Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-19

exists upon the subject. We shall, however, con-
fine ourselves for the present to the statement of one
or two of the leading points.
In the first place, do the interests of the UNITED
STATES as Maritime Power require that they
should be in possession of CUBA, so as to Justify
the obtaining it at all hazards We do not per-
ceivc what benefit as Maritime Power more than
they now possess, is to be obtained by the United
States from this acquisition. 1t is said to be the
key of the Gulf of Mexico, and that, once there,
we would have so complete a sovereignty over the
Caribbean Sea that no flag could fly on its broad
expanse but by our permission. But do not those
who indulge in such notion as this know that the
sovereignty of no sea belongs to any Power who has
not competent force spread over it to maintain its
assumed dominion; and that, if they have such
power there is no necessity for such key to unlock
the sea to them? The history of the world pre-
sents many instances of these keys becoming
rusty and of no USE
AS the possession of Cuba by us as key to the
Gulf of Mexico is unnecessary, in consequence of
its ncapacity to secure to us what we require from
it, the control of the Gulf of Mexico let us now
look at its possession in adependant charecterhat
is, giving to it the independence as enjoyed by the
States of this Union, but dependence on the Uni
ted States for protection, it coming under all the
obligations of the other States Cuba is certainly
the most valuable of the islands Of the American
Archipelago. Its climate beyond the sea-shore is
most favorable to longevity Its soil is rich and
luxuriant. Sugar and coffee are the material ele-
mens of its prosperity but there is scarcely tro-
pical production that will not find here genial sun
dcspotic, for all European colonial possessions can
only be made subservient to the mother country by
the most abject submission.
Suppose we become possessed of the island, how
is it to be governed? BY the Constitution of the
United States each State is required to have re-
publican form OF government, and such is guaran-
tied to each of the confederated States. No re-
ligion can, under institutions, be established By
lar, and any attempt made by State to legalize
such establishment the United States are bound
to prohibit. Now, Cuba has an established exclu-
sive religion, and will part with it only by compul-
sion. In such case, what is to be done? To CO
cree her will produce rebellion; and what state
Of things will this be to usher the newborn State
into the great family of the Republic! Perhaps
we may be told that California, Louisiana, and
Florida had equally this religion, and no such event
occurred in the transition from Catholicism to Pro-
testantism But this state of things did not exist
in these transferred colonies in the manner in which
it does in Cuba In these cases the population was
sparse and spread over vast territories Four-ffths
of these people had no other worship than such as
an isolated priest brought to their door, and per-
haps the only obligation imposed upon them was
the temporary maintenance of the minister. But
not 50 in Cuba. Their worship is accompani-
ed with all the magnifccnce of the Romish ritual
Their cities are all supplied by the Metropolitan,
and their population is sufficiently dense to have
their daily ministrations. In the introduction of
new laws in new language, new customs, and
new population, all persons connected with an ex-
elusive worship must be made to bend to the re-
generation. Will not perpetual source of discord
be thus opened and may not the attempt to allay il
cost blood as well as treasure?
1 In what condition would the United States be
placed by this acquisition At present the trade
of Cuba employs large portion of American CAPT
tai. This, in its present occupation, forms COM
/ pOHclI part VI our COluneTcc aUQ ITaue. Inc re-
venue derived therefrom amounts to no inconsistent
BILE sum. Now, by annexation, will not that part
of this trade which constitutes value to the Uni
ted States in their sovereign character cease, and
the intercourse with it become like that Of New
Orleans or New York, receiving supplies and pay
ing their value in the produce of the island? This
may be beneficial to individuals but to the United
States of no more value than the trade between
New York and Virginia.
These are but few Of the considerations which
force themselves upon our attention whenever the
acquisition Of Cuba is presented as topic for Sc
rious argument.
On the subject of the Inaugural Address Of the
President we intended to have dwelt more at large
had circumstances of time and space allowed us to
do 50. We will not, however, take leave of itwthout
expressing cordial concurrence in all that is so
well said in it of the adjustment Of the sectional
controversy which 50 deeply agitated the country
year two ago. and Of the duty of all good citizens
to respect and abide by it..
We regret to learn that the Hon Mr. WADE, Of
Ohio, has been so seriously i'll for week past as to
be unable to attend to his duties in the Senate.