The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-04
The cuban question and the Journal OF Com
merCe.


The New York Jouroal of Commerce is incensed be-
yond measure by The debate in the Senate on The question
of Cuban annexation, and in the blindness OF lis rage
pofuseIy its abuse upon everybody who does no
sympahize with its intense devotion TO the interests %
Spain The honorable senator from Virginia. whose res
oulion gave occasion to the debate which the Journal
of Commerce so furousy deplores ncars dIspropor-
onae share OF lis censure that is not the less
renchant because nsnuaed by nnuendo and implication
The Journal OF Commerce processes 10 have entertained
feelings OF the highest respect Tor Senator Mason
until on calm morning, when the business OF the
session was about to commence. lie threw his bombshel
into the midst of the Senate since which calm morn
ing" Mr. Mason has ceased TO enjoy the high respect oil
the Journal of Commerce. 1t may possibly afford some
consolation 10 the honorable senator in his bereavement
to know that the high and conservative sentiments OF his
speech the theme of applause throughout the Unon
and that even the Charleston Mercury, which is aversc
10 the acquisition OF Cuba, is constrained 10 admire the
lofty position which he has assumed, and to approve the
dignity as well as the eoquence Of his language 1t sno
against Mr. Mason alone that the Journal OF Commerce
launches shafts. Mr. Soue in for share OF lis
censure although he said nothing ia the debate which
could by possibility offend its sensitive Spanish feeling
its "heh Cas,ilan pride" So far The sentiments OF
Mr. Soue the Cuban question have been eommunl-
Gated to the public they place him in unequvoca opposi
ton the acquisition Of Cuba by any compulsory or dis
reputable although he might not deem the interest
Of this country spurn the island should chance or an
honorable diplomacy profer il TO the United States We
do not the alusion 10 the appointment OF MIR
Soule as minister to Madrid The Journal OF Commerce
may profess to be advised OF the purposes OF the Pes
dent elect in respect to diplomatic appointments, but ii
has no right 10 predicate any such ausion on the sup
position that Mr. Soule aspires 10 foreign MISSION or
10 any other official post under the incoming admins
traton.
II is not difficult to understand why the Journal OF
Commerce should so hercey oppose the acquisition of
Cuba, and so violently assa those who do moi approve
it's policy The Journal OF Commerce is the especial
champion OF the commercial ineres, of New York
that interest which has been averse to any
political change not avowedly for its own aggran-
dizement An apprehension OF some possible though
undefnabIe and remote danger 10 COMMERCE. has
awakened the alarm Of the Journal of Commerce, and
driven i, into furious opposition the acquisition OF Gu
ba It not against the mode aud means OF acquisition,
but the acquisition ITSELF that The Journal Of Commerce
nveghs. II we may be permitted TO make suggestion
to an advocate vgan in the defence of the interests
Of its client. we would admonish the Journal OF Com
mece that in this instance il has mistaken the interests
OF commerce. The alarm Of the Journal Of Commerce
springs entirely from the assumption that Caba be
acquired only by conquest; and here is The argumen, by
which this assumption is supported There is not an
inch square belonging 10 country that any citizen
would dare to talk of selling TO foreign power there
FORE Spain will never consent, from any consideration to
surrender the dominion of Cuba The fallacy of this
argumen, is exposed in lis simple statement
The reasoning by which those who oppose the pol
icy of the acquisition of Cuba attempt Justify their
position is snguarly indefinite and inconclusive. The
vehemence of their defamation is in proportion TO the
feebleness Of their logic President Fillmore, the most
Of this class OF politicians opposes the
QUESTION of Cuba because il is necessary 10 confne the
resources Of the countyas il period OF great indus
trial development could not coesist with period OF ter
rtoria expansion In direct coafct with this argument
is the objection of the Journal Of Commerce. that Cuba is
already inhabited by civilized and industrious popua.
ton Another opposes the acquisition Of Cuba for lear
OF offending England France; YET England, through
the London Times empba,caly dscsims any opposition
to the transfer of the island he United States, and The
of France has concerns enough OF it's to
engro.s its attention without, crossing the Atlantic in
quest of pers 10 truth against the policy OF the
acquisition Of Cuba by honorable and pacific means
no respectable argumen, has been offered. The
alarm or fbustierm is simply senseess Objections to
the mode Of acquisition do not touch the policy Of acqu
son.