Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-09-24
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.


Government have its relations with foreign
powers involved as important interests as they
do at the present time. Our vast extension Of
territory, and increase of commercial business,
have brought rs into immediate contact with
all the nations of the world, and have imposed
on our government obligations to exercise
the greatest vigilance and firmness. We have
already attained such high rank among The
nations of the world, that our progress is look
ed upon with jealousy BY the leading European
governments and no effort will be left untriel
know that this feeling exists, and to guar
against its malign influence.
\ hasty glance at some Of the interest
ing questions that have arisen, or must
speedily arise, between our own aud foreign
governments, will illustrate the truth OF these
observations, and may not be deemed amis. by
our readers.
From our geographical position, tn. rela.
tons of the United States and Mexico with
each other must always be most import.
ant She is directly in the route of com
munication between our Atlantic and Pa
cifc States, and our intercourse with her must
consequently be ofdaily and hourly occurrence
1t Is evident that 1t Is the true policy of the
two governments, to cherish the IN lst friendly
feelings toward each other; but causes of un-
kindness already exist The Messilla valley
questionable demands for Indian depreda.
tons on Mexican citizens, amounting to mil
lions of dollars-the claims of our own citizens
on Mexico for its spoliations, and the Tehuan-
tepec railroad contract-all quickened into &C.
tivity by the hostile prejudices of Santa Anna
and large majority ofthe Mexican people, pre-
sent an array Of difficulties that threaten our
amicabe relations with no small amount of dis
turbance. Great prudence, wisdom, and sa-
gacity will be necessary to prevent rupture,
and at the same time to secure all our rights.
The island of Cuba must inevitably continue
to be most delicate subject of discussion be-
tween the United States and Spain. The de
velopments of every hour strengthen the con.
viction that we may be compelled to bring that
island within our jurisdiction. Our safety, our
interest, our self-respect may emphaticaly re-
Mexico that gulf is ours to great extent.
Its trade is almost solely ours, and we are
bound to guarantee it from molestation. To
do this we ought to own Cuba and this fact
Of itself is a sufficient justification of any
necessary measure to acquire it, without vo-
lating right or treating Spain with national
indignity. The recent movements of France
and Great Britain, relative to this island, are
calculated TO awaken the most lively interest
If 1t be true that initiatory steps to abolish
slavery there have been taken, under the die
tation of Great Britain, il is high time for our
government to interpose. Shall We permit
another ST. Domingo In Cuba? Shall we per-
NIT . negro king to hold in his hands the key
to the mouth of all our magnificent ri, crs fall
ing into the Gulf of Mexico? The Spanish
monarchy has become wretchcd decrcpid
skeleton pf power. II remembers the victo-
ries aud the glories Of Charles the It'll, and
vainly imagines that its proud historical
renown must awe and dazzle the independent
gaze of modern nations. The statesmen of
Great Britain understand and practice upon
this national weakness in which pride and
poverty struggle for the mastery Cuba is of
little or no value to Spain herself 1t fur.
nishes employment for good many of her
pennyless nobility, and enables them to plum
der large fortunes; but, as a public domain,
it yields but scanty revenue, beyond the cost
of maintaining its possession.
Great Britain is, and ever will be, our evil
genius. Go where we may, we encounter her
as orr great rival. On the Canada frontier--in
the Gulf Of Mexico-off our Atlantic coast-in
Africa, Asia, and the islands of the Pacific, we
meet the cross of England. She hangs upon
our skirts everywhere, and seeks to accomplish
By cunning and chicanery what she cannot do
by force. Her agency fronts US in Mexico. in
Spain and will do so in China; and we shall
have not only the skill and adroitness of these
native governments to combat, but they will
be reinforced by British craft and British ex-
periencc. The policy of that government is
profound and consistent. In all places, and at
all times, it tends to the same result. To build
up British commerce-to acquire commanding
positions in every sea, and in the vicinity Of
every nation-to enrich and to strengthen its
aristocracy, and to render the great mass of the
people the most productive and valuable slaves,
at the least possible cost to their employers,
is the leading object Of the British policy. II
abolished black slavery in Jamaica, because it
had white slavery at home and Gentoo slavery
in Asia and because black slavery is one of
the most essential sources of power on which
our government depends As we have neither
white nor Gentoo slavery, If black slavery be
abolished, or discredted in the eyes of the
world; il would be one Of the most fatal blows