Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05


Look at it, and chow upon the face Of the broad earth
commerce circulascrbed within limits d ne
north bank Of Cuba is emphacay the right bank Of Oh.
Mssissppi and its left bank is the Florida Keys. To
demonstrate it, let any Western Senator send bale Of
cotton stick Of his timber down the Mississippi and
he will nd in point of fact the mouth Of the Mssissppi
between the north bank Of Cuba and the Florida Keys
That mouth is the Florida straits containing but sixty
miles wide of available navigation through which at pre-
sent pass four hundred millions of commerce. through
which, in twenty years. the entire commesce Of Asia, in
the value Of which time is component part such teas
and silks, will pass through it.
Show me the parallel in point Of trade between Canada
and Cuba The hills Of Cuba overlook this pass of
merce, and its people look down upon from sentry
boxes glance the map win show that every feature
which have thus hastily sketched is correct This po-
son Of Cuba with reference merely to the Southern
States but to the entire Union derives great
from the positions which the maritime States Of Europe
not only have recently assumed but in reference to those
positions which Great Britain already occupies upon the
continent. Look at them-and have not heard them
adyered to in the debateom Yucatan to the Oro
river to the Bahamas, and the distant Bermudas
whenever she has motive for naval establishment she
has seized upon every salient and important point upon
which you can plant gun or rear standard.
From these numerous points on the Caribbean sea,
through the Yucatan pass the Mona passage, the Bahia
islands, and the Bermuda she looks upon this strug
Cling of $400 600 900 threading its devious
way through the Florida straits and asked
why should the island of Cuba become important ee
ment in foreign reations?S Why should it? If no
other answer could be given it Is this That our vast
4
the face of the earth, offers greater temptation than any
other position earth, and if Great Britain in addition
to the positions she occupies could and should lay
hapds upon any site in the island of Cuba, upon any
maritime position harbor the north bank Of Cuba,
the outlet Of the Mississippi and ssecuay senled an
if oonvulsion of Nature had reared up continent in
front Of US.
BY these resolutions, and by these discussions the
country has been awakened to the conviction that the
public mind is in way dwelling upon the probab
y necessity Of acquiring the island of Cuba which has
been brought about by the private judgments Of disn
guished individuals by the spirit of the public press and
by speeches the floors of Congress- For one coming
from the State that do feeling deep interest in it for
years past do not wish to hear the acquisition Of
the island of Cuba discussed in Congress. 1t is
cessay to discuss to create public sentiment upon the
subject The mind of the country is made up upon it
and whenever that overrung necessity comes, which
been referred to in the letter of Secretary of State
no Power EARTH partyn the country, preclude
US from awaiting ourselves Of the island of Cuba.
That oyerruling necessity will certainly come, when
shall be engaged in strife with any maritime
ton of the earthnot particularly with Britain SPAIN
or France, but with any maritime country The reason
is obvious because the channel through which the trade
to which have alluded must pass will afford tempta
ton to maritime nation beyond any other the face of
the earth and if we were at with any maritime
Power to-day, the ports upon the north side of Cuba
would be open to them they would be to Neutral
Spain would have perfect right to open her ports to
both begerents And while the opening Of those ports
would furnish retreat provisions, and water and every
thing that maritime enemy of might want, they
would not be of the slightest to We would then
find Cuba occupying the position which Florida did
former OCCASION and should find that that overrulipg
necessity had then arrived and no statesman in this
country could sustain his reputation for hour who
would oppose the taking of the island.
Hence do not wish to see the question discussed
do not desire tpartly because it is not essential to
screw up the public mind upon that question Any
change in the condition of this country from peace brings
with it, in my judgment inevitably the island of Cuba.
In connection with this subject frequently hear the
suggestion thrown out of acquiring Cuba by purchase
otherwise-as if the acquisition of this colony were
question Of dollars and cents In my judgment the
disabuse the public mind of this question
Of purchase the better 1t is untenabe ideaa false
that has not position in a single fact Cuba is not
for SALE There has been time since 1926 when it
could have been purchased 1t be purchased
long stable Government is at the head of the
Spanish nation, and the affairs Of Europe maintain any
thing like their present position. In Of
chy of revolution of confusion with second prince
/ of pescc the head OF the Spanish nation Govern
ment acto might be induced to sell but under the
sent condition of things, proposition in the Spanish
Cortes to sell the everau island Of Cuba would drive
every in the province Of Catalonia alone to revou
ton 1t would drive any Ministry from power, and might
destroy the dynasty itself
But though cannot purchase Cuba, and never will
purchase it, it is evident US it is to Europe, that
Cuba is daily becoming Amercanzed that the voices Of
free millions finding their echoes in her hills and
valleys; that the principles of free institutions with
that centrifugal force which they have always exercised
cannot be resisted controlled by bayones nor can
they be shut out by the strait which divides
And evident IL that the
pendence Of Cuba, whether under similar
form of Government, is merely question Of time
And hence the extraordinary position which has recently
been assumed by the two controlling Powers Of Europe
this question hence the extraordinary apprehension
they have exhibited the jealous wachfalness their
part, which, in my judgment, not only betokens we'll
founded conviction upon their part that the independence
Of Cuba is question Of time, but that that time is
at hand But in my opinion, that movement will tend
to precpitate the consummaton Of thot against which
they would guard Why, sir the proposition to u.s. the
reest people upon earth, to join in unholy upon
the dawning hopes Of CUBA ut variance with
political origin and every day Of political history
viii meet the universal rejection Of every patriot heart in
this country and thousands who have evineed the
slightest interest in the question win find their hearts
swelling in sympathy with every action Of people whose
political vassaage is thus sought TO be perpeu8tcd No
can, thank Heaven, take part in such unholy
alliance and |, for wish TO record my grateful
knowledgmens to the distinguished Secretary Of State
for his letter the subject 1t Is in my Judgment, the
most manifest destiny document that emanated
from the State Department; it is the handwriting upon
the wall And country, in the paths Of Justice
and right guided by the spirit Of peace is onward pro-
gressivey onward and she take such step back
ward this
When we reflect on the obstacles which we have
come-when consider that We have the genius
Of country passing the Mississippi, rearing up
boundless republic in the West crossing the Rocky
Mountains teading the painless Of California and
Oregon standing upon the distant shores Of the Pac6c
and still looking southward-wben all these, TO
doubt that the quiet and peaceful progress which
has accomplished these ends will yet give up this garden
at our very feet and almost in sound Of voice. and