Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-01-05
THE UNITED STATES AND cunA.

The speeches made in tho Senate on Thurs
day last uyon resolution to call apon the
| Executive for copies of the papers in relation
| to the proposition made to the United States
| by the Governments Of Greet Rritian and
France to enter into Tripartite Treaty for
the safeguard to Spain of the Island of Cuba,
! cannot have failed to attract the attention Of
our readers, and Of intelligent men all over
! the country
Considering the position Of the leader in
that debate G Mr.. Senator Mason, Of Virginia
and chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations.) the emphatic language employed
by him on this occasion il honorable not to
him only but to his State and 10 our common
country. We do not agree with him, as our
readers know, in his anticipation Of benefits to
accrue to the United States from the acqui-
sition of Cuba on terms no matter how fair
or how equitable as between this country and
the present owner of that Island We con-
cur. on the contrary. in the sentiment of the
Pr esident, who cannot perceive any advan-
tage to arise to the United States from the
possession of that territory which is not out.
weighed by prospective evils. But we must
be allowed TO offer our thanks to the hanora-
ole Senator who, representing truly. we be-
lievc the sentiment Of bis great State; pro
nounced decisive condemnation Of filibus-
terism ih general and its false logic and pre-
tecces. in the following passage Of his speech :
The honor, the dignity, The good Of
America for all time to come demand at the
hands Of the American people, not only that
they should not sympathize with or cncour-
age. but that they should Indignantly frown
upon and suppress any attempts, by violence
in any form. to wrest from SPAIN any part oe
her whether they be stimulated
by political ambition or by spirit of spccu-
lative marauding on the part ofthose who en-
gage in it..
Nobly done, Mr. Mason.
Nor are the thanks of the country less due
to the venerable Senator from Michigan.
! General Cass) for his grave rebuke of the
tollies aud extravagansies of those among us
who seek to avail themselves Of the lightcst
fumes of popular sensibilty to fan into a
flame notions of conquest, subiugation, and
annexation, upon every incidental misundcr-
standing which occurs in either our CONNER
cial or political intercourse with Foreign Pow
ers. We do not entirely agree with Cen
Cass, any more than with the Senator from
Virginia. IN his views of the policy of extern
ding the dominions ofthe United States. or
OF acquiring, even, amicably, the Island of
Cuba. Bnt we do admire the truly national
and patriotic spirit which runs through his
speech, and soften things in it which we can
not wholly digest, In the explanation with
which he accompanies it the doctrine of man
ifest destiny" even, becomes less revolving in
our apprehension of it.
i With regard to the dominions of the Uni
ted States, are they not already wide enough ?
And as to acquiring Cuba in any way, the
Judgment uttered from the tomb by the spir-
it OF the great Statesman Of the South, does
it net ring in our ears: Cuba is to us for
hidden fruit Nat. Int 2Sth alt.