Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-01-29

.ra of races or their want of training in liberal ins
tntions showed themselves incapable of selfgovern-
ment The province of Texas revolted from mexico
~ tbe same right that Mexico reyoted from Spain
:; the memorable battle Of San Jacnto, in 1885, she
assed the great ordeal of nascent States and her in
ganendence was recognised by this Government, by I
France. nv England, and other European powers
Mainly peopled from the United states, Sne sought
naturally to be incorporated into the Union
The offer was repeatedly rejected by PRESIDENTS
Jackson, and Van Buren,, to avoid colisloh WIN
Mexico. At last the annexation took place. AS
domestic question: it is not mt subject lot ooe
in communication to foreign minister; as ques-
ton of public law, there an extension Oh ter
ritory naturally or ustfaby made; it produced
disturbed relations with the government oil Mexico
ensued and in its results other extensive terrific
ries were for large pecuniary compensation on the
part of the United States, added to the Union With
out adverting the divisions of opinions which arose
| in reference this war-as must always happen in
free countries in reference to great measuresno per-
son surveying these events with the eye of comprehcn
sye craftsmanship fail to trace in the main result,
the undoubted operation of the law of our political exc
istence.
The consequences are before the world vast prov
nces which had langushed for three centuries, under
the leaden sway of stationary system, are coming
under the influence of an active civilization, freedom
of speech and the press-the trial by jury, religious
equality and representative government have been car
ried by the Constitution Of the United States into ex
tensve regions in which they unknown before.
By the settlement of California the great circuit OF
intelligence around the globe is completed The dis
covery of the gold of that REGION leading, did TO
the discovery in Australia, has touched the nerves
of industry throughout the world Every addition to
the territory of the American Union has given homes
to European want. From every part of the United
Kingdom, from France from Switzerland and Germa-
n.y. and from the north of Europe the march
of emigration has been taken ups such the world has
never seen before.
The United States grown to their present extent in
the described little less than half million of
population of the old world is annually pouring in to
be Immediately incorporated into industrious and
prosperous community in the bosom OF which they
find political and religious liberty social position, en-
ployment and bread. 1t is fact which would defy be-
lief were it the result of official inquiry, that the
emgrants the United States, from Ireland alone,
besides having subssted themselves have sent back to
their kindred for the last three years, nearly five mil
lions of dollars annually, thus doubling in three years,
the purchase meney of Louisiana.
$ Such is the territorial development of the United
States in the past century Is it possible that Europe
can contemplate it with unfriendly jealous eye
What would have been her condition i'll these trying
years. but for the outlet have furnished for her star
a wing millions Spain, meantime has retained, of her
i extensive dominons in this hemisphere but the two
islands of Cuba and Porto Rico; respectful sympathy
with the fortunes of an ancient all and gallant peo-
: pie with whom the United States have maintain
It ed the most friendly relations would, if other rca-
existed make it duty to leave her in the unds-
~ turbed possession of this little remnant of her mi gty
translantc empire The President desires to do
% No word deed of his will question her title or
e shake her possession.
/, But can it be expected to last very long Can it
resist this mighty current in the fortunes Of the world
Is it desirable that should do Can it be for the
interest of Spain to cling to possession that
u ly be maintained by garrison of twenty-five or
thirty thousand troops powerful naval force, and an
annual expenditure for both of the service of at
least $l2,000yOOO. Cuba at this moment costs more
to Spain than the entire naval and military establish
Il of the United States costs the federal govern
hOY1r H. Of
It the island, there is doubt that it peacefully
transferred to the United States, prosperous
J. merce between Cuba and Spain, resulting from an
! cent associations and common language and tastes,
would be far productive than the best contrvel
e system of colonial taxation. Such notorously has
1t been the result Great Britain of the establishment
of the independence OF the United States.
> The decline of Spain from the position which she
IL held in the time of Charles V. is cocva with the uun-
dation of her colonial system while within twenty
five years. and since the loss of her colonies she has
. entered upon Of rapid improvement unknown
n since the abdcation of that Emperor will but al
!" Jude evil of the first magnitude. i mean the
African slave trade in the suppression Of which France
takes lively interest; evil which still forms
~ great reproach upon the civilization OF ChrsteRdum.
d and perpetuates the barbarism of Africa but for
which, it is to be feared there is hope of complete
/ remedy while Cuba remains Spanish colony. But
whatever may be thought of these last suggestions it
& would seem impossible for any who reflects upon
the events glanced at in this note, to mistake the laws
ultimately arrested by convention like that proposed.
L In the JUDI ment of the President, it would be as
easy to throw dam from Cape Florida to Cuba in the
: hope Of stopping the flood of the Gulf stream as to
J. ATTEMPT by compact like this to fix the fortunes OF
Cuba now and for hereatter-or expressed in the
French text OF the convention, for the present
'f the uture-pour les present cournil pour la venir
that is, for all coming time
d The history of tie pastof the recent past-aords
e assurance that twenty years hence France or Eng
y land will even wish that Spain should retain Cuba
$ and century hence-juaging OF what will be from
$ what has been-the pages which record this PROPOSE
ton WILL like the record Ofthe family compact between
/ France and Spain, have no nteres: but Tor the anti
: quarry. Even the President canIot doubt thai
i both France and England would prefer any change in
the condition of Cuba to that which is most apprehen
l. ded viz, internal CONFUSION which should renew
/ the horrors and the fate of San Domingo. will III
innate final objection to the proposed convention.
X NJ dc Turgot and Maemsbury put forward as the
reason for entering into such compact the at
u tacks which have lately been made the Island oil
Cuba by lawless bands of adYenturers from the United
States, with the avowed design of taking possession
of that island The President is convinced that the
conclusion OF such treaty, instead of putting stop
to these lawless proceedings, would give new and
: powerful impulse to them. 1t would strike death
blow to the conservative policy hitherto pursued in
y this country towards Cuba.
: No administration of this government, however
strong in the public confidence in other respects could
stand day under the odum of having stipulated with
the great powers of Europe that in no future time un
der no change of circumstances, by no amicable ar
rangement with Spain, by of lawful war; should