The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1854-07-23

The Cuba Question.

Gov. P. HEBEhr-The true states
man and patriot will never hesitate to
speak the words Of soberness and
truth" though those words may at the
time being, conflict with the unani-
nous opinions and ideas Of his coun-
trYmen The present time is replete
with change and huctuation in tie
public mind Of our countrymen, and
1t is not easy to withdraw it from any
fayorite idea, that for moment over
bears all others, and fix it upon the re-
suits that may flow from the adoption
and success Of that idea. Such is now
the idea of acquiring the Island of
Cuba, by any means--revolutionary,
purchase or conquest. The simple
question of territorial gain, is all that
enters into the minds Of nine-tehths
of those who favors the measure, leav-
ing but few, very few, who think and
reason upon it in all its bearings.
Among the latter class Of our citi-
zens, | believe | may number yourself,
and it Is not with the hope or expec-
tation of changing your opinion re-
spectipg the main question Of annex
ing the Island of Cuba to the United
States, that / address this letter to
you, but simply to put together few
facts, and to PROFOUND few questions
bearing upon the subject, which ]
deem not only important, but vital.
1t is not always easy to reason from
cause to effect with any degree of
certainty, except upon questions which
alone admit of fact and figures, as the
main material of the arguments, and
this question is one of that character.
Through q long series Of years. the
planting interests Of Louisiana have
grown and expanded into an impor-
tance that overrides and governs all
others. One law after another has
been enacted, all tending to deyelope
and strengthen the sugar Interests Of
this State, whilst at the same time the
competition Of the foreign product, has
been, in manner, controlled by the
tariff fixed upon it by Congress, at
the instance of those who were, or are
most deeply interested in the home
product. BY combination Of cases,
the tariff, the increased demand, i'm.
proved machinery, and the improve
ments in the mode Of manufacture,
and the implements of agriculture,
our sugar growing planters have been
enabled, with fair seasons to make
profit upon the capital invested in
their business.
Could things remain thus, it is rea-
sonable to infer that prosperity and
wealth, would continue to flow to the
Louisiana planters. The regular an
nual Increased demand would continue,
the gradual increase in the product
would continue, and the average pay
ing prices for the article, would con
tinue, in fact the present status quo
Of our agriculture and commercial
affairs generally, would continue will,
slight variation. But the acquisition
of Cuba promises to change the entire
complexion of affairs, and introduce
a new order Of things in Louisiana.
To understand this, we need to be told
ofthe capacities Of Cuba, under new
liberal and energetic regime, of po-
litieal affairs, to produce twice, thrice,
yes twenty times the quantity Of ST.
gar which she now does, under care.
less, wasteful, barbarous system Of Ia
Dor, a system which simply takes off
what nature untaxed and unaided
produces. No one better than your.
self knows the point in the pricepf SUI
gar, which just covers the expense Of
product, all above which being profit.
Now suppose the tariff upon the
Cuban sugars be removed, the quanti-
ty Of those sugars to be doubled or
luadrupled, would not the price Of
The article necessarily falll If it fell
what point would it reach7 Would
in not go below, far below the absolute
cost price Of tho Louisiana article
Could you and your ueighbors continue
70 cultivate your lands in sugar, at arr
absolute cost? If not, can you cul-
,ivate your lands in cotton, and make
. paying cropl And again, if not,
would your slaves be to you and your
leighbors, of the same value that thew