The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-07-08

of patriotic eloquence to a large number OF
demagogues, whose parsimonious declara-
tions are but the echo OF the sentiments of
their constituents There are scores of men
in Congress ready for war to acquire Cuba,
who would not dare to vote money enough
to fit out a squadron capable of coping with
the Spanish naval force on the coasts of the
Island. 1t is worse than folly to entertain
the idea Of intimidating Spain into parting
with Cuba until we are prepared to augment
our navy fourfold. This could not be done
i'll three or four years-in fact, it could never
be done in time of peace, for the public
would not consent that their money should
be so expended unless for the defence of our
coasts or commerce.
All the talk about obtaining Cuba is tri-
fling and nonsense. And If the Southern
hotspurs do not,intend breaking out of the
Union until they can take that Island with
them, we shall have their company for many
long year to come. We cannot buy Cuba,
for two sufficient reasons:
lst, Spain will not consent to sell and
ID The Senate would never sanction a
treaty providing for the purchase, at the
enormous price named as likely to be offered
bv the Executive. We say nothing about
the utter impossibility of the House of Rep
resentatives ever appropriating two or three
hundred millions of dollars, for any purpose
whatever-as such a work of folly will never
be demanded of that body.
If there is any reader green enough to sup
pose that this nation can be rushed into a.
war for its acquisition, let him ponder the
following letter, and then say what he thinks
would be the result of such a struggle:
WASHINGTON. Monday, June II.
From time to time, designs have been
imputed to Louis Napoleon, in relation to
Northern Spanish America, including Cuba,
and even in regard to Spain herself.
Designs he is supposed to have cherished, in
regard to Central America, before the revo-
luton which gave him footing in France,
and hence his investigations and movements.
relative to communication between the
Atlantic and Pacific, by way of some one
of the Isthmuses Of Central America 1t
has been mentioned here lately, by Lord Ell
gin. that when he (Lord E.) was Governor
Of Jamaica, Louis Napoleon was engaged in Il
some political intrigues with Central Amer
lean leaders. When Mr.. j. l.. Kerr was.
our Minister in Nicaragua, about three years
ago. he was informed, distinctly, by the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of that State,
that as England denied to Nicaragua her
rights, and as the United States would not
protect her from British interference, she
would throw herself upon the protection of
Louis Napoleon, and would find in him ample
defence and protection.
Then, again, some persons have imagined
that Napoleon also proposes to constitute
himself one of the heirs of the sick Republic
of Mexico, and upon its expected decease,
to take possession of some of its most i'm
portant ports and contiguous districts. He
wants some region productive in precious
metals, as colony, to be on a par with Eng
land in all respects. He W ishes employment
for his Navy, and to build up commercial
marine as its basis. Therefore it is that he
has so much encouraged and improved the
French fisheries Then, again, in following
the footsteps of his uncle, he intends to
make himself master of the decaying Span
lsh monarchy, and as preliminary to this,
he may, it is supposed, become the protector
of Cuba, on certain terms. He contem-
plates, no doubt, quarrel with England, at
suitable time, and, after having brought
England into strait with Russia, he will
leave her in the lurch, and pursue his de-
signs for the possession of Spain and her
colonies.
During the administration of Mr.. Fill |
more, incidents occurred, which showed
diSnOSitiOn on the mart of the French GOV