The daily union., 1854-07-26
THE ADMINISTRATIONS AND THE CUBA QUESTION

THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE CUBA QUESTION
The character of the opposition which TIE policy of the
administration in regard to Cuba is encounterng furnishes
another illustration of the facility with which extremes
and coal see whilst 1t suggests the wisdom of that
counsel which advises avoid extremes n seeking for
safe and truthful conclusions The aboiopiss deter
mined in their hostility to the acquisition of Cuba because
of their natca opposition to slavery AT the other ex
tremc the fbusters who generally Jealous pro-
slavery men, but less determined violent in their
hostility tho acquisition of Cuba by the proposed
by the administration They assume what there is reason
suppose is rue that President Pierce is not only well
disposed towards the annexation Of Cupa, bnt, in
view of its locality and its Importance to the United
States in commercial and political point of view,
that his policy looks to its incorporation at no dis
tant day into Union. They understand that pol
icy contemplate the purchase of the island il that
can be accomplished at fair price but II purchase
cannot be successfully negotiated that upon the principle
Of sekreservaton and in accordance with the admitted
ioctrne promulgated BY Burke and acquiesced in by
British statesmen our government should abae the nui-
and remove the danger by an open and national en-
orcement of the principle To both modes Of acquisition
the libusers alike hostile and this fact raises the r-
resisbe inference that their zeal in the Of Cuban
independence not national and dsineresed but personal
and selfish They desire the Cubans revolt against
the Spanish rule and they insist that our government
ought encourage its citizens to fly to the aid of the Cubans
and enable hep by the individual assistance of the fill
busters to their Independence According to their
scheme it would be time enough 70 consider the question
of annexation after successful revolt the sland The
terms of such annexation might then be arranged greatly
the advantage of the individual interests of those who
may have contributed to the result With hem acquisition
by government is only ultimate remote and possible
consummahon-epe that might depend upon the amount
Of benefits that would to the leading spirits who
might hold the dominion the s&pd The policy
of the administration stands in direct and dsterrspeG
agonism this scheme which is characterized by oil the
ndca Of gigantic private and personal enterprise The
simple difference betyeen the policy Of the and
the scheme Of the fbusters is that the former is national
in its objects whilst the latter is individual and selfish
In this view of the case it easy to understand why the
organs of the 6ibusers bitterly denunciatory of
the administration. They had hoped that MS President
Pierce understood to regard the acquisition Of Cuba
in favorable light, he might be expected to shut his
eyes and his conscience TO the requirements of
the laws and the obligations Of his official OATH and
allow them to organize their expeditions and sail for
Cuba without hinderance opposition. Upon that
expectation the scheme is of the most gigantic
individual enterprises that have been conceived
An island for which government would probably give
hundred millions of dollars is the prize which few
thousand of adventurous citizens led by few daring
spirits could conquer in few months If the expedition
could only receive the implied encouragement OF gov
But unfortunately for the bright hopes of these
bold advenurers the administration has taken the ground
that the laws of the land denounce such expeditions
criminal and the President has taken oath to take
care that these laws be faithfully executed and acknow
edges the obligations of such oah the buster have
been greatly Disappointed in the realization of their visions
of ambition and wealth. ana nov seek consolation in the
revenge which they enjoy p de1oupcpg and malgn
ing the administration.
We have before specimen of the frantic ndig
nation with which of the organs of the fbusters
sails the administraton-we aude TO article in late
number of the New Orleans Delta which is repete with
folly and magnity II repudates the policy of purchas
ing Cuba wholly mpraceqble and after having proved
its position by the authority of letter of one of the
correspondents Of the Baltimore Sum- and by an opinion
expressed by Mr. Soule many years ago in the Senate the
Delta proceeds 10 say;
"what ground, then has the administration for the hope