The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-08-28

for the accomplishment of this measure but II is
popular with the majority OF Southern politi-
clans and the indications OF purpose on the part
of Northern Democrats to countenance, and at
some future period, adopt it as party measure,
are unmistakea
Let us suppose annexation accomplished, with
out civil strife or foreign interference-that
Cuba with its half million of slaves and two
hundred thousand free people of color, and fve
hundred thousand whites, has become State OF
this Union; what would be the probable results
OF the effect upon the white population Of the
island and its prosperity, there could be no doubt
In all respects they would be the gamers; and
the resources Of the island would be developed
to an extent not now dreamed Of Freedom OF
the Press Freedom of Education, and Freedom
Of Religion would at once be established, and
the foreign slave trade Of Cuba, which annually
consumes its thousands Of victims, would be ahol-
ished. So far as all this was concerned, the phi
lauthropist would have cause for rejoicing
New England would secure an additional mar
ket for its manufactures the West for its bread
stuffs and provisions and the whole country would
be amply supplied at reduced prices with coffee,
sugar, and other tropical productions.
The power Of the nation would be increased,
and its rich commerce through the Gulf OF Mex
leo, every year growing in Importance with the
development of our Pacific possessions, be placed
forever beyond all danger Of hurt or hindrance
! from foreign interference Holding the key OF
| the G ulf our Government would be in position
TO make its intervention in the affairs of the 18th
mus and Central America effectual for their aid
and protection.
Such is the aspect Of the question which will
be presented to that large portion Of our country
men who are devout believers in Manifest Des-
tinyD In dreams of territorial aggrandizement
and universal empire they will overlook cOnsid-
eratons of very different character, but which
it is our duty to submit.
The annexation of Cuba would bring vast
accession to the political power of Slavery. Now,
s.: IN - have a nominal majority in the
-S~-~'H Of two: nominal, because Mr.. Bright
I Senator from lnoisna Is a slavsSzoeS ~. e.$as
las, Senator from Illinois, is interested in slave
property through his wife, Mr.. Gwin of Califor-
mia, is Southern man in all his feelings, and the
same remark might be made Of two or three others
professedly representing free States But even
this nominal majority would be destroyed by the
admission of the two Cuban Senators. In the
House of Representatives the majority Of men,
beers from the free States, which has always been
found unable to withstand the energies Of the
slaveholding delegation, would be greatly reduced
hu ha adj of tan w hlch
the representative population Of Cuba would be
entitled In the electoral college, the Slave Power
with its twelve additional votes would be able
to prevent the election of any candidate not
pledged to maintain its claims. II thus far it has
succeeded in controlling the policy of the Govern
ment and making it the instrument of it's scqui-
sitions what would it not dare and do with another
slave empire to enforce its pretensiOns
II will be said that the demand for slaves in
Cuba will drain the older slave States, and leave
them open to the introduction of free labor insti-
tutions. When the new lands of South Carolina
and Georgia were opened, it was thought that
Slavery would be gradually drained away from
Virginia and North Carolina, especially as fresh
importatiOns OF slaves were to be prohibited But
it turned out that the older slave States took the
place Of the Guinea coast, and found 80 profitable
business in supplying the new market, that Sla-
very increased in them almost rapidly as in
the new States. At every new accession of slave
territory, the same notion of "a draining off, of
slavery has been put in circulation when the
fact is, that this very expansion has given new
life to the system where it originally existed and
in which it would have been abolished ere this,
markets given a merchantable value TO that kind
Of property The annexation of Cuba, in
voving the suppression of the foreign slave trade
would inevitably give rise to vast trade in slaves
between the South and the island the impulse of
which would be felt in the increased value of
slaves on every Southern plantation.
Now, if self-interest be the controlling force Of
human nature, If the Shareholders, as we are con-
stantly told, can never be induced to emancpate
their slaves, until you can make them feel that
they are losing by them, what hope of the extinc-
ton of slavery within any definite time, so long
as they coald use them to profit in Cuba, or sell
them to profit to the Cuban planter2
We cannot shut our eyes to another considera-
ton. The most active sympathizers with the
Cuba patriots are to be found generally in the
ranks Of the Southern Disunionists-the men
who are willing to render the Union asunder,
for the sake of eternizing slavery. What is their
policy In the first place, they expect that the
agitation Of the question Of annexation will pro-
woke into fierce activity those elements Of antago
nism between the North and South, which have
been partially allayed by the late Compromise,
and on which they rely for ultimate cooperation
in the South in the work Of Disunion and in the
second place, should the measure succeed, they
feel assured that in any future conflict on the
Slavery Question, they would be strong enough
to dictate to the Government, and should it re-
fuse to yield, to organize slave empire that
would bid defiance to its whole power.
1t is time that the American People should
take this great question into consideration and
examine all its bearings they may be called upon
to act before they have formed any intelligent
opinions upon the subject.
We are controlled by no sectional views or pre-
JUDGES The Spanish Government in Cuba is a
despotism fer worse than that which our fathers
belled against and subverted. Revolution in that
island would be justified by every principle on
which W. rest the vindication Of our own We
should rejoice to see the Cubans, ms we should
rejoice to see every people, successful in the as
sertion and maintenance Of their rights against
oppression. We should exult, If while battling
for their own rights, they would win the blessing
of the Almighty upon their arms, by recognising
the rights ofthe slaves on whose unpaid labor they
live But, Heaven forbid that our country, while
sympathizing as it ought in every struggle in be-
half Of Democratic principles, refusing fulfil lis
] obligations Of neutrality ahouli stand before the