Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-12-15
CUBA AND THE SOUTH.

VIZ copy this week from the Charleston Mercury
gn article under the above caption to which we in
vtc the special attention Of our readers. The views
therein taken and the facts therein set forth arc well
calculated to check the illibustering propenses of
Sou,hernes. That Cuba is prize, whether we
consider the fertility of her ao the richness OF her
productions or the peculiar advantages Of her po''ion
cannot be denied But that this prize is tho righth
property of Spain is equally incon,estibe. And We
have ever regarded that rapacity which would seek
TO seize upon this Island contrary to all international
law and with utter disregard Of the commonest prn-
cplcs of Justice being semi-barharois in a char
acter say the least Of il. Still, NE are far from
being Indifferent to the annexation of Cuba to our
Confeleracy. i that event over DO brought
about by fair and honorable course Of proceeding
True, the draw.b upon the advantages, which It
is generally supposed would result ,hcrefom, not
inconsidcruble. On the contrary they are auch rs
might require time and skillful legislation to remove
But it occurs mind at present that they are by
no means insurmoun,ubs. Once rightfully ours,
Cuba would he speedily swarmcd with the Anglo
American race, which for energy and enterprise is
perhaps ahead of even tile pure Anglo-Sa1on. Our
social and political principles, under the direction OF
such propagandists would crowd that favored
region. would become dominant in n shor, tiIne
Twenty five years could scarcely pass BY before the
last remnant of Spanish institutions would be dis.
placed forever History teaches us that in all such
political malgamatons the weaker race has ever
been merged in the stronger That it would 70 re.
suit in this instance cannot be reasonably doubted
In fact il the excessive inferiory of the old inhnb
,ans to the newcomers wnuid have any effect in
fastening this end las it undoubtedly wUud it may
well be questioned whether there is on record
change of national character rapid or complete ns
would be exhibited in Americanzed Cuba. As to
the assimilation of the races then, imagine there
is no sufficient ground to npprcend the least danger
from that cause our Republican principles or our
Republican manners Even if it should impart n
slight Cstillian touch to the latter it might not be
an,iss.
But as to the influence Of this measure upon the
peculiar interests of the Southern States, our cOnclu.
lions are not altogether definite as satisfactory
us upon the general point 1t is with reference
to this consideration that lay before readers
the remarks of the Mercury upon this subject. The
dangers which our respected contemporary regards ~
lying before in that quarter are certainly not i'm.
aginary, although to our view rather magnfcd We
do design at this time To argue the question with
him. Our object is simply to suggest one or two
reflections which may tend to modify some of his
positions.
And, first, we would ask whether, in the beginning
of his argument, he has given undue Importance
10 the influence Which Her Catholic ajestys govern
ment excr,s among the nations Of Europe Does ii
even now form any barrier against the attacks made
hy others upon negro servitudc in America Would
not the possession Of this commanding point by our
own be Of fur greater service to us tpro-
vidcd the domestic institutions Of Cuba remain as
now than Spanish possession ever has been ever
will be {!
With the Mercurys views as TO the impolicy Ito
say nothing Of the nuscc) of clecting the ncqusi-
ton of Cuba by lawless and treacherous mcnns we
have indicated above our entire concurrence. They
are recommended BY every consideration Of honor
mud humanity. We worry much doubt, howeysn
,vhrthor r.rre urcruy EuntieHI grounds for the ap-
prelension expressed to the necessity Of stand.
ing army" custom.louse police" &C. II seems to
us 10 be very clear that if the foot of American
power were planted, in properly authorized manner,
upon this valuable possession there would aoon be
an end of whatever turbulence might at frat be ds-
played. 1t fs undertaking the over-aweing power OF
the American government to think otherwise. II
South Carolina, with all her ehivalry, dared not
resi-, that power when the right was clearly hor
side, could We expect that weak and tmid Cuba, as
state OF the Union would dare to rise in rebellion |!
If abe did, it would be bu for 'inglc time. Quecd,
rs IN" would be, by the laundering wars,eamcrs Of
the Union, before the spirit Of faction could lift its
head again she would have become, We have said
before, Americanizcd.
Blu, the last argument Of the Mercury is we'll cal
culatcd to cast dampcr upon that zeal for the nc
QUESTION of Cuba, which has taken hold Of many
Soutlerncrs. 1t presents real difficulty which it
would be we'll for every one to consider gravely he.
fore coming To definite conclusion upon this impor-
,ant subject. We confess ha, unable to ccnr
up the obstructons presented satisfactorily We
could desire to do Our hope of benefit would be
founded upon the belief, first, that Cuba would bo
admitted into the Union tf a, nlD slave State
secondly that the tide Of emigration would more
than supply the absence of the African trnde-lhirdIy,
that The shrewdncss of American citizens, whether
North or South would soon teach them that the
rich resource Of Cuba could only be properly and
proltnbly developed by negro laborers and that
therefore, the firm establishment Of the institution,
it exists at present among us, might be nationally
anticipated. We migh. add the reflection that public
opinion both in this country and in England is be.
coming more favorable to that institution, Indicated
by the recent triumph Of PIERCE and by the chang
ing spirit Of the leading English Reviews. With the
latter, the very circumstance Of emancipation in the
West Indes, with its destructive results, has had
much to do in bringing abont the altered tone which
is now being manifested. Other assistant facts might
be mentioned. But whether all Of them combined
sufficient render it certain that the Of
Cuba annexation would rebound the improving and
Strengthening Of Southern interests is proposition
which may still admit Of doubt l5u: we must stop.
Our only intention the outset direct atten-
tiun TO the -hcrcurys article.
HOPE DEFERRED"
FRoM amusing serio.comico editorial, in an
Anderson Ga.cttc Of nte date, infcr that the pa
ticnce Of the good penpe in those parts is sorely tried
by the snailike progresH which the Grcenville and
Columbia Railroad is making towards completion.
The editor least is " down in the mouth upon the
subject. IIcnr him discourse, in genuine mock
elcgiuc, of the Iron Horses slow and clumsy I'D
vuuCrS