The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-09-11
TgE L9ygQy TINES ON CUBA.

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The London TiBl.s Of the 9th ult, received
by the Atlantic, contains an editorial on the Gu
ban question, which will attract universal atten-
ton from the fact that il is stated that England
in common with France and the other allies OF
| Spain, is bound TO make an early and efficient
stand against the United States dispossessing the
| Spanish Crown Of the Island Of Cuba The fol-
| lowing is the editorial referred to:
We have reason to believe that accounts have
been received from the consular agents Of the
principal European Powers in Cuba, which have
excited some apprehensions, and have led TO COM
munications between the allies Of the Queen Of
Spain.
"The Island of Cuba differs essentially from all
other European settlements or possessions in the
West Indies by the fact that it contains numer-
Gus native population of Spanish descent but
far more closely connected with the insular and
American interests Of the country they inhabit
than with the traditions and administration of
Spain. The Havaneros are in fact, people of
American Spaniards, having a strongly marked
character of their own-imbued to certain ex.
tent with the republican principles current on
the neighboring contnent-connected by the clo-
sest commercial ties with the traders Of the Uni-
ted States-ident6ed with the Southern States
with increasing suspicion and repugnance the CO.
lonial administration of the once famous Council
of the Indies, now commonly represented at Ha-
vana by the last needy soldier sent out to make
his fortune, by favor Of revolution at Madrid.
Thus far the tie Of their allegiance to the throne
of Isabella hangs lightly enough upon them, and
the cry which may be raised with effect in Cuba
is not so much that Of annexation as of independ-
ence. But, az in the case of Texas, such indie
pendence would be the infallible prelude to an-
nexation, and in ceasing to be Spanish, the island
becomes American On the other hand, the
planters of Cuba are still indebted to Spain for
the existence and maintenance of a well-appoint-
ed aud efficient army, which is absolutely re-
quired at all times to keep the black population
in subsection to masters, and TO protect life and
property throughout the island from the periodi-
cal horrors of negro rebellion. A country in
which the slave trade has been carried on to an
enormous extent till within q very recent period,
stands in this respect in a different condition
from the Southern States Of America, where the
whole slave population is born in servitude and
is comparatively tame. This state of things rem
ders the occurrence Of disturbances in Cuba a
matter Of most critical importance; for, il strife
arises between the Government and its white
subjects in the island, the blacks can hardly fail
to take advantage Of Whatever weakens the dom-
enlargement from their liberated countrymen in
the adjacent islands, to give most formidable
character to such a conflict
even if it be supposed that the authors of the
present rising have no definite or immediate OBJ
jsct but to sever the connection Of the island
from Spain-which may justly be charged with
many and grave faults in the government of such
dependency-it is not the less certain that, il
ever the Spanish dominion in Cuba be termina-
ted, the social condition Of the island will depend
on the condition to which the black population
may be reduced, and its political incorporation
would become an object Of intense desire to a
large portion of the American People The loose
and abortive expeditions made within the last
few years, disavowed, but feebly repressed by the
Federal Government, are indications Of the d.
rection east to be given in the United States to
the territorial ambition which has already alb
sorbed Texas and invaded Mexico; and the &C.
currence Of such an event az Cuban struggle
for independence would become the war-cry of a
party in the United States. IL We are to witness
the return Of the Democratic party to power, as
is not improbable at the next Presidential elec.
tion it is easy to foresee to what purpose such a
cry may be turned for, although we acquit the
present Cabinet Of Washington Of designs incon-
sstent with its public engagements to friendly
Powers it is not the less certain that the annex
alton of Cuba has long been favorably entertained
and perseveringly watched by large and aspir-
ing class Of American politicians.
Ii is evident that such a change In the condi.
ton of that island would powerfully affect the
commercial and m,ritime interests Of several
other States and that it could only he effected by
a violation Of all the rights Of Spain. II would
identify the colony ia which slave labor is car
ried to its utmost extent with the slave markets
and slave-owners Of the Southern States Of the
Union and it would assign to the rising naval
power of the Uuited States the most important
military station in the West India seas. Once
in possession Of Cuba, as the principal seat of it's
power In that ocean, the Government Of the Uni
ted States would encounter comparatively few
obstacles in the acquisition Of other islands, such
as Porto Rico and St Domingo, until We our
selves might be compelled to defend, under the
most adverse circumstances, possessions which
have belonged for couple Of centuries TO the
British crown, and in which for the rst time a
negro population has been raised TO the level of a
| free peasantry. IL will never we trust be in
| the power OF any conqueror to restore in those
islands the oppression and inhumanity of slave.
holding or slave-mporting Government, which
we have swept, at immense sacrifices, from the
British soil. But II cannot he denied that the
extension Of the United States Government to
any portion Of the West Indies is identified with
tue maiuteuaHOe VI oihVcTy anu the extension OF
slaveholding interests and that slavery and free.
dom can hardly subsist permanently in adjacent
territories, side by side.
ITO this it may be added that, in common with
France and the other allies Of Spain, we are in.
terested in preventing any occurrence which may
contract her pecuniary resources, and lessen her
available strength. Cuba and the Philippines
ore the last remains Of her magnificent colonial
empire. They are both Of them highly produc-
tive dcpendencies--they both deserve an ADLER
and more disinterested administration. But the
transfer Of these islands to any other maritime
Power would only augment the weakness of one
State, by rendering the aggressions Of another
more successful. Against any such projects the
Government of this country, in conjunction with
that of France aud OF Spain herself, 10 bound to
make an early aud effectual stand, and from the
wisdom which the Cabinet Of Washington has
sometimes evinced In avoiding the blind and per-
ilous impulse Of popular feeling for annexation,
We hope that II may not be wholly disinclined to
concur with other Governments In endeavoring
TO preserve the permanent union Of Cuba with
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