Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-01-31
Die not to interfere with the domestic institu-

of annexation belongs appropriately to the fu-
ture. say. take no step now in that direction;
wait and watch the course of events and profit
by them. do not wish to sharkle the ultimate
action of the country. When the future rolls
round, and Cuba energies independent from its
bosom. when the fruit is ripe, then let this great
question be decided under the light of all the
surrounding circumstances. might stop here,
but several Hypothetical cases must be disposed
of to manifest myself truly.
1t may be said, suppose England or France
seize Cuba, what then! There are some things
so improbable they need hardly be considered,
and this is one. After England and France
done with Russia, they will not be in mood to
disturb anybody, much less will they want to
jar on the United States But neither England
nor France want Cuba in their hands it would
be necessarily u free negro colony, and, there
fore. worthless, but if either of them should
want it, theil mutual jealousy would prevent
either from taking it. But if, in violation of all
possibility, they should make the attempt, ! say
at once | would draw the sword and drive them
into the sea.
Again. it may be said, suppose Spain refuses
TO satisfy our claims against her, what then! My
answer is direct would not mingle up these
claims with the question of Cuba. would act
towards Spain with extreme forbearance, for she
is weak and we are strong. The truest great
ness consists in great ideas. ! would exhibit
the country in this light towards Spain would
act towards her with generosity and magnanim-
ty would urge our claims in the mostfe-
speclful manner. If, after reasonable time,
they were still dsregardcd, would propose ar
bilralion. If this failed then, after assuring
myself that our claims were well founded, and
after sufficient and final notice, would send out
fleet of steamers, seize some Spanish ships,
pay tie claims and give receipt in full
But, it may be said, suppose Spain should
attempt to Afrcanize Cuba, what then! For
NV part, | am clear that our Government should
use every possible means to prevent this
would stop at nothing not even war. There is.
however. an old saying, and Il true one, that an
ounce of prevention is worth pound of cure.
| would act upon this maxim | would remove
the causes leading Spain to this course. They
are wo--the fear of our designs upon Cuba,
and the pressure of England. Let US take such
a line of conduct rs will remove the first cauSe
the Russians are removing the second cause, III
which operation our Government could cooper
ale efficiently, by encouraging Spain. That, in
my opinion, is The true line of our diplomacy.
1t is the interest Of Spain to preserve slavery in
Cuba--her interest and our policy concur. We
would be bunglers indeed, if, under such cir.
cumstanccs VIC could not produce the desired
result The policy of the South is not so much
to have more slaves, rs TO have more people in
tercsted in slavery. Spain is so interested; we
should let her continue thus.
am Glad to be able to fnriify my opinions
upon ibis subject by The authority of Mr.. Cal
huun. As late rs May, 1913, he said, in his
speech upon the proposed occupation Of iuca.
tan -
$50 long rs Cuba remains in the hands of Spain,
friendly Fower--a Power of which we have
no dread--it should continue 10 be- as it has
been, the policy of all Administrations ever
since have been connected with the Govern
ment TO let Cuba remain there"
assume what he says as m axiom. de.
duce from it corollary, that we are not to buy
Cuba, or 90 to war for it; because, if our policy
is for Cuba 10 remain with Spain, it is against
our policy to change that possession, with or
without the consent of Spain.
This di-poscs of every mode of acquisition,
except by treaty with Cuba as IN independent
Power. This is, from its very nature qucs-
tion for the future When the contingency
arises, then, and not till then, we should render
definite judgment.
Mr.. Chairman. the acquisition of Cuba will
opcn a i,%@w volume in our history. Former
acquisitions were the necessities of location, or
of circumstance. This is not. BY this step VIC
are fairly launched in the career Of conquest,
from which there is no outlet but to storm the
future. sword in hand From this career we
have nothing to hope, and everything to fear;
for our greatest success would be our greatest
disaster.
The history Of nations has been the history
of their imaeinaiions The pornp of power.
the thirst for dominion, the glare Of glory have
been the empty baubles for which they hive
exhausted their energies, and slaughtered each
other These have been The dim lights by which
poor humanity has hitherto advanced Who
can estimate the infinite misercs, the mulitu-
dinuus slaughtcrS, these barren van,ics have
entard upon the human race. The book Of
time is bloody on every pnge with the h"rrid
recital Shall we learn nothing from it? Shall
the past turn its sorrowing features upon US in
vain? Shall We be inscnsiblc to The tears and
arnnies of history? or shall we furnish another
instance of stupendous folly 10y embarkingin
the same insane career? | trust not. trust we
shall turn with aversion from the drceitful Sc
ducions of false glory. and be instructed by
the disasters Of universa! humanity.
We NAV extend our dominion over the whole
continent, our navies may ride triumphant on
every sea, our name may be the terror Of Kings.
our DEGREES the desinirs of nations. but be as
sured it will be at the price of our free insiiu-
tions. know not how it may be with others
but for my own part, would not pay this price
for all the power and all the glory that ever cus-
tered around all the banners and all the eag les
emblazoned in the pantheon Of history.
Let US turn from the line of vulgar conquer
ors to the fathers of the Republic let US learn
| from them that the truest patriotism is the pre-
scryation of our institutions, the irucst wisdom
is moderation. In short, let our history be not
the history of our Imagination, but the history
of our common sense. BY this course We may
not raunt so many statues, so many triumphal
arches, so many trophies of victory, and hound
less dominion, but we shall have what is more
glorious than these, we shall have our insilu-
tions preserved we shall have the cnnquests Of
peace; the mighty march of civilization; chris
lianity working out, unimpeded, her Divine mis-
sion; these will be our statues these our tri-
umphal arches; these the trophies of our vic
tories and they will be such as no nation before
us have ever had.
PUBLIC MEETING-At meeting of the cili-
zens of Augusta, held at the City Hall, on Tues
dsy evening, the 23d inst, for the purpose Of
taking into consideration the proprieIy of max
ing subscription to the Savannah River Valley
Railroad,
On motion, his Honor, the Mavor, was called
to the Chair, and Milo Hatch appointed Secrc-
tary.