Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-04-18

simply to enlarge the of slave territory, but as
between the interests of Cuba and the United States
I because the geographical commercially MORAL and
political relations such to render It's annexa
ton, sooner later, essential to the integrity and
security of our Union. The question, then, comes
up-if such has been the American sentiment for
thirty years. and if during all that time, it has been
in our power to obtain the island by the exercise OF
physical force, and the fllbusters and land
stealers which we understood to be in Europe,
why have not long since gratiied our passion for
more territory by annexing Cuba? Under similar
circumstances neither England nor Frrnce would have
failed either to make pretext for the acquisition
they would have taken the island without pretext,
and upon the great principle of necessity and self
preservation. Yet England and France call filli
busters and and-stealers, and they have organs in
our own country who reiterate the calumny.
1t is not to be forgotten that the Spanish author-
ties in Cuba have given to repeated causesf
ting to such measures of redress would certainly
have resulted in the annexation of the island. The
archives of the Spanish government at Madrid are
now full of the complaints made by for agrees
sons upon the rights of citizens, insults to our
national flag, and gross indignites to national
honor, which yet remain unsettled, and which have
been the standing subjects of diplomatic discussion
for many years With spirit of patient forbear-
ance and long suffering which might we'll authorize
us to claim the virtue of Christian humility, we have
argued and negotiated from year to year, have sub
mitted to have our Just demands evaded, and de-
feated by series of presentations and procrastina
tons which add nothing to the character of Spain
justce-loving nation and nothing to character
nation disposed to exactthe redress of its wrongs
by resort to force. For all our forbearance and pa
tience we have been repaid by the persistent charge
that our anxiety for more territory regards con-
sideratons of justice or law.
The case is even stronger than we have stated it.
We have not been content to be put off year after
year by the evasions of Spanish diplomacy, but our
government has constantly kept in force the most
stringent laws against illegal military organizations,
and has faithfully and successfully enforced those
laws-thereby actually guarantying to Spain the
possession of an island which charged with
being determined to have, right wrong. If
policy in regard to Cuba had been adopted and
ried out for the express purpose of proving to the
world that the charge of fbusterism is unfounded,
it could not have been more appropriate for the OBJ
ject in view. From the beginning, and during more
than thirty years, have held language to
Span-and that was, that long she retained the
actual dominion in Cuba were content to see her
possession continue; and our whole conduct has
shown that this language spoken in earnest. At
the same time we have not concealed from Spain or
from the other powers of Europe, that Spain
the only European government which we would ever
consent to see in possession of Cuba After thirty
years of fidelity in keeping our word. and in piling
up evidences of our justice and forbearance towards
Spain, and in standing guard for the protection of
her property, the charge of llibusterism against
is just as rife 1t spriL gs up, and is urged
with reckless disregard of truth, under crcumstan-
OF renewed aggression and insult the part of
Spanish officers which call for decisive of
redress. 1t is held up bugbear to frighten our
government from the adoption of an energetic and
show our Difference to European opinion; it is now
time to go forward for the redress of injuries and
insults. without regard to the calumnies of foreign
domestic enemies. Wash. Union.
THE LAST KNOW NOTHING TR1UMPu.-Patiently
and quietly have we waited to the comments of
the Wing and other Know Nothing papers of the
South upon the recent triumph of their party in Con-
necticut.
Five days ago the telegraph announced that the !
Democracy had been defeated in that State and that
one other victory had been added to the long roll of
Northern Know Nothing successes. No syllable has |
fallen from them. A gloomy, taciturn silence broods
over their columns. Why this silence? Why deny |
your readers the opportunity of knowing about the
lies? Where are your shouts of victory, your notes
of rejoicing?
The answer is plain, you dare not 50 insult the
Southern people as to boast of this triumph. The
as Legislature of Connecticut signalized itself be-
yond all Legislatures that have met, by its vii
est illegal and monstrous opposition to the fugitive
slave law the Nebraska bill, and Southern rights,
md shocked the country bya formal notification of
members went to their homes and fomented among
heir constituency spirit of determined hostility to
slavery, which has parallel, even in the history
If Northern outrages Such was the state of affairs
hen, and such is it to-day.
That we may not be charged with msrepresent-
ng their position, we give, from the Wing central
ryan of Connecticut, the Hartford Courant the
olowing extract:
The election is of Importance as a vindication of
he stand which Connecticut took last spring, the
Nebraska question. If the State recede from the
old and manly position it then took, it will be con-
idered as triumph by the pro-slavery party, and
re heralded as such by every Administration press
n the country The same friends of freedom who
ose in mass last year, to express their adherence
f the Nebraska outrage, and their determination to
esst the extension of slavery, needed this Spring
preserve the position they then assumed. The
Democratic party have openly enlisted themselves s
the side Of slavery To support it in the terrific
les is their object 10 oppose its extension requires
nc same effort in 1855 that it did in 1854. Let no
ian, who values the progress of freedom in the land
oe for the party whose interests and nclinatons are
II on the side of the nations curse. The election
len, is OF Importance continued manifestation .
the fixed opinions of Connecticut on the univer-
Il reign of Freedom.
I" All the candidates for Congress in this State
ominated by the Know Nothing party, zoe knooo are
ght upon the Nebraska inquity, the non-extension
slavery, the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law, and
he support of Temperance. All the candidates of
lie Democrats are k'Oao to be followers of the Ad-
Illustration, and to favor its pro-slavery tendencies
he Wing party, By itself, is in minority 1t seems
us the duty of the Wings is plain. They obtain
lie measure for which they commended, though not
lie men they would have nominated had there been
D third party"
Thus the Abolitionists of Connecticut under the
anne of Know Nothings, threw down the gage to
lelr opponents, and calamity did the noble democ-
ICY OF the State take it up. Fairly, openly and
nequivocally, did they place themselves upon the a
isis OF Southern rights and the guarantees of the
OnStitutiOn and their coil oroipct tho;,