Washington sentinel., 1854-06-27

States. The motion to refer to the Judiciary
Committee the petition from Boston for the re,
peal of the fugitive slave law was debated by
Messrs. Jones, Of Tennessee, Rockwell, Brod-
head, Sumner, Butler, Mason, and Petit.
In the House of Representatives the bill
making an appropriation of ten millions OF dol
lars for carrying into effect the Gadsden treaty,
was considered; Mr.. Benton making speech
in opposition to it, and Mr.. Bayly in reply
-&>OSs------ Z III .ga
THR. : NODES OF ACQUIRING CUBA.
Our relations with Spain have latterly given
rise to much speculation and many rumors
Those all.wise people, the letter writers, have
treated the subject in every aspect and in order
to stimulate curiosity and keep alive excite,
ment, have fabricated every kind Of rumor.
With these rumors we have nothing to do.
But in the present posture Of Cuban affairs ii
may not be arniss to make few remarks on
the subject.
Cuba, like every colony of or appendage to q
kingdom, that neither has nor expects inimedi.
ate representation, is diss atisfed with foreign
control Cuba does not love Spain or Spanish
rule. We believe that the Cubans would re-
Joice in any severance from the Spanish crown
that would give them political independence.
If Cuba belonged to England or to France, she
would be what she low is to Spain--a voiceless
colony, dumb appendage, powerless terrific
ry-giying all and receiving nothing. She
would be mere cipher. But annexed to the
United States she would have Speech repre-
sentation and power. She would be State.
Annexation won Id be beneficial both to Cuba
and to the United States.
There are three modes by which Cuba might
be acquired. One is by purchase, another by
war and conquest, and the third by that private
kind of military enterprise known as fllibus-
terism. The best, the most peaceful and the
cheapest form of acquisition would doubtless
be by purchase from Spain; and that, we
would prefer. But if Spain should prove re-
sractory, or should submit herself to the coun-
sells of England and France, those two powers
that are bitterly opposed to her acquisition by
us, then the second mode would come up for
consideration, and that, as we have said, is by
war and conquest. Now war merely and
OILY for conquest, and without justifable cause
aud sufficient pfovocation, would be manifestly
wrong, nor would this government engage in
such war. But we already have ample cause
for war. We have score of complaints. We
have suffered manifold and glaring wrongs and
insults, which yet remain unatoned for and un
satisfied. At this time we have ample and
justi6abe Cause for war. We are but waiting
for proper redress and suitable reparation. II
too long delayed, or absolutely refused, then
our voice would be for war;
The result of such war, it would not require
a prophet or the son Of a prophet to foretell
The conquest of Cuba and its annexation to this
country, would be that result That France
and England would ally themselves with Spain
to prevent it. no one at all posted in European
affairs can doubt. The royal families Of Spain
and France are closely allied, and as for Eng,
land she is known to be strongly opposed to our
acquiring Cuba by any means. The alliance
that these two commanding European powers
have formed to check the Russian Gar, and
to preserve the balance Of power in the old
countries would no doubt be attempted to be
extended to this continent, with the view Of
checking us and of regulating the balance Of
power here, in the new world. Indeed it was
but the other day that the London Post, ajour.
nal of high position and authority, came out
and announced that:
A war between Spain and the United States
at IT, present crisis Of European affairs might
end n.f ,aobably would. lead to new and most
serious complications France and England
have deliberately resolved to maintain the cause
of right against might in the old world. and
they may yet be bound to assert the same prin-
ciple in the new
Should we be f1rced into war with Spain at
this time, England and France, engaged as they
are in the great European melee, could render
but little, if any, aid TO Spain We would have
the game in our own hands. But if in the
spirit of forbearance, we should procrastinate
until the European war shall have terminated.
then those two powers could operate most effect
lively against as. They could not prevent the
Ultimate conquest of Cuba, but they could delay
it for long time, and make it a most expensive
acquisition.
The third mode is by fllibusterism. Now,
we regard fllibustering expeditions as viola
ton of the internc sional law and Of the law OF
the land 1t is the duty of the government,
whenever informed Of their existence, to check
them, and to enforce the laws against all en-
gagged in them. The President has already
discharged his duty in the premises 1t has
been but q few weeks since he issued his pro.
ciamation warning all citizens against engaging
IN such an enterprise. But when private citi
zens determine to embark in such an expedi
ton, they know the Importance Of secrecy, and
It's but natural to suppose will maintain Sc
crecy. If such an expedition should be oroan-
ized and should sail from our ports without
the knowledge or countenanee Of the oovern.
ment and such a thing is not improbable
then our skirts as a nation would be clear
Should such an expedition be well organized
aud ufficered and be saffieer,Iv ,,,ra-o.