Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-01-26
RALEIGH, WEDNESDAY, JAN. 90. 1853.
CUBA.


Lord Palmerston and Lord Howden British Minis
ter tn SPAIN the former structs the latter rs ol-
lows
have to instruct your ordship to observe to M.
dc NaraAores that the slaves of Cuba form a large
portion and by means unimportant one, of the
population of Cuba, and that any steps taken - pro-
vide for thei- emancipation would. therefore, as far
as the black population is concerned, be quite in uni
sion with the recommendation made by her Majesty's
Government, that measures should be adopted for
contenting the people of Cuba, with view
the connection between that Island and the Spanish
crown; and must be evident that, if the negro pop
ulatiou of Cuba rendered free, that fact would
create powerful element of resistance any scheme
for arnexing Cuba to the United Staes where slave
ry still exists "
The emancipation Of the slaves in Cuba would,
it is true, create powerful element Of resistance
to any scheme for annexing Cuba to the United
States, for the plain reason that without slave la
bor the island would be comparatively vaueless.
But such course on the part Of the Spanish gov
cram mt w )uil be an outrage towards the govern
rnent and people of the United States and what
ever our government might think proper to say
and do under the circumstances it is quite GER
tain the people of the slaveholling States would
take steps to protect themselves against the con-
sequences of this outrage In supposing this case,
We proceed, of course, upon the assumption that
the act would be perpetrated on the part Of Spain
under the advice Of Great Britain for the sole pur-
pose of preventing in any event, the annexation
Of Cuba TO this country; and it would be done,
too at time wh.n the people of the United States
would be pursuing, as they now, just policy
towards the former power in relation to this por-
ton of her possessions. No mere risinr Of the
people Of Cuba against oppression could justify
such an act the part of Spain, though it might
b, apparent that such rising would result in annex
alton to this country; and if under these crcum-
stances, emancipation should be proclaimed it
would only hasten the event of annexation, while
the proclamation of emancipation would prove
abortye But how, it may be asked, would the
people of the slaveholding States protect them
selves? They would do it by uniting with the
Cuban shareholders themselves who would not
thus WELD up their property without desperate
struggle and they would do it, not as States, but
as people, having perfect right, in the midst
Of revolution going forward in contiguous coun-
try, and emancipation thus proclaimed, to take
such steps as might be essential to the protection
Of their interests and preservation of their cher
i$hcd domestic institutions.
While on this subject may rs well repeat
what we have heretofore said, that it is best that
Cuba SHOULD remain just she is, unless her poo
PIE can establish their independence or unless
Spain will to sell to the United States. If
Spain should obstinaely persist i'll her refusal to
sell Let her hold to it as long as she can; but
let the government of the United States see to it
that Cuba dos not fall into the hands Of any other
power. This is the point upon which the whole
1ttrrt and whom tho b0up 1rri,
it must, neither France, nor Russia, nor England
will 20 10 war with this country to prevent annex
alton.
In the meantime the law Of nations and our
treaty obligations require that the government Of
the United States should not only abstain from all
attempts to encourage spirit OF revolution on the
island, but our own laws have made it the duty of
our government to prevent, by all proper and suit
able means, the fitting out of armed expeditions
with view to the invasion of Cuba. Cuba this
same law declares, Is inheritance of the Spanish
Crown; and however much the feelings Of our peo-
pie may revolt at such id4at is nevertheless the
duty of our government to recognize it and act
accordingly, But we would give to despots strict
justice" the bond the pound of flesh, and
nothing more. If the depraved and decaying GOV
eminent Of Spain can hold to this island, so be it
not annexation to this country will be the certain
result 1t is enough that our coasts should be
guarded to prevent, if possible the fitting out of
eXpedltions-it is enough that the officers of Gov
eminent should be OIL the alert on our own soil
and our own waters to arrest and bring to trial
those who violate laws in this respect this,
we repeat, is in the bond" and we would give
1t to the full, but we protest against our govern
ment sending our vessels Gas Mr. Fillmore has
done with the stars and stripes floating at their
mastheads, to surround the island and protect des
Potism in It's grasp upon its victim Let the victim
struggle up if he can; let him come out into the
light of freedom, by main force if it must be So
and amidst blood, and fire, and carnage; let him
have some chance-S0ne room for blows As orr
fathers had; but above all, if the tyrant should
still prevail, let skirts be clear These are
oid-fashloned sentiments, it is true, but they will
stfnd. They were born in the Revolution which
deprived the British crown of its inheritance II
these States; and they will live and flourish wbo,
oesp0ls and their claims to rule by divine RIGHT
shall have been consigned to the chambors IF oh
livion.