The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-08-19

In The number OF La Presse Ia Paris Journa) Tor Tue
Goth Of June 1850, there article probably IRON the
pen of Emile de Girardn the subject OF Cuba which
nay be revived advantage at the present crisis
in that island II will help us 10 estimate The position
which Providence has placed in and which Europe
forced to admit, TO our relation TO all the countries
OF North America and the Antilles Here is the trans
lation:
spoken Of the expedition of General Lopez This auda-
cious attempt necessary draw the attention OF the
Paris journals; but those of Washington, New York and
Madrid had not waited so long before they occupied
themselves with the affairs OF Cuba. II is long time
since the word OF annexation acquisition of this island
first pronounced and at the commencement OF lsls
Mr. Yulee, of Florida, made in the Senate formal pro-
position to that effect. He withdrew il upon the OBJ
seryaton OF Mr. Calhoun, that not, by an lmpru
dent ardor and by project not completely rpe compro
mise the success OF this important affair Since that time
the question has not ceased being discussed at Madrid
and Washington, and the American journals have more
than declared that Mr. Polk had entered into nego-
ations with the Spanish government of nature TO sat
sfy the interests Of all parties. This fact, circula
ted by the journals of the United States, and from
time to time confirmed and denied by the journals of
London and Madrid, is now beyond all doubt Mr. Polk
had really made which the Spanish
received, though rather coldy and understand that
the expedition OF Gen. Lopez has not had the effect of
making more favorable dispositions.
"This attempt has provoked the most energetic, and
this side the Atlantic unanimous, reprobaton. 1t
be otherwise But that is not the question. II is not
subject for Indignation. but question OF policy;
quenty, must, in apprecisng chvarous sentiments
for what they worth, examine the facts, such they
are.
SHOW in the question with which we are occupied the
facts are reduced these two ncontestable points the
American Union is destined TO absorb all the northern
hemisphere the island OF Cuba tends rapidly and forciby
to free herself from the oppressive guardianship OF Spain
We may discuss the utility Of this double tendency, but it
is impossible 10 contest the reality.
"The history of the Union carries every page the
proof OF the irresistible attraction which she exercises
over the territories and people surrounding her. These
people and these territories, whatever they may be- she
must absorb and gradually assimilate This assimilation
is complete in louisiana lately French, and in Florida,
coded by Spain The Union, marching with giant
step to her glorious destiny, il arrested only in ex.
tending her frontier by the waves OF the Pacific
Her free institutions have penetrated Santa Fe, and in
stalled themselves at San Francisco. Canada is attract
ed and England will have enough TO do for the
ment she has succeeded in REFRESHING will break out again
in spite Of her How the island Of Cuba-his great
fortress which commands the Gulf OF Mexico-escape
this common law
the idea Of renouncng, by regular negotiation
this magnificent colony, so fesund in resources But
believe also, that the government of Madrid will
sacrifice in the end its Castian pride TO OF State,
when the public interest demands it, 1t knows well that
o-day the first time Cuba has thought of initiating
Mexico and the other countries oil America who have by
their arms freed themselves from Spanish domination
The independence OF this island is OF those events
which oreseeng government ought to be prepared for
because is inevitable and is much better cede
day upon good conditions, and with good grace, that
which some day cannot be prevented from being done
by violence and without compensation
"For long time, the inhabitants OF Cuba have only
H. n, ind Int linn ho fod
States; and the government of Madrid ought to know
well the causes of this unconquerabe disposition which
has produced more than one instruction
The population of the island is composed OF three ele-
ments-the native, the foreign, and the European Span
h Between the Creoes and the Spaniards there exists
an antipathy which is explained by the conduct of the
mother country All places occupied by functional
res sent from Madrid and the garrison is composed ex-
cusively OF soldiers and officers from Europe These
functionares have general despoiic bearing and
arrogance which wounds deeply the inhabitants and
much more 30 when, in comparing their political, CON-
mercial and intellectual state with that of the parent
State they cannot find this rigorous guardianship suf
GENTLY justified.
The island OF Cuba in effect, possesses in much
higher degree than Spain all the advantages of CON-
merce on grand scale, and with all the countries OF the
world and she has seen, like the mother country
the sources OF her immense riches dried up She pos
sesses system OF public instruction liberal, ad-
better managed which need not fear the light OF public
examination She studies with more activity, she im
taes with perseverance, and success the progress OF
European science and industry In 1887 she had already
finished nine railways and two others are now in con
sruction She had devoted five millions to these
prises before Spain had done anything Her commerce
amounts to more than sixty millions year, and her
enue to more than twelve millions, OF which the greatest
par, is absorbed by the mother country
"This state of things must or later
olosion Already several attempts to break the chain
have taken place. and though they have been severely
repressed they do not the less menace the future.
The garrison OF the island, composed OF 10000 men,
ia spread over vast extent OF territory, and Havana
alone il formidable position in The other cities
are no, secure against coup de main or this we have
had proof at Cardenas. Consequently from her geo.
grapbical position from the distance from the mother
country from whence she draw her resources
and which would be serious embarrassment when her
resources failed Cuba make herself free whenever
she seriously wishes 1t
The Creoes have been restrained Till now by the fear
of seeing the blacks insurgent under the desperate
soices of the government Without this appreben sion
Independence and annexation would have been accom-
plished long since But the rapid increase Of the white
oopulaon cuts of every day and more this obsia-
Gle to an explosion. The Spanish government them
will be drawn and whou, doubt very soon TO negotiate
the cession OF this colony which the natural Of
hnga ,ends to take away from her, and which perhaps
she nav one day lose have said, without sufficient
compensation.
In any case we are quite the United States will
not lose sight Of this territory OF which the acquisition