Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-01-05
Cuba.


The debate which sprung up in the United
States Senate, on the 23rd ultimo, on Mr. MAsoN's
resolution has attracted general attention. and re-
ports of the farther discussion during this week,
which was promised, are anticipated with great
interest. The resolution was simplya call on the
President for the Correspondence between the Sec
re,ary of State and the English and French AM
bassadors in relation to the island of Cuba, but the
general subject of Cuban annexation was introduce
ed and debated to some extent. At first view it
would seem that the discussion was uncalled for
and useless-Spain having refused TO sell the isl
and and there being noproposition before the coun-
try for its acquisition in any way. But informa-
ton on the subject is greatly needed and it cannot
be elected better than by a debate in the Senate.
There is prevailing sentiment in the country that
Cuba is to be annexed to the United States, sooner
OF later, and in some way other-it is very de-
sirable therefore that the people should be able to
decide ihtelligently as to the policy Of such
measure As the Baltimore american says
"Setting aside the rashncss of the agitatorS, and
and regarding only the position of the guietiSts,
namely, that We should swat until the apple falls
when it is ripe-s it not our duty to learn, in ad-
vance what sort Of apple it is? it will make no
difference, in the end, whether we pluck ii from
the tree or pick it from the ground. The original
curse was in seating the spple;" and, no matter
how Comprehensive swallow" of Senators--as MIR.
Cass boosted on Thursday-the digestion is the
important matter. Fruit, generally speaking, is an
excellent thing, but an over indulgence in such
diet is VIGOROUSLY hurtful, especially among young
people. West India fruit, also-eXcept when ia
ken in the shape of preserveS-is considered peri
lous to most stomachs on this Continent. 1t be-
comes us, therefore, as prudent folks, careful of ma
tional health, to observe this temptngorchard very
closely, and to see whether its apples are such as
brought s'sin and death into the woild," or such
asmade the quarrel among the Goddesses on Mount
Ida or such as helped Newton to discover the laws
of gravitation."
Both Senators Mason and CAss took occasion,
in the remarks made by them at the time the res
olution of the former was introduced, to declare
their appreciation of the course Of President FILL
MORE in reference to the recent fillibuster move
ments against Cuba, while, however, they are in
favor of acquiring the island by fair and honorable
means. ''Better late than never" is an old and a
true adage, but it would have been more mag
unanimous and patriotic if these gentlemen had
stepped forth to sustain the hands Of the adj
ADMINISTRATION and the honour of the country a
little sooner, when their partizan friends eve
rywhere were uttering bitter denunciations "a
gainst the President on account of his course
Finding the reins of government about to pass into
the hands Of the party to which they belong, and
feeling the responsibility incident to the new cir
cumstanccs, they have at last done what duty to
the county required of them long ago. Other
Democratic Senators, however, were not very we'll
pleased with their remarks, and Mr.. SouLE threat
ems to be after them with'' sharp stick" When
the debate-which was to be renewelI on yester
day-appears, we shall see how the matter gees.
A long and able article recently published in the
Charleston Is. c. Mercury, sets forth many req
sons why the United States should not acquire the
island of Cuba, either by war or negotiation. A
mong these are, the monarchical habits of the peo-
pie, which would render standing army for the
preservation oforder indispensable the difference Of
race which would make it very difficult introduce
our political institutions there the fact that there
has always been an established religion in the island;
leagued with the Government, claiming universal
obedience, and supported by 1.-THE of all lands;
the habits of smuggling which have grown up
everywhere and would require large custom
house police for its suppression; and the condition
of slavery in the island, which is the most power
full argument against ii annexation. 'There is"
says the Mercury, sea white population, native to
the island or permanently settled, amounting to
near 100000, double that of the white population
of South Carolina in territory little larger than
our State, not one Of whom ever exercised po-
ltical franchise or ever took share in public af
fairs, other than to submit to the power and shout
around the chariot wheels ofestablished authority
We propose to drive out all those who have ever
held rule and of those who have heretofore only
had experience of unquestoning submission we
propose to make democratic republic, and this in
the face of 100000 free blacks and 100000 slaves
freshly imported from Africa. Among all the re-
cent abortive attempts at free government in Eu-
rope, was there q single one commenced under
such desperate auspices as this Is it not abso-
utey certain that to preserve order in such CON-
munity an army would be necessary? And where
there was an army for the purpose of domestic
peace and civil rule, could there be State ?"-
We will not make up our opinion until further
information is obtained.