Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-05-24
From the Riehlaoad enquirer. NAV !.
Tho Beginnfng OF the 7IeoS

Il Etl6 9kkeut0Qllf 4
The Beginning OF the End.
I The speech Of Mr.. Slidell in support Of
his proposition to empower the President
TO suspend the operation of the neutrality
flaws presents an exceedingly able and in.
teresting exposition of the policy of the
Spanish government in respect to Cuba.
We were not at all prepared for so admit
rable an oratorical display from the sena-
tor from Louisiana. a speech SO simple
in It's statements, strong IN its arguments.
comprehensive in its views. and lofty in
its tone, will at once elevate Mr.. SliIell
to the rank of the true statesman, IN the
judgement of the. country.
3. II Mr.. Slidell does not demonstrate the
existence of an understanding between
England, France. and Spain for the Afri.
canization of Cuba, it is because the pro-
position is such that is not susceptible of
absolute demonstration. The argument
is one of probability j; and it must be conS
fessed that he makes out an exceedingly
strong case against the conspirators--a
case abundantly justifying the measure of
resistance which he proposes.
This movement on the part of Mr.
Slidell is peculiarly significant. Tho-
roughly conYersant as he Is with Cuban
affairs, it is hardly probable that Mr.. Sill.
dell is deceived in hts conclusions, or
that he proposes measure which is to-
accomplish no practical result. We can
not resist the conviction that this is a step
towards the acqisitition of Ouba,--and
that, too, at no remote day. It is utterly
impossible that Cuba can long continue
in its present unsettled aud uncer-
tain condition. The +" sick man is dy-
Ing" and although, in ths agony of de-
spair, he clutches his treasure With con-
vulsive energy, it is plain that his grasp
is rclaxin {, and that the prize which he
is so relaxing, aud that the pri1e which
he is so reluctant to release will
soon drop from his hand. Sunk to
the lowest depth ofinfamy aud. imbecility,
torn by civil feud and threatened by inn
pending revolution, Spain must submit to
the fate of every nation in tue period Of
decrepitude and decay, and abandon its
colonial empire. The energies OF her go-
vernment are unequal to the duty OF re-
pressing rebellion at home, much moreto
the difficult task of holding is subjection
distant province impatient of its donin.
ion. Tits the duty OF an American states
man to anticipate aud to provide against
contingency so probable and so near as
a civil convulsion in Cuba. This Is all
that Mr.. Slidell proposes; and unless the
Senate be more hampered by traditional
notions and conventional scruples than
we suspect, there will be but little oppc.
sition TO contingent suspension of the
neutrality laws. Spain has not made sat-
isfactory atonement for past outrages, nor
given any security against their recur-
renee. Tie Black Warrior fii6fcuttyis not
settled Negotiations between the two go-
vernments may BIZ purposely and tedious
ly prolonged until after the adjournment
Congress, andIthcn oar commerce may be
harrassed with accustomedimpu1ity. and
any scheme for the Africanization3 OF Gu
ba be carried out without Interruption
Congress should arm the President with
power in advance to meet any such grave
contingency. g sistt'Sq O.
With intense interest the south contem-
plates the successive steps in the progress
towards the acquisition Of Cuba. We be-
lieve the event is rapidly approachtng.-
We believe the administration will turn
the propitfous circumstances of the hour
to good account. We do not doubt for
moment that before the expiration of this
presidential term, the American flag will
float from Moro Castle. If our readers
will bear this prophecy in mind. they will
have occasion to compliment our sagaci.
~.