Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-01-06
Slaveholding Objections to Cuba.

Slaveholding Objections TO Cuba.
That our readers may see more at large
the grounds upon which the South, a por.
ton of it at least, oppose the acquisition OF
Cuba by our government, we give the for
lowing from late number of the Charles.
ton Mercury:
Viii Cuba be slave State when ac-
CURED We have seen that it cannot be
obtained by purchase-that its acquisition
would be at the cost of war. This strug-
gle, then, would be between the United
States, the majority of whom are antlsave-
ry. and Spain whose only motive for de-
tending slavery is found in the peaceable
enjoyment of lis benefits in Cuba, aided, or
at least encouraged and advised, by Eng
land and France, who would throw their
weight on the side of en ancipaton. 1t we
could not be prevented from taking possess
sion Of the island, its possession could be
easily rendered valueless, and even pest
to us, BY the abolition of slavery. In esti-
mating the possibility of efecting this, we
must remember that one third Of the black
or colored population of the island, are
free, and that the greater part of the slaves
are not natives but imported from Africa
within the last twenty years.
Moreover. the lac, Of such great part
of The slave population being but half re-
claimed savages, with no strong local at
tachment, and no love for their masters, has
given rise to system of severity in their
management, which puts the whole OF them
in different position towards the whites
from that which they hold among us. 1t is
clear that it would Cost no great effort on
the part of the Spanish authortles,to throw
the slave population of Cuba into state OF
complete insubordination. Would they do
it! Perhaps not f; but there is probability
enough Of it, to make it a very interesting
point in discussing the duty and policy OF
the southern States. in regard to the acqul
sition of Cuba by force.
1t does not follow, therefore, that in con-
querng Cuba, we should gain slave coun-
try. 1t is quite as uncertain, if we dad,
that it would be admitted as State. II
the South is Interested in restoring the Sec
tional balance, the North is bent on retain
her superiority. Before, they had an equal.
lty in the Senate and they had succeeded
in in depriving California of all government,
whatever, until it came before them tor adj
mission as State with I'll anti-slavery Con
stitution. Now, they can not only check
the South they can vote US down in both
Houses; and are likely 10 surrender SD
periorily which they have violated every
principle of good faith, and endangered
the Union to obtain?
Besides, in what condition would Caba
be, to Justify her admission into the Union :!
There is white population, native to the
Island or permanently settled, amounting to
near 600, 900 double that of the white
population of South Carolina, in territory
little larger than our State,) not one ct
whom ever exercised political franchise,
or ever took share in public affairs, other
than to submit to the power, aud shout
around the chariot WHEELS Of established
authority. We propose to drive ont all
those who have ever held rule; and of those
who have heretofore only had experience
of unques,ionipg submission we propose to
make democratic republic T.; and this in
the face of 100000 ifee blacks, aud 400,
600 slaves freshly imported from Africa.
Among all the recent abortive attempts
at free government in Europe. was there a
single one commenced under such deeper
ate auspices as this! Is it not absolutely
certain that, to preserve order in such a
community, an army would be necessary
And where there was an army fox the pur
pose of domestic peace aud civil rule, ceuid
there he state! Would we admit into the
Union, State which had no power of self
government, was in the hands of the United
State army and navy?
But, suppose all these difficulties con
quered, what has the south gained by res'or'
ing the balance of sections? We surren
dered everything when we allowed the
North to appropriate the whole Of the ives
tern Territories.
There will be new states formed, whose
admission we cannot oppose on airy hitherto
recognized principles, and what have we tt
balance them! Can we keep Minnesota, OF
Oregon or Nebraska, or New Mexico on
OF the Union for any length Of time anC
when one Of them is admitted, what be-
comes of sectiona! equilibrium =? 1t Is toe
late to seek shelter under that, and the
sooner we make up our minds that our onl
safety is in sternIy and unitedy standing BY
wha, we have, the more will be our 'pra
dence and the surer our defence"