Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-08


~ the amount for which they were issued.
Resid.s these latter are held principally by Brit |
,sb creditors who may, from day 70 day, obtain the
effsonve interposition of their own Government
for the purpose Of coercing payment Intimatons
10 that effect have been already thrown out from
high quarters and, unless some new source Of
revenue shall enable Spain TO provide for such ex-
gencies, it is not improbable that they may be re-
allied.
Should Spain neglect the present golden oppor-
tunity for developing her resources and removing
her financial endorsements, It may never again
return.
Cuba in Its palmiest days never yielded her Elk
ehequer after deducting the expenses Of It's Gov
eminent, q clear annual income Of more than
million and half Of dollars. These expenses have
increased TO such degree as 70 leave deficit
chargable on the Treasury of Spain TO the amount
of six hundred thousand dollars.
In a pecuniary point OF view, therefore, the
Island 10 an incumbrance, instead OF source OF
profit, to the mother country.
Under no probable circun stances can Cuba ever
yield TO Spain one per cent. on the large amount
which the United States are willing to pay for Its
acquisition.
But Spain Is in imminent danger Of losing Cuba
without remuneration.
Extreme oppression, II is now universally admit
ted justiHes any people in endeavoring " relieve
themselves from the yoke of their oppressors.
The sufferings which the corrupt, arbitrary, and
unrelentng local administration necessarily entails
upon the Inhabitants of Cuba, cannot fail to stimu-
late and keep alive that spirit Of resistance and re-
volution against Spain which has of late years been
90 ofton manifested. In this condition OF affairs,
It 10 vain to expect that the sympathies OF the peo
pie ofthe United States will not be warmly enlisted
IN favor Of their oppressed neighbors.
We know that the President 10 justly infexible
In his determination to execute the neutrality laws,
but should the Cubano themselves rise in revolt
against the oppression which they suffer, no hu,
man power could prevent citizens of the United
States and liberal minded men OF other countries,
from rushing to their assistance
Besides, the present Is an age OF adventure, IN
which restless and daring spirits abound in every
portion Of the world. It's not improbable, there
fore, that Cuba may be wrested from Spain by q. a
successful revolution and, in that event, she viii
not only lose the island, but the price which we
are now willing to pay for it.-a price far beyond
what was ever paid by one people to another Tor
any province.
Il NAV also be remarked that the settlement OF
this vexed question by the cession OF Cuba to the
United States would forever prevent the dangerous
complications between nations to which It may oth
orwse give birth.
tia certain that should the Cubans themselves
organize an instruction against the Spanish gov
ernnent and should other independent nations
come to the aid Of Spain In the contest, no human
power could in our opinion prevent the people ana
government Of the United States from taking part
in such civil war; In support OF their neghpors anu
friends.
But il Spain, deaf TO the voice Of her own inter
.st. and sctuated by stubborn pride and false
sanse Of honor, should refuse to sell Cuba 10 the
limited States, then the question will arise, wha'
ought to be the course Of the American govern
rasnt under such circumstancess !,
Selepreservation Ia the first law OF nature witt
states az well as With individuals. All nations
Nave Al different periods acted upon this maxim
Although has been made the pretext for com
rafting aagrunt irss''- =. in the partition OF 70
land and other ssIs ea ,Snu mnen
yet the princgcog n;sed sA o''en Aouse'' naf
always ICED States have never acquired foot OF
Atory except by FAIR purchase Or as In the case
- OF Texas upon the free and voluntary application
OF the people Of that independent State, who de.
sired to blend their destnies with our own
Even our acquisitions from Mexico arc no cxcep-
tion to the rule because. although we might have
claimed them by the right Of conquest, in just
way, Yet VIC purchased them for what was then
considered BY both parties full and ample squiv-
alent
Our past history forbids that we should acquire
the island Of Cuba without the consent Of Spain,
unless justified by the great law of selfpreserva-
ton. We must, In any event. preserve our own
conscious rectitude and our own selfrespect
Whilst pursuing this course, can afford to
disregard the censures of the world to which we
After we shall have offered Spain a price for
Cuba far beyond its present value, and this shall
have been refused, it will then be time to consider
the question: Does Cuba in the possession of Spain,
s,riously endanger our internal peace and the ex-
is.ence Of our cherished Unionf
Should this question be answered In the affirma-
tvc then, by every law, human and divine, We
sail be justified in Wrestling It from Spain, If we
pJssess the power. And this upon the very same
principle that would justify an individual In tear
Ing down the burning house of his neghbor If there
we're no other means Of preventing the flames from
destroying his own home.
Under such circumstances we ought neither to
count the cost nor regard the odds which Spain
might enlist against US. We forbear to enter into
the question whether the present condition Of the
Ieand would justify such measure. We should,
however, be recreant to our duty, be unworthy Of
our gallant forefAthers and commit base treason
against our posterity, should VIC permit Cuba to be
Africanized and become second St. Domingo,
with all Its attendant horrors TO the white race and
suffer the flames to extend to our neighboring
ahores seriously to endanger actually 10 con-
sumo the fair fabric Of our Union.
We fear that the course and current Of events
are rapidly tending towards such catastrophe.
We, however, hope for the best, though we ought
certainly TO be prepared for the worst.
We forbear also to investigate the present condi-
ton OF the question at issue between the United
States and Spain. long series of Enquiries TO our
people have been committed in Cuba by Spanish
officials, and are unredressed; but recently most
fragrant outrage on the rights Of American citizens
and on the Gag Of the United States perpetrat-
ed In the harbor Of Havana, under circumstances
which, without immediate redress would have jus
tiled resort TO measures of war in vindication Of
national honor. That outrage is not only unatoned
but the Spanish government has deliberately sane
toned the acts Of ts subordinates and assumed
the responsible, attaching to them.
Nothing could more impressiyely teach IN the
danger to which those peaceful relations II has ever
been the policy of the United States 10 cherish with
foreign nations are constantly exposed, than the
circumstances Of that case,-situated as Spain and
the United States are, the latter having forborne
10 resort TO extreme measures.
But this course cannot, with due regard to their
own dignity as an independent nation, continue.