and islands, CONT
nents and seas existed before the various races and
nations which inhabit the earth. Hence the reason
why natural causes, more enduring and ineface-
able than moral and social influences, should be
chiefly consulted in the formation Of States.
Therefore, Cuba, though differing from us irflaws,
in language and in social organization, has been
for some time regarded of right constituting one
Of the United States and we accordingly have
very strong desire to zee it become part and parcel
of our Confederation.
Il is clear that this strong and reasonable desire
Of our fsllow-citizens for the acquisition of Cuba
has had a tendency TO make them believe that Rey
was lOrciby taken away from our territory. The
apparent mystery attending the departure of Rey,
owing altogether to the mans wish TO conceal his
movements from those interested in keeping him
here, was eagerly seized on by the spectators in
public passions; and the instinct Of our people for
the possession of Cuba was adroitly used by I'M
scFupulou agilators for the purpose of keeping up
the impression that the Spanish authorities had
violated American soil. Persons who take their
opinions from the editorial articles Of newspapers
having either no time no disposition for an ex-
animation Of the facts on which opinions should
be founded and promulgated were led astray partly
by the ardent desire they had that the allegations
against the Spanish Consul might be true.
IT, however, people will take time to reflect, they
must see thatthis Rey excitement will have tend
ency to retard, and not to hasten Cuban annexa-
ton. The believers in the abduction have shown
more zeal than knowledge, aud led away by shall.
low thinkers, Wanting themselves patriots, have
permitted passion TO get so much the better Of
reason that they were incapable Of seeing the in
Jury they were doing the cause they desired to adj
vance. II is not by producing quarrel between
this country and Spain that we are 70 aid either
she efforts Of Cuban patriots. for Cuban indepen-
denee, or the efforts Of the United States to get
possession Of the island. More is to be done by
c0mpFomse and Cancellation than by war and
bloodshed. Nay, we are confident that fan Ameri-
can force were to invade the island Of Cuba, the
expedition would be successful only after an i'm
mense loss of blood and treasure And if the
Spaniards were, as we feel assured they would,
to declare the negroes free soon the invasion
was made, the island would, after all, be a worth
less acquisition purchased at an untold and meal
culable price.
As patriots, then, and more especially as South
em men, we ought 10 aim at the acquisition of
Cuba by peaceful and friendly means. II we wish
to keep up an eternal agitation of the slavery ques-
ton between the North and the South then let us
conquer Cuba after the Spanards shall have
emancpated the negroes and declared the island
to be- in the cant Of the times, free soil'' II we
want to have the Cuban patriots, about whom so
much has lately been said, buiehered in their beds
or smothered in the smoke and scorched in the
flames Of their burning mansiOns-ifwe desire to
witness new ST.. Domingo murders and assassna-
tions-then let us land a force on the island and
provoke the Spaniards to call to their assistance
the savages lately imported from Congo and the
Guinea coast.
Il it is desirable, then, TO acquire Cuba by treaty
and not by conquest, let US beware how we irri-
tate the Spanish Government. Like a decaying
noble, the Spanish Crown is jealous Of insult, and
its pride increases with its poverty and imbeeility
We will find it as delicate matter to regulate our
intercourse with Spain we lately iound,it with
Mexico. Nay, the difficulty will be increased; for
Spain has been great, and she cannot forget that
she once looked down on the nation that possessed
the United States as colonies. How then would
the Spanish Government be affected, if it were
aware Of the language which has been nsed
towards it in the last few weeksl knowing the
disposition of Spanish officials, how silly and ridicu.
lous, not to say uncOurteous and undiplomatic war
it for the American Consul at Havana to send the
Captain General Of Cuba the printed and pub
hshed bels issued in this city against himself al
Governor, and against the Sovereign from vhou
he holds his powerl We venture to saw that s,
gross violation of propriety and good sense wa,
never before committed by any foreign agent q
our Government. 1t furnishes, of itself a goo,
cause for the removal of Gen. Campbell from III,
Office, of whose duties and responsibilities he seem,
ignorant and regardless.
As to the men who were chiefly instrumental il
getting up the Rey excitement, they thought merel,
of how it might affect Themselves, incapable al
they are Of perceiving, or even of desiring to per
ceve, the influence it might have on our relation
with Spain and ultimately on the acquisition o
the Island Of Cuba. We are sorry that our citizen
were carried away, for time, by statements which
if they had attempted 10 analize, they would hav,
found to be prepOsterOus. But the tide of opinion
is turning; and the deceivers of the people may b
thankful if they do not suffer from the rebound o
popular feeling which must inevitably occur.
TnE SECRET ExFEDITIoN.-Every paper ha
Its own idea Of the secret expedition. The Boston
Herald thinks it is intended for Canada and in com
menting on the Presidents proclamation says
'fThat the organized force referred to by the Presi
dent, is in fact destined for the invasion of III,
Canadss, whenever the inhabitants of those prov
inces can agree upon a concerted plan Of action L
throw off their allegiance to the British crown
The late movements of several persons known &
us, who were formerly officers of the voluntee
division Of the U. s. army in Mexico, and who ar
engaged in this affair, lead us TO believe thar til
object Of the expedition is yet the same as whei
first projected and that the hints thrown out of th
intention 10 make descent upon Cuba or tn
Mexican States are but feigned issues, for the pur
pose Of binding our Government to the real de
signs Of the leaders in this undeFeang,".