Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-08-01
Cuba

We give in another column, the official account of
the outbreak at Puerto Principe. 1t is plain that
there has been an outbreak of some kind and also,
that the Spanish authorities wish to represent it
triing as possible in order to deter sympathisers
from going over from the United States. 1t is very
likely however that on the other hand the impor-
lance of the affair has been exaggerated by the Gre
Gle agents. in order to encourage and excite such
svmpatbisers Perhaps medium between the diff
ferent accounts might be nearest the truth. deep
rooted and widespread disafection unquestionably
exists among the native Cubans and wish to throw
off the Spanish yoke is general but we have many
serious fears for the result of any such attempt If
the Cubans or any other people to be free, them
selves must strike the first blow and demonstrate at
least their worthiness of and capabilty for the
ioyment of liberty The West India Creoles are pas
sionate and perhaps patriotic enough but they want
that ndomtable perseverance characteristic of the
American race and until larger proportion of the
North American element can be infused into Cuban
society, the of any such attempt as is now
being made upon that Island, must be at least pro-
blematical and in case OF success IN throwing
off the yoke of the existing government. we have no
guarantee for the permanent establishment OF bet
ter unless it be found in the institution of slavery,
which is essentially conservative in its character
The independence Of Cuba at least its separation
from the crown of Spain, must occur sometime, and
that at no distant period and when it does occur.
must inevitably mark turning point in the history
of the United States to which its annexation is
tain. If Cuba in at ALL it must be as slave
State and the agitation growing out of this matter,
will subject the Union to test than it
has yet experienced. If Cuba can come in as one of
the United Satcs all may be well for years to come;
if she cannot--if the free soil element succeed in
keeping her out account of her peculiar insttu-
tions-there is little doubt that she will still come
in as member of Southern Contederacy. How
long this Cuban crisis may be postponed we cannot
say but we believe that it will be upon us much
sooner than most people anticipate; and there are
agencies at work which will force solution before
even the present elements of dscord have ceased to
operate 1t would seem that, so far this country
is concerned the progress of events will bring for
ward every disturbing element within the next ten
years. Disguise it as we may, the people of the U.
States are ambitious of territorial acquisition and
Cuba, the Sandwich Islands, and portions of the Sea
coast of Mexico. will be knocking at doors long
before 1860 Of these, the greater portion, viz Gu
ba and the Mexican coast range would form acqui-
North. or at least by the whole antislavery feeling
of the North. IF the opposition should succeed we
regard the separation of the Southern States from the
Northern as almost, if not totally inevitable ;-es-
pecially as there would be so many inducements to
the formation of a Southern Confederaey; and as
that Confederacy would receive such important &C
cessons of strength and influence from the annexa
ton of Cuba and other territories the Gulf Of
Mexico. which Gulf of Mexico is the Mediterranean
of the New World. and destined, with its coasts an6
islands in the hands of people, to give that peo
pie pre-eminence in trade and wealth. IT, on the
other hand Cuba can come in she ought to, the
Union will be saved and triumph be effected Owe
fanaticism and sectionalsm, greater than any which
the history of the Republic affords Cuba may, ant
we think WILL induce the real crisis of the country
If that crisis pass off favorably, the Union may b
safe for ages; if unfavorably, it cannot be worth
three years purchase.