Washington sentinel., 1855-03-13

trict Convention for reelection to Congress
from the district which he has twice repre-.
sented in the House of Representatives.
CUBA AND OUR RELATIONS WITH
SPAIN.
We have laid before our readers the most
important papers thus far made public, touch.
ing our entanglements with Spain. We have
considered those papers attentvely, and we have
endeavored to understand the cotemporaneous
events. As the result of our efforts in that
behalf, we have arrived at the conclusion that
the citizens of the United States must make
up their minds to submit to great mortifca.
tions, or to witness actual open war within the
next eighteen months.
The position of Cuba makes it. most de-
sirable acquisition. The manner in which it
is governed makes it most annoying to us.
The probabilities of its future destinies make
its ownership by us matter of prime neces-
sity. Cuba is within sight Of our shores, and
its people are borne down by the most unrelent-
ing despotism. These things, however, would
x
United States. But when we consider that
much of our commerce passes along the coasts
of that Island-that the despotic principles
which prevail there frequently assails our citi-
zsns, and that distant and unfriendly monar-
chies have established dangerous influence
there, no cool, calculating man can fail to ad
NIT that vital interests demand that We should
take the most vigorous measures to obtain the
Queen of the Antilles.
This is no new thing. 1t has been apparent
years ago. The late Wing Administration dis
countenanced all idea of the acquisition OF
Cuba in any manner or in any form. But the
progressive ideas promulgated in the Inaugural
Address of the present Chief Magistrate, created
the belief in all quarters of the country, that
every exertion would be made to bring Cuba
within the jurisdiction of the United States.
Since that Inaugural Address was delivered,
the necessity of the acquisition of the Island
has become more apparent than it ever was.
Our commerce has been more vindictiyely ha
rassed by the Spanish officials, whilst less dis
position has been shown to make atonement
for the wrongs and injuries which those off,
cials have inflicted. fhe gradual Africaniza.
ton of the island has become more apparent
every day, and scarcely month has passed
without some decree which effects us most
seriously. And above and beyond all this, we
see more distinctly, the longer we look, the full
designs of England and France, which have
their base Of operations at Havana.
We are sorry, therefore, that the Admins
tration ever relaxed, or even appeared to relax,
from the determination to reqnire full indem-
nifty for all the injuries which Cuban officials have
inflicted upon us, and to demand satisfactory
security that those injuries would not be re
peated in the shape OF remodeling OF the
government OF the Island and an abnegetion Of
English and French control. If these things
had not been done, then the Administration coulo
have presented Its ultimatum-a purchase OF
the Island at liberal price, and, failing that,
war and conquest-war in selfdefense, and
conquest in selfdefense.
As il is, we have done all that we could do to
irritate the pride of Spain-and then we have
stopped short. We have embittered an enemy
by our demands, and we have given courage
to that enemy by shrinking from enforcing
those demands. Had the recommendations OF
the Osteud conference been sustained-fully and
cordially sustained-all might have been calm
and smooth. But the principles Of that con.
ference were not sustained and the fact that
the conference originated where it did, rankles
as thorn in the side Of Spain, and the publ
cations connected with it are as gall and worm
wood to the palate OF Spanish authority, at the
same time, most unfortunately, there is no show
Of that force and resolution which would coun.
teract these hostile influences.
1t is not difficult, we think, TO prophecy the
result. Spain will not only refuse indemnity
for former aggressions, but will commit az
gressions in future in a bolder and more oHen-
sive spirit. Demands for redress will be met
by more naughty and insulting replies; so
that after nine months are wasted in useless
negotiations, Congress will meet in December
next with peace or war with Spain pressing
upon il for immediate decision. We see no
hope Of purchasing Cuba nos. We see no
opening for peaceful adjustment Of our diff
culties with Spain. We see no prospect Of
mitigating any Of the evils which are likely to
flow from the near neighborhood Of Cuba.
On the other hand, we see that Spain will
annoy us more than ever under the belief that
we will shrink from her power and from the
power Of her allies, and that she will refuse
frmer than ever to sell US Cuba--thus making
it more imperative that we acquire the island
in selfdefense. Viewing the matter in this
light, we regard an early war with Spain as
almost inevitable.