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


course, on the part IF the Cabinet after the
late strong "war talk" Of the Union news
paper may seem sadly inconsiderate and con.
elusive but upon a moments reflection We
are not surprised at Il, aud are perfectly re-
conciled 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 Mt the present time, when
European policy and diplomacy are seeming
1y on the point Of triumph there, to the
great and permanent detriment of the United
Dtates, will bring MS about rs near to the
purchase Of it as did the boys offer Of
dime for the pig bring him nenr to the nc.
QUESTION of a fine porker; t. If the man had
only said yes" If European cabinets were
governed by the same interests rs are our
own; if the nations Of Europe were as 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. .....s
There is, however, another reason why
We should not be surprised to learn that the
offer Of $l0o,0oo,0O0 for Cuba had been re-
newed, and even invited The wai between
Eastern and Western Europe has but just
begun. and in contemplating the possible
complications that may ensue, it may be
that the Western powers begin to consider
that an active war with the first dcspotism
Cf the East, and moral war with tho frat
Republic ofthe West, are more than it would
be prudent for them to undertake, at one
and the same time.
We deem this, however, but mere pos.
sibility; for we arc more inclined to the sup
position that they entertain the hopc Of clos.
ing the moral war with Us, by the fin,l
emancipation Of the slaves in Cuba before
the FIRST campaign in Eastern Europe is end
ed. And they are fully convinced, as is ev-
cry thinking man in this country, that such
an event would entail upon us struggle
with the negro communities upon 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, and relieve them from
any fear OF irritation on our part, at what
ever course they might deem proper 10
adopt Ia their European contest Even if
this result WIRE not attained they know that
the abolition Of slavery in Cuba would sus-
cltats questions IN this countr, that would
keep our attention pretty well occupied with
affairs at home.
Under these circumstances wo deem Il
prudent to consider the idea Of the possibi,i-
~ Of purchasing Cuba; and, living as we
do, iR the far South. we shall proceed with
some suggestions which occur to us there
on.
II il, we bclicve, well established prin-
riple of international law, that change Of
sovereignty does not affect in any way the
tights Of property, nor the established codes
and institutions Of the country, whose SOW
ereignty is transferred. And, ii we are not
mistaken, the decisions Of our own Supreme
Court have fully re, ognizcd this principle.
A transfer Of Cuba to us by purchase would
not therefore change the statutes and social
installations of that country. These truths
being admitted, as we suppose they will be
by all, W. 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 the follow
in clause!
Art. l. II shall be lawful for tho term Of
two years from this day to introduce free of
duty, Spanish, Indinns, 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 deeroe.
Art. 4. Sec. 8. Masters shall have the
right to distribute the laborers in such man.
hcr as may suit their interests, but with the
condition Of not exacting more than fifteen
hours daily labor.
Art. 81. Masters shah be at liberty to ap-
ply TO laborcrs only thu following punish
ments, viz: stocks, chains, and imprisonment
from one 70 thirty days.
Does the Federal Government, in assum.
ing the rights ard duties Of tho sovereign
obligate itselfto carry out the following
pledges contained in the decree Of Captain
General Pezuela, of the 81 OF May lasti
The time has now come when the lifo Of
The Creole bondmen should be made more
sweet to him than is that Of him who, uu-
der another name, labofs to excess in Eu.
rope.
All slaves not registered before the expi-
ration of thirty days from the first Of Aguss
next, shall be free.
These measures are only preparatory to
othen Of more transcrndent importance
which have been prepared, and sent to Spain
for consultation.
Does the Federal Goscsnment, 10 assum-
ing eli the rights and duties Of the sover-
sign, hold itself bound 10 continue the con-
nexioa Of church and state, which now ex-