The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-01

ness OF labor and the lower value Of land there The
their value 81 100 and the value Of land Is we'll
SHOWN @ be far le than here In these great items consists
almost the estire advantage which the planter Of Cuba
sses over hm of Louisiana In other he abors
asr yaAages for instance, the cost Of his supplies
greater from has greater distance from their place Of
The hr, great result Of the establishment Of free gov
ernment in Cuba Of its admission into this eonfederaoy
would be the immediate cessation Of the African slave trade
and the appreciation in value of the slaves there
upon the cutting of this source Of cheap supply Next in
the scale OF economic results attending the admission o Ceba
70 the Union would be the equalization OF the value of slaves
lhey eeud not remain At an average value OF $500 there
while they bore that Of 81 200 in louisiana and freedom Of
Intercourse between the two countries existed Such
equalization in the value Of labor in this country and in Cubs
would contribute in great degree equalization Of the
cost Of production of sugar In each increasing In Cuba and
diminishing in louisiana in the proportion of its e
iects upon the value OF labor, respectively.
The increase in the cost Of production of this staple in
Cuba would afford far permanent and efficient protec
mpost up0a sugar WHILE long Cuba enabled pro-
ducet at less cost than Louisiana and the desire in the North
obtain cheap sugar exists abe danger the plant
ing interest in this country will only remain but eonnue
to increase"
Such Mr. Chairman are the well-dgested views OF cit
zen Of Louisiana long resident Of Cuba familiar with
the subject in all it bearings and should suppose
keenly alive to all that affect the prosperity and inter
ess of his native Stale the gentleman from South Caro-
lima.
But sir so far from parayzng or even injurously af
fecng the sugargrowng interests Of Louisiana think
demonstrate that the admission of Cuba into nion
will prove the best and perhaps the only measure that
that State and promote the permanent welfare of its
planting interests.
We have had Official information that the Spanish gov
ernmen instgated beyond all rational doubt by British
diplomacy have during the past few years been devisng
every imaginable scheme increase the supply of labor in
the island of Cuba every hazard European Indian, and
Asatic laborers have from time to time been introduced
that end and the authorities of the island have Of
cally declared that il The planters of the island will
tain them in the measure, they win introduce in year
hundred thousand negroes who shall he apprenticed
out the wants of the planters may require for series of
years and al prices merely nominal In the mean time
encouragement given to the slave trades and here
would take occasion to thank the honorable gentleman
for his admission that Notwithstanding the treaty of 1917
between England and Spain, Africans in numbers
have been imported into Cuba. Yes sir they have been
imported into Cuba they at this day imported, and
they will continue to be importedfor it is the secret and
settled policy Of Spain TO cheaper labor in Cuba much
possibeun that Providence which watches over the
destnies of and of nations shall nerpose the stars
and stripes Of our Union to put stop to this nearons
traffic
But to return Let suppose this policy be
full and the cost Of labor be reduced by il $500 per
hand land this is the ultmum fixed upon by the Spanish
officials in Cuba what protection will thirty per cent the
present duty sugar under the tariff act of 1896 afford
the Louisiana planter against the almost cosess sugar of
Cuba? The writer whose able reflections this subject
have cited Justly and truly remarks that under such
condition of things ve years of such competition would
suffice ruin every sugar-planter in the State OF Loui
sianan @They woddn he continues follow the coffee
planters of Cuba in poverty to the grave The gentleman
from South Carolina may therefore dismiss all fears as
III
heart he has the welfare and interest
of that State he will have better opportunity than
convince the world of that fact Let him lend his
powerful influence and exert ais superior talents in faca
ting in every honorable way the acquisition Of Cuba and
annexing il to this Union and he will contribute in making
his country the great sugar market of the world Lous-
and Cuba neighhoring and sister States encour-
aging and stimulating each other in the arts of
and industrial progress and both fulfilling their high des
tiny of the brightest stars in galaxy of States
There portion Of the speech of the gentleman
from South Carolina to which, must confess listened
with mingled emotions OF surprise and regret ! cannot
believe that the gentleman designed to reflect upon our
government because it has been compelled in sedeence
10 adopt retaatoy policy with respect 10 Spanish
sells entering the ports of the United States But the lam
guage used by the honorable gentleman admits, in my
humble opinion, of other construction quote from
the speech printed in the Globe of this city In refer
ring the and discriminating regulations which
prevail in Cuba against the of the United States
the gentleman holds the following language:
sUnder the influence of our acts 1882 and 1884 the
ports into Cuba in Spanish vessels from the United States
amounted in Is49 only S 000 whereas the imports from
England for the period in Spanish vessels amounted to
81 345 300 That this striking difference is mainly atrbu
table regulations is obvious from the fact that
England stands favored footing in reference to
the commercial regulations of Cuba than the United States
except her freedom from our own enactments
Here It's distinctly charged that the determinations and
restrictions with which has so long been
fetteed in Cuban ports attributable to our own regua-
tions Surely if this assertion be borne out by facts
our government must have been strangely infatuated if
not culpaby reckless in adopting line OF policy so disas
trous the commercial interests of the whole country and
particularly of the South.
But let us examine this question What, would ask
the gentleman from South Carolina the condition of
our commercial relations with Spain and her colonies prior
10 1892? Were vessels virtually driven from their
ports by unjust and prohibitory discriminating duties
the gentleman South Carolina will take the trouble
examine the documents file in this House he
win find that such the case; and would especially
refer him to Hous document No 163, Twenty-seyenth
Congress second session This document viii inform him
that regulations, far from being aggressive
were forced upon government measure OF sede
fence and proved be the Of compelling Spain TO
abolish her prohbtory policy respects the nited States
ON page Of this document the gentleman viii hnd that
there is wide difference of opinion between himself and
the Department Of State from which that document ema
mated with respect both the policy and effect OF these
regulations If the gentleman should not be able TO put
his hands this document win quote few lines from
1t for his especial benefit;
The tonnage duties upon vessel. Of the United States
formerly enormous 1884, under the action of
tervaling duties, reduced FIVE cents tonthe same
which Spanish vessels pay in ports OF the United States
And page twenty he will find another illustration
Of this policy IL Justification OF measures more
rigorous than those adopted by government in 1882
and 1884:
One important restriction is imposed vessels OF the
United States to which English French and Danish vessels
subject OF United States vessels
permitted their manests, should the
cargo actually exceed from chance, the
national sense but injurious TO the interest OF the
chant any in e cargo the manifest from what
arising, being liable to con6scstion."
A. under such circumstances thesc--and have adj
verted bat Of the restrictions placed upon
merce by the Spanish Congress should have
deemed TO It's duty devise for the pro-
lection Of our merchants from punder and hag from
a. .rt AZ Ag1r lsuafb zmpHf