The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-17
CUBA AND SLAVERY.

We have seen that but for the Vaccinations
Of the Slave Power Cuba would in all prOba-
bility have been freed from the Spanish yoke
in 1924 and the policy Of annexation to this
country greatly forwarded, not contaminated.
In the course of time, Slavery became clam
orous for more territory. The relations Of
Cuba to Spain began to give profound concern
TO tho Pro-Slavery party in this country. Eng
land had cmancipated her slaves, and it be-
came her interest to bring about emancipation
in the colonies of Spain and France. France
was meditating the abolition Of Slavery, and
the heavy debt due from Spain to English capt.
taiists, with Lord Palmerston's hint that it
! might become the duty Of the Government to
enforce its payment, placed Cuba in jeopardy,
in the opinion of our slaveholding statesmen.
Mr. Polk concurrng in this opinion, and anx-
ions always to slgnalize his Adninistrsti by
territorial acquisitions, made strenuous efior,
to obtain the island by purchase. The cores
pondence on this subject we published few
weeks since So far as we can judge the policy
Of MIR. Polk was generally sustained by the
South and had it been successful, no consider
able party in that section would have breathed
IL word OF ceDsure.
The failure of the negotiation, the pubica.
ton of the correspondence, throwing additional
obstacles in the way of annexation, the disas-
ters attending every expedition to revolution re
the island the interpOsition of Great Britain
and Frapce, and further consideration of the
whole subject, seems to have wrought some
change in the spirit of the South SO dis
cordant are opinions in that quarter, that il
ID now almost impossible to determine what is
the prevailing sentiment in relation to annexa
ton We have looked to the speeches of South
ern Senators for light, but they are evidently
perplexed As to their desire, there can be nc
doubt but how to fulfil it, without danger il
the question which battles their craftsmanship
Judge Mason took occasion, at IN early period
in the session, to express his views no far as h,
had any. He deprecated violence in any shape
insisted upon the maintenance of the most rigiC
good faith towards Spain--denounced all fiji
clustering, but was at pains to affirm that n,
transfer of Cuba to another Power would b.
allowed and that finally the island would b,
incorporated into the Union. How this was I,
be accomplished; he did not pretend to say
only, he would have us wait till the fruit wa
ripe And the Washington Union said, Good
let us wait till the fruit is ripe
Next followed General Cass He was NOR,
positive in his love for Cuba-not quite 30 de-
cided against flibustering. Still, he was
against twas in favor of keeping the faith o.
treaties in favor of sustaining the Administra
ton in what il had done to enforce our neu
trality laws But, Cuba was in danger from
European intrigue--England was jealous o.
ns--was impertinent about our Slavery-w,
must watch Cuba--she must be ours some time
or other--sho shall not be another's And the
Washington Union said, Good-she shall not
be another's
Next came Mr. Soule. He WAS for preserving
our honor and maintaining treaty obligations
he was opposed to violence and lswlessness
but he denounced the Administration for out.
having American citizens and INDICATED Lopez
and his followers He would not offend Cas-
titan pride by Offering to buy the jewel of the
Antlles--he would not pluck this jewel by VIC.
lence--still il must be ours Should there be
Il revolution in Cuba, We must see that she has
fair play. And the Washington Union said,
Good--she shall have fair play.
Last Of oil comes Mr. Clemens OF Alabama.
He rebukes every kind of 6libustering-ridi.
cules Young America and the popular doe.
trine of Progress lis utterly conservative
breaches peace with all nations--doubts
whether the annexation of Cuba now would be
a beneficial movement--styles Louis Kossuth a
sturdy beggar--sives no quarter to the doctrine
of lntervention-is in favor of home.develop-
ment against 6libastering And the Washing
ton Unio. said Good-the Democratic Party
Is against hibustering
We turn from these conflicting speeches,