The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-10

sent, established her freedom, even according
to the whole current OF the decisions of slave
holding courts.
MIR. Howard shall not be deprived of the
Era, so long as he wishes to read it'd. Era.
CUBAN INDEPENDENCE, AND ANNEXATION.
In what we said last week concerning the
annexation of Cuba We did not intend to de-
tract from the claims of Cuba to the sympathy
of the People of this country or to dsparage
the Importance of the question Of Cuban indie
rendence and Annexation. In our opinion, not
only ought this Government to haze pursued
steadily the policy of encouraging the lncorpo-
ration of Canada with this country; not only
should it have sought to promote the welfare OF
Hayti, by excluding, az far rs possible, all Eu-
ropean intrigue, and maniiesting special friend
ship for il but it ought to have labored, so far
as it could do SO honorably, for the independ-
ence of Cuba, and nave kept the way open for
its annexation, whenever such measure could
be accomplished with benefit to all parties.
We prefer to occupy q positive position upon
every important question, and not to dodge be-
hind contingencies. 1t is right to expose the
inconsistencies and contradictions OF others lie
is fair to discriminate between measures, and
avow preference Of one over another But we
dislike the non-committalism which evades any
direct avowal of opinion, by mere defamation
about the reldtlue merits of schemes Of policy,
without declaring in favor of any one OF them.
The miserable inconsistencies of Wings and
Democrats in regard to Tariff cannot Justify
us in refusing to form or express a positive
opinion on the subject The zeal of Gen. Cas-
for Cuba and his lack of zeal for Canada, is Il
fit subject for censure or ridicule, but does not
Justify us 10 taking no position at all in rela-
ton to them We said that our Government
ought to have abored, so far as was consistent
with good faith, for the independence of Cuba; ;
| and we now add, that but for the action of this
Government, Cuba would have achieved, ere
this, its independence, Spanish power would
have been extinguished in this hemisphere and
to-day we should not be alarmed and agitated
with reports of European intrigue in refer
ence to that important island. We beg to call
the attention Of the People especially of
Young America" so called, to a chapter
in our history which will show that here, as in
other questions of policy in our foreign rela-
tons, Slavery, through the Federal Govern
ment, has worked against not only the general
interests Of Liberty, but the best interests Of
the Republic. Insensible to the claims of
Patriotism, it has involved the country in
almost inextricable difficulties, by its blind de-
votion to its own peculiar interests. Cuba
groans this hour in bondage, because the Slave
Power has willed it. That Cuban independence
is not an accomplished fact is owing to the
domination of the Slave Power in our National
Councils. And now to the proof This is sup
piled by Judge Jay, in his view Of the Action
Of the Federal Government in relation to Sla-
vcry"-a book which should be in the hands
of every voter in the country. We transfer to
our columns the section devoted to this subject:
AT the time of the Congress of Panama,
Spain was still Mt war with her late colonies,
and of course they were authorized by every
principle OF national law well as of self.de-
fence, to carry their arms into the dominions of
their enemy. Cuba was at a short distance
devoted to the royal cause and afording a
depot for a naval force ever ready to prey upon
the commerce Of the Republics. Under these
circumstances Mexico and Columbia medta-
ted the invasion and conquest Of that island
But these Republics on achieving their own
freedom, had given freedom to their slaves and
it was probable that they would manifest equal
regard for human rights, were they to become
masters of Cuba. These remarks will explain
the following extract from the Instructions
given to the ministers appointed to represent
the United States at the Congress of Panama:
1t is required by the frank and friendly
relations which We most anxiously desire ever
to cherish with the new Republics, that you
should, without reserve, explicitly state that
the United States have too much at stake, in
the fortunes OF Cuba, to allow them to SEQ with
indifference war of invasion prosecuted in
desolating manner, or to zee employed, in the
purposes of such war, one race of the inhabit-
ants combating against another, upon princi-
pies and with motives that must inevitably
lead if not TO the determination of one party
or the other, to the most shocking excuses
The humanity Of the United States in respect
to the weaker, and which in such terrible
struggle would probably be the suffering por-
ton, and the duty to defend themselves against
the eontagton of such near and dangerous ex-
amples, would constrain them, even at the
hazard of losing the friendship Of Mexico and
Columbia, to employ all the means necessary
to their securiy'*
The obvious meaning of all this, in plain
English, Invested of its diplomatic circumlocu.
ton, ia simply, that the Federal Government,
in order to protect tho slavery of the South
from the shock it might receive from emanci-
patton in Cuba, would, if necessary, 90 to war
with our sister Republics, to prevent the inva.
sion of that island
But 30 long AS Spain refused to acknowl.
edge the independence Of her revoted colonies,
the war would be continued Cuba would DO
exposed to invasion, and the slave States to the
contaglon OF emancipation. Hence the Cabi-
net at w ashngt0n became exceedingly anxious
to act the part OF peace-makers. Our Minister
ut st. Petersburgh was instructed to endeavor
to engage the Russian Government to contrib
ute it's best exertions towards terminating tho
existing contest between Spain and her colo
MES From the vicinity Of Cuba to the United
States, It's valuable commerce and the nature of
ats population, their Government cannot be in.
different to any political change to which that
island may Do destined.'t
Spain also was i'm plorej, through the
American Minister at Madrid, to be reconciled
to her undutful children. IL is not for The
near Republics said Mr.. Clay, in his letter
(27,h April, 1929 to Mr.. Everett that the
President yishes you 10 urge upon Spain the
cxpediency Of concluding the war. If the war
should continue between Spain and the new
Republics and those islands Cuba and Porto
Ricol should become the object and theatre Of
it, their fortunes have such a connection with
the people Of the United States that they could
not be indifferent spectators; and the possible
contingencies Of protrscted war m,sti fr,pg
upon the Government Of the United States duties
and obligations, The Performance Of rh,eh, how-