Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-04-20

We do not believe that the nation generally
has any special desire to possess Cuba at all.
There is no sound reason why 1t should be
wished for The statement that it is dan
gerous to the United States to have Cuba In
the possession of another nation, and more ,
especially SO if France and England are will .
ing to help keep it there, is nonsense. 1t ~
no more necessary to get Cuba on the score
of self preservation than it is to get all the
land which lies next to us. We IRE in no
more danger from Cuba than from Halifax,
and no statesman really believes in any
danger to the United States from either. The
The United States now possess four times
the territory which they did sixty years ago,
and the private and public virtue OF the ma
ton has not been improved in the profess of
its growth. An addition Of Cuba would only
make what is now bad, worse still. The ac-
cession of Texas, which the Nation did not
want, though southern politicians and spccu-
lators did, had that effect The war with
Mexico was never wished for nor expected by
the nation at large. 1t was made for wicked
ends by corrupt men in power who had the
| patronage and treasure Of the nation at their
control. If a war is made with Spain now,
it will have like origin, and no other.
The nation does not wish to tug Cuba Tor a
hundred and twenty millions of dollars, nor
for any sum, Its possession in any way would
only serve to swell tho already monstrous
power Of the exccutive,-to add to the bur
thcns on the treasury. to foster political cor
ruption, already SO rife at Washington
to vitiatc still more deeply the moral scnti-
mcnt Of the nation and to add to the Slave
power in Congress. 1t is SIaruy, DO il re-
membcred, that gives Cuba its value in the
eyes of President Pierce and his Southern
masters. If it was free territory. or would
make free State if acquired, they woul,
not give us many cents Tor it as they nov
offer millions.
No doubt if war should be begun, th'
party adherents of the Administration woul,
everywhere come out in its favor. They di,
SO when Mr.. Polk got up war with Mexico
Their maxim is that their administration cal
} do no wrong. In practice they are ultr,
! monarchists, whatever fancy maine they ma,
give to their creed The money and patron
age Of the government has been applied t.
make all our wars popular, and it would b
50 applied in the present case without stint
But will there be q war, We doubt it; bu
that will be just as the chief rulers at Wash
ington please. 1t is easy to get up a trb
where it is wished for. An over h.nr,n,
powerful man who makes no secret of In
desire to ruin an obstinate, irritable neigh
Dor, and is constantly boasting how easily h
can use him up if he can once be got into
quarrel, rarely finds difficulty in bringing on
on. \ strong rowdy intent upon picking
quarrel with u weaker lad by plying him wit
taunts and sneers, by threa ten ing to poun
him within an inch Of his life if he does bu
touch his chullenger's toe or darcs to knock
chip from his shoulder, often provokes an ul
for which he begins an assault, and pretend
to be justified in all the outrage which l.
then commits on the weaker party. BULL,
may cheer him on, and applaud his conduc
= but honest men look upon him as an abusiy
scoundrel.