The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-12-23
CUBAN ANNExATIoN-FALsE SECURITY.

We recollect that when we were striving to
convince the People that Texan annexation
was about being accomplished, certain Elusive
movements at Washington, and the declarations
of Martin Van Buren, and Henry Clay, lulled
the Northern press and politicians generally
into false security. They rdculed the idea Of
the practicability of the scheme. In less than
year afterwards, Texan annexation was a
fact accomplished.
The same feeling Of security in relation to
the project of Cuban annexation is now begin
ming to pervade the public mind and even
Northern Anti-Slavery papers are congratu.
lating their readers that all danger is passed
We cannot join in their congratulations. Shall
the lessons of the past be forgotten "More
ROOM more power! !" is the perpetual demand
of Slavery. 1t must have them, or \ dies
The acquisition of Louisiana and Florida, the
annexation of Texas, the conquest of New
Mexico and California, all sought by the Slave
Power with view to the extension of the urea
of Slavery, have been the great events of our
history for the last half century and the pub
LEGATION of the late correspondence shows th,t
if the project of Cuban annexation failed, 70,
t".e, it was not because of any lack of zeal
or daring on-the part of our Government
Since when has Slavery ceased to be aggres-
sive? How long since it came to the conclu-
sion that it had room enough and power
enough are tnero ..-y I:..t;o,o 90 A.. 49,
lowly and quiet spirit among Shareholders
What interest has brought General Pierce into
power!' On what pledges will he assume the
Presidential Office! Who will be his advisers
That Wing and Democratic partisans, whose
eyes have never been opened to the real cause,
nature, or scope of the encroachmepts of Sla-
very, should cry peace, peace, when there is
no peace, does not surprise us but that Anti
Slavery papers should sing the same song, is
indeed marvellous.
A correspondence has just been made pub
lie, showing that while nineteen twentieths of
the American People were thinking about any
thing else, Mr.. Polk was using all his efforts
to bring into the Union, at almost any cost,
neighborng island, inhabited by mongrel
horde of slaves and shareholders, totally alien
in language, customs and institutions. The
same correspondence further shows that its
ultimate annexation has never been lost sight
OF by the ruling politicians of this country.
The disclosure thus made certainly embarrass-
es the project and imposes the necessity of in
creased reserve, caution, and adrotness and
$50 ,,( Sat IL
imagine that the scheme is forever abandoned
When did the Slave Power ever abandon a
project deemed essential to its security and
aggrandizementl
The scheme is postponed for the present that
is all. New events may turn up. We may
fall into quarrel with France on account Of
Hayti. Or France, at the instigati6n of Spain,
may attempt protectorate over Cuba, which
this Government would not tolerate. Or, revo-
lutionary movements in Europe, CONFUSING
Spain, may drive the Cuban planters to despera-
ton, and plunge them in civil war Or, Spain
may hereafter come under influences more pro-
country. Does not any one see how ready an
Administration controlled by Slavery would be
to avail itself of the first favorable moment for
striking blow,
1t is vain to rely upon the timidity or conser-
vatism Of shareholders. Neither ever stood in
the way Of any daring scheme to increase their
power. The far-seeng, moderate men among
them, DESTROYS Of repose, counsel quiet-.but
they counsel in vain Had their voice pre-
vailed, Texas annexation would not have been
hurried, Mexican territory would not have
been conquered.
To u, it seems that the Slave Power would
have consulted its security. had it abstained
from the acquisition Of Mexican territory, from
the passage Of the Fugitive Slave Law from
the re-afirmation through the old parties Of
that Law and the Compromise measures-from
the introduction, indeed, Of any measure cal
culated 10 draw attention to its sggressions, or
provoke discussion Of its claims, But whatever
we may mink concerning its true policy, its
course is always precisely the reverse. Ii is
aggressive, from its very nature, and an agi-
tator because an aggressor. II sees nothing
but danger in the possession Of Cuba by Great
Britain, or in the enfrsnchisement Of its slaves
by Spain; and sooner than permit either, it
would run the risk Of servile insurrcction in |
the attempt 10 prevent t. Ii is perfectly aware |