The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-09-07
cUBA-wHo Is TO BE BENEFITED BY IT!

There can be no doubt that the acquisition
of Cuba would be highly advantageous to the
commercial and manufacturing interests of the
United States, and particularly the former,
since nearly the whole business of shipping the
exports of the island would fall into the hands
of Northern ship.Ownors. We are inclined to
believe, however, that the value of Cuba as a
consumer OF our products and manufactures IS
over-rated for, in the first place, two-thirds OF
the population consists of miserable slaves and
free colored people. OF the whites, who num-
Der only about four hundred thousand, it would
be liberal estimate to suppose that one-fOurth
of them are in o situation to consume anything
above TIE mere necessaries of existence; and
hence the market which the island will afford
for foe goods must be very limited. It is true
that Cuba exports nearly everything which she
produces, and imports nearly everything which
she consumes; and it is this circumstance
which gives the island such Importance in
81 naiat at giaag-- IL - not that CO.
is SO immensely wealthy as Is supposed; but
she sells everything, and buys everything, and
thereby takes rank above many richer and
more powerful communities which olive at
home"
The iroportations of Cuba are for the most
part necessaries-such as flour and grain, beef
bacon, lard &c, with plain cotton and woollen
goode, shoea, Late, iron, salt agricultural i'm
plements, and the like. De Bows Review con-
tains q letter from John S. Thrasher, Elq,
upon the value of Cuba to the United States
4I,E n.
leans would be the chief beneficiary Of the
commercial advantages to be derived by the
Union from the acquisition Ct Cuba. In sup
plying the means of Subsistence to the people
of that island, New Orleans would certainly
have advantages over New York, or any North
ern city, on account Of its location, and the
facility with which heavy products are carried
down the river and nothing but objectionable
supinencss could prevent her from monopo
lizing the entire trade in grain, -four, bacon
and lard If he is correct in his views, the
Northern cities will reap less by their accom-
modating spirit of Indifference to the enormi-
ties cf Slavery and the slave trade than they
calculate on.
As to the wealth of Cuba, there can be no
doubt that tho grossast exaggerations have
been put f0rsh, partly from ignorance, and
partly from Interested motives. This is shown
by Mr.. Thrasher's statement, that land a3d
negroes are of less value in Cuba than in the
sugar regions of tho United States. Negroes
are only worth $500 in the island while in
Louisiana their value is s 200. These facts
are sufficient to explode the bubble Of Cuban
wealth. They also show, either that the price
of negroes is kept down by the facility and
cheapness with which the article is imported
from Africa, or that the supply of labor is
greater than the demand. We have little
doubt that industry in Cuba would be greatly
stimulated by the release of the island from
the oppressive taxation of Spain, and its annex
alton to the United States But would not this
augmented demand greatly stimulate the Afri.
can trade! And if the vigilance of the Eng.
lish and French fleets, aided now by that of
Spain, has been unable to break up the trade,
is it probable that the United States alone will
be able to stop it? It will be impossible to ex-
port slave from the United States to Cuba,
until the value of slaves in the island is more
than doubled-in other words, until they rise
from FIVE to twelve hundred dollars Until this
takes place, the demand for African slaves on
the island will be ten fold what it now is. To
expect the suppression of the traffic under such
circumstances, with the champions of Slavery
in power flushed with victory and untram-
meled with scruples of conscience, is to expect
a miracle. If the acquisition can be made, by
fair means or foul, before the expiration Of the
present Congress, we shall not be surprised to
see the African slave trade legalized or, if not
legslized, we have no belief that the present
Administration will honestly execute the laws
against it. They viii always be prompt and
ready to call out the military and naval power
to execute the Fugitive Slave Law, although il
plainly violates the Constitution but thew will
be deaf and blind to the infamous piracies
committed upon the poor, benighted Africans.
30, Liberty, what crimes are committed in thy
name!"
We have heretofore called attention to what
we regarded as the worst consequence Of the
acquisition of Cuba, viz; the activity which il
must give to toe slave trade from Virginia and
other States to that island. But this cannot
take place until the value of slaves there il