The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-21
Purchase of Cuba.

talking OF tho renewal Of the offer which
has four times been made, and four times
been refused by Spain ofS 90, 900 900 for the
Island Of Cuba. To some people such q
course, on the part IF the Cabinet AFTER the
late strong "war talk" of the Union news
paper may seem sadly iuconsiderate and con-
elusive but upon a moments reflection We
are not surprised at II, and are perfectly re-
eonciled to learn at any proximate day that
Mr.. Winslow, special bearer Of dispatches
20 Madrid has sailed from New York with
the portentous offer in his pocket.
But to offer is one thing to accept Is an
other. We believe that renewal Of the Of
fer for that island at the present time, when
European policy and diplomacy are seeming
iy on the point of triumph there, to tho
great and permanent detriment of the United
sItates, will bring us about rs near to the
purchase Of it as did the boys offer Of a
dime for the pig bring him near to the nc
QUESTION Of n fino porker; . If the man had
only said yes" If European cabinets were
governed by the same interests as are our
own; If the nations Of Europe were rs well
pleased with the idea, that the admission Of
Cuba to this Union Is necessary for the per-
manent establishment of our power, as we
are; then we should incline to the belief
that there was feasible hope for such n
tran saction. Steak .
There is, however, another reason why
We should not be surprised to learn that the
offer Of $i0o, o,ooo,o 900 for Cuba had been re-
newed, aud even invited. The wa, between
Eastern aud Western Europe has but just
begun. and in contemplating the possible
complications that may cnsuc, It may be
that the Western powers begin to consider
that an active war with the first despotism
Cf the East, and moral war with tho first
Republic ofthe West, are more than 1t would
be prudent for them to undertake, ut one
and the same time.
We deem this, however, but mere pos.
sibility; for we nrc more inclined to the sup
position that they entertain the hope Of clos.
ing the moral war with Us, by the final
emancipation Of the slaves in Cuba before
;he frat campaign in Eastern Europe is end
ed. And they arc fully convinced, as is ev-
cry thinking man in this country, that such
an event would entail upon US a struggle
with the negro communities upoB our South
eru borders, resulting. perhaps, in war OF
determination against four millions Of free
blacks, that would keep Us pretty we'll oe
cupied near at home, aud relieve them from
any fear Of irritation on our part, nj what
ever course they might deem proper 10
adopt In their European contest Even Il
this resnlt WIRE not stained, they know that
the abolition Of slavery in Cuba would sus-
citate questions IN this countr, that would
keep our attention pretty well occupied with
afiairs at home.
Under these circumstances we deem Il
prudent to consider the idea Of the possib,i-
ty Of purchasing Cuba; and, living as we
do, in the far South. we shall proceed with
some suggestions which occur to us there
on.
II is, We believe, n well established prin-
riple of international law, that change OF
sovereignty does not affect in any way the
rights Of property, nor the established codes
and institutions Of the country, whose SOW
ereignty is transferred. And, IL we are not
mistaken, the decisions of our own Supreme
Court have fully recognized this principle.
a transfer Of Cuba to Us by purchase would
not therefore change the st,tutes and social
installations Of that country. These truths
being admitted, as we suppose they will be
by all, Wa would ask Of those who have the
management Of the affairs of the Republic
the following questions. Let US suppose
that Cuba has been already sold to US.
Does she come into the Union with law
upon her statute book containing thc follow
iny ciausei
Art. 1. II shall be lawful for tho term Of
two years from this day to introduce free Of
duty, Spanish, Indians, Yucatesc or Chinese
colonists. bound to labor for such term as
may be agreed on by the contracting parties,
subject to the provisions Of this decree.
Art. Z. Sec. g. Masters shall have the
right to distribute the laborers in such man.
her as may suit their interests, but with the
condition of not exacting more than fifteen
hours daily labor.
Art. 81. Masters shall be at liberty 10 ap-
ply TO iaborers only the following punish
mcnts, viz: stocks, chains, and imprisonment
from one to thirty days.
Does the Federal Government, In assum.