Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-12

bors merchants would be found there ready purchase
and buying in neutral port and reshpping in neutral
they would be safe from the danger of capture and
thus Of the greatest hardshps VI would be almost
entirely aeyiated Our previous history is pregnant with
proof 20 this effect During the embargo Of Mr.. Jeer
son, shipped to Florida then Spanish colony about
eight thousand bales Of cotton As as the embargo
removed those shipments ceased entirely In 1874
during the with England shipped to Florida about
thirteen thousand bales of cotton In 1876 when the
war had ended not solitary bale. These figures show
how great the advantage Of having neutral Power
upon borders, and how much suffering avoided
which must otherwise have been endured. The vast in
Of the Gulf trade renders such outlet Of far
Importance than at any former period and it is diff
cult to estimate oil the advantages which may flow from it.
Let me turn to general view Of the subject
Cuba has population of million two hundred thou
sand inhabitants OF these about ,sx hundred thousand
whites little than two hundred thousand free
blacks and the remainder slaves most of them Of
importation. the Island Of Cuba turned
US tomorrow without cost with this Heterogeneous popu
lation how is it to be governed Not of them has
exercised the right Of suffrage Not them ever
for moment felt the iron hand Of military desposm re-
laxed They could not be trusted to govern themselves
The habits and the prejudces Of centuries are not to be
shaken off in an hour They would still cherish deep
seated attachment for the spendor of royalty and deep
contempt for the plain republican government which
would suppant it, To such people constitution and
State after American models would be curse
leading inevitably to anarchy constant disturbances and
daily scenes of violence and bloodshed.
Another imposing difficulty to be found in their esa-
Win US that could continue. The
magnificent ceremonies which they have been accustomed
to surrounded and protected by the full strength Of
the law, would at once lose that protection; and the
cowled priest whose hes paid to him legal
right would find himself dependant upon the charity OF
his flock whom therefore ha would have every motive to
render discontinued and turbulent, Who estimate
the effect OF this upon ignorant bgoed and superst
t0us race speaking different language accustomed to
different laws despsing our institutions looking upon us
with jealousy and fear? This blow at religion which
has been transmitted to them from century century
would dsspate the last hope of cordial union between
the races and render it nearly certain that in order to
govern Cuba peaceably first must make it solitude
and then people it with emigrans from these States
But sir if every other objection to the annexation Of
Cuba were removed, there would still exist almost in
superabe difficulty in the number of free blacks who
about the island Ignorant and vicious they would
be found ready instruments in any work Of mischief
Mngng freely with the slaves they would be constantly
exciting the latter o instruction and revolt and thus
render the lives of the planters every moment insecure
1t may be asked why these evils not now felt? In
degree they are; but they felt less sensbly,
BECAUSE these the rest Of her subjects Spain
maintains sleepless military rule They can turn in
direction without meeting company of infantry
troop Of horse and the certainty with which heavy pun
shment follows suspicion operates eectual
check upon their vicious propensities With it would
be wholly different There would be soldiers to
them military executions to keep alive their ter
rors, police exercising them constant vigilance,
and checking every plot in its first inception In the
South understand the difficulties and the dangers
which arise from this class of population, and most of
the Southern States have passed laws to exclude them
from their limits but they already located in Cuba,
and the difficulty is to get rid of them.
There other arguments which might advance, but
is not needed In the elaborate discussion which these
resolutions have caused do not recoect to have
single tenaba advanced in favor Of the acquisition
OF Cuba Its possession is assumed to be of immense adj
vantage; but in what that advantage consists
wholly uniformed We are not told how to be
benefited by throwing away revenue of FIVE six mil
lions Of dollars annually We are not told how we are
he wing he ture If in
Southern States We not told how to be bene
fitted by changing the character of neutral harbor into
which our commerce might be safely poured in time Of
war We are not told what advantage we are to derive
from incorporating among mass of wreched human
beings whites, free blacks, and slaves unfit to govern
themselves, and unwilling to be governed by
Not of these things to have been considered
of sufficient Importance to attract attention In the elo
quen speech of the honorable Senator from louisiana
MR. SouLE was particularly struck with the absence
OF all this noticed also another significant omission
He did to tell us when in what way he
thought Cuba ought to be acquired He told that he
not in favor Of its purchase but there he stopped
he does not desire that it should to
the result of unprovoked and aggressive There
is but other mode in which it come, and that is
by successful revolt Of the Cubans themselves Well sir
if that be his method we are pretty nearly agreed.
willing to compromise that for IL is tolerably
tain that he and will both be cold the grave long before
that revolution is begun much less accomplished.
The Senator from Florida (Mr. MALLORY went bow
shot beyond the Senator from Louisiana and argued that
there was some sort Of soverrung necessity" which
about compel to snatch this gem from the
Of Spain. / recognise, sir, overriding Providence
whose demands that nations should be upright just
and honest and deny the existence Of any necessity which
in conflict with that law Heretofore progress
and manifest destiny" have been considered sufficient
to oil designs upon the property Of neigh
bors but these catch nearly two years DID,
and therefore approaching the precincts Of "ogy
ismn 1t was necessary that Young America should
have and the Senator from Florida has sup
piled it," overriding necessity" admire his judgment
lie could not have selected comprehensive phrase
Certain it is that there is wrong will not
outrage it viii not extenuatc.
Mr. President, / need not say that do not intend to
vote for these resolutions The which
purpose not to take possession of Cuba by fraud vio
lence is certainly that far in accordance with my feel
ings but do not the necessity of making the decla
ration. 1t TO be both undignfed and unman
y TO be making constant protestaons of honesty
Let show the world by that honest and
leave all such declarations those whose doubtful charac
ter requires such bosterng Nor do think the
affirmation Of the Monroe doctrine would add its i'm
portance. Our policy has long ago been announced to
the world and this restless desire reierate 1t upon all
occasions, looks to somewhat IL we doubted our
resolution, and required fow legislative resolves
keep up our courage.
The Senator from Michigan has expressed considerable
surprise at what he shrinking from meeting the
questions raised by his resolution Sir, there may be
other than fear which render reluctant to
for them. When boy read story OF the civil Of
England which taught lesson not yet forgotten. An
adherent Of the Parliament had been cruelty treated by
Of the opposite party. His houses had been burnt
down and his fields made desoate Some time afterwards
he met acquaintance to whom he told the story Of his
wrongs. II done simply and plainly, without sin
gle threat execraon When he had finished his friend
asked him, with surprise, and did you not
venge :" "No," was the reply, " those who take the
worry n TINA Will