New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-02

willing, in the hope of acquiring Cuba, to brave
the probable consequences of the attempt they
mediate. To talk of buying the island. or o
obtaining it by any pacific means, il sheer de-
fusion; for, after the selfexposure recently
msde by our Government, the great Powers of
Western Europe would be signally dsgraced IN
their own eyes and those of mankind if they
we're to permit any such triumph of our in
trgues against them with reference to that
island. five acquire Cuba at all, or seriouely
attempt to do so, we must do it by hard knocks.
expecting to give and take a good many OF
them. If the island were for sale on any
terms, it would be clearly advisable 70 pay
Three or -Four Hundred Millions for it rather
than pick quarrel with Spain and attempt to
seize it by force; but it certainly cannot be
bought, and must be taken by the srrong arm if
in our day We acquire it at all
But We do not now propose to consider the
cost so much as the abstract desirG6lsEess Of
farther Territorial acquisitions. especially that
Of Cuba; and on this point We propose to offer
q lew suCgeStlOnS-aS follows
!. An Emperor or King may naturally desire
an extension OF his sway. because his revenues,
his power, and his means of enriching and
ennobling his cOurtiers, are thereby extended.
His cOurtiers Of course have kindred interests.
and so share in and stimulate his passions. Bat
a Republic is or should be ruled by the indus
tTiOus and thrifty classes whose interests are
precisely antagonist to those which control the
Monarch. To them, the splendor Of the Court,
the augmentation Of the National Expend-
lures, the extension Of the power. pOmp aud
patronage of the Executive, are not so much
10 be coveted and enjoyed, bur so much to be
borne AID paid for. Frugalty is rare virtue
in Governments, and its exercise is almost
impossible to those which bear sway over ex-
ttnsive dominions. Our Federal Government
will naturally disburse Two Millions in Califor-
MIA for objects which local Government would
attain at cost of One Million. So is it with
the Spauiards in Cuba. the French in Algiers,
the British in India, and with the holders Of
remote possessions throughout the world The
revenues and expenditures of our small States
and Cities are generally managed with far more
economy than those Of the large ones.
2. A Monarch acquiring Cuba, or any new
Territory, would naturally say, l can lay such
and such taxes on my acquisition, and REM
burse myself for the cost of acquiring it by
the income thence derived, but Republic
can make 10 such calculation. We can have no
SVJects-no people protected by our flag, who
do not enjoy ell our own privileges and rights.
To argue, therefore, from the income which
Spain extracts from Cuba as to what ce mighs
derive from it, is to disseminate the grOssest
delusiOn If Cuba were ours tomorrow. it is
not probable that her Exports would in ten
years reach Forty Millions of Dollars, of which
at least One-haf in the absence of any duties
on her produce taking this direction, would
come to the States, leaving but Twenty Mil
lions to seek markets elsewhere, yielding an
annual revenue of about -Four Millions. Out
Of this sum must come the cost of its Military
and Naval defences, its necessarily extensive
Revenue service, its Federal Courts. Harbcr
improvements, &c, in all consuming at least
Eve are confidently the -Four Millions. and not
leaving one iarthing of net income toward de-
fraying the cost of acquiring the Island And
then our Continental revenues would be dimin-
iled considerably by the profuse introduction
TO these States OF tropical products from Cuba,
formerly paying duties. but now paying none.
Pecuniarily, the acquisition of Cuba even on
the most favorable terms. could hardly fail to
prove Improbable TO our Government.
3. VIII those who consider Cuba bargain
if One Hundred Millions would buy II be good
enough to compute the cost of the balance Of
the continent. and then of the whole world, at
corresponding prices Ii they say there are
reasons for buying Cuba which do not apply 10
other territories, viii they be good enough to
state distinctly what they are And ii mere
contiguity be among them. Will they be careful
10 observe that other importan, islands will he
much more in our way when We shall have az
quired Cubs. than Cuba i,selfis al present
= A"t'~l-ehCc - the Itepioou ol q i.rpuOilt-
Public Virtue is its animatiug soul 4 Repub-
lie Is not strengthened bur seriously weakened.
by the Increase Of IFS population. when the
great mass of that increase is inferior in intel
ligcuce. capacity, aud general fitness for SELF
government. 10 is former citizens The DOS
session Of power by muititudes unqualified for
rs exercise. and morally reckless Of irs respou-
slbllities. must ever be a source % National IN.
stability. vicious policy and danger
.. The poison Of cur tine is spin; Of sd
venture. which lusts after irregular. iaordinste
and undeserved gam. aud desp.ses tie WAYS Of
humble mdusJr, and patient ploddns frugal
y Witi thousands OF cur nat.ve-born coun.
LrImen seeking ennlnHrnDnr and th. u-.r,- q