The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-17

might oven say, In tho words Of Napoleon regard
ing ConstantinOple. 1.-THE sovereignty u the world"
Several circumstances combine at this moment To
draw attention - the present situation aud pro-
bable future Of the island that thus closes in the Gulf
Of Mexico and commands its outlet. Any change in
her Political condition must be Of great Importance
to us. How soon such change may OCCUR Is the
only point TO be solved. The growing discomfort
among the inhabitants will produce sooner or later
its natural revolutionary fruits other circum stances
DO not forestal it and the strength of the mother
country s not sufficient to suffocate the flames of
belon If they are once lighted. The army and navy
that now hold the island in involuntary vassaaae
are supported entirely BY revenues rai.ed in Cuba,
and It barely sufices for the exigencies of peace
Any connection within her borders. however insig
nificant, would, in greater less degree, dry up
the sources OF her present revenues and the Spanish
power there would fall to pieces of Its own weight.
That such civil cOmmOtiOn must sooner later
take place, ia evident to AL who in any way con-
versant with Cuba, and with the growing spirit OF
discomfort among the Cubans 1t is only question
Of time.
Our great commercial rival. England. has long
endeavored to extend her influence over Cuba, and
very slight recurrence to the pages OF history will
demonstrate that o spirit OF intense selGshness,
rather than of true philanthropy, has been her mo
tive. The idea that she holds toward US any other
feeling than of desire to prevent by all means,
the increase Of physical power and our CONNER
cial supremacy, will vanish, when we remember her
ntrigues during the movement which resulted in the
It Is now many years since she obtained from
Spain the establishment in Havana of mixed court
Of justice, composed of one Spanish and two English
commissioners, for the purpose of trying captured
slave ships. For q long time CHE has Teen laborng
at the court Of Spain to have the power Of these
commissioners extended, 40 that they may go upon
the plantations and inquire into the right by which
every negro is held in servitude. 1t is a well known
fact that large numbers of negroes have been i'm
ported from Africa, with the open connivance Of the
Spanish authorities in Cuba, since the stipulated ex
tnction Of the slave trade 10 1921 and the
sion of this power OF inquiry to the English commits
sioners would cause commotion among the labor
ers, now held to involuntary servtude, that would
result in the decay Of industry and values, the ex
tnction OF commerce. and the overthrow Of the
whites by savage intractabe, and indOlent race
unless, indeed, they adopted that course which de-
spair would indicate. Yet England pursues her po-
Icy with Characteristic tenacity.
ANY effort on the part of the Cubans to establish
their independence would naturally attract the SYM
pathies and the practical assistance Of the more
enthusiastic part OF our population. Any partial
success OF European ntrigues to establish another
free negro island in vicinity, and so near our
shores would render necessary the physical inter-
yention of our government. True wisdom should
therefore urge Us to solve this intricate problem be-
fore 1t becomes so entanged with other que ,tiOns as
ID endanger greater and more material intere sts 1t
Will not 10 FOR us to wait he Development VI "man
Test destiny" There is no destiny except as it is
worked out by men, Others are up and doing.
Such few of the reasons which led me to
present this subject to the convention at Memphis,
and which induce me to deem the acquisition of the
island Of Cuba important t. the proper protection of
our constantly increasing commerce, and to the Sc
curity Of our Southern waters I would urge its
consideration upon the people and government OF
our country as question of national necessity, and
OF national supr smacy. have the honor to be, re-
spectfully, your very obedient servant,
J. S. TaRAsnER.'