The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-01-02
The Position of Cuba.

we cannot but hold it as one of the. wonders OF
the world. And then its contrast with the
mother country: the one teemins with the
riches of successful industry, peaceful under q
rule almost despotic, not only meeting The exl
gencies of a costly colonial government, but
pouring millions Of money yearly into the Roy:
al Treasury ;-the other decayed overwhelmed
with debt, eaten with vices of C"uet and coun
try, shaken with revolution, gasping for nation
al breath, and finding in its throes only the al.
ternale elevation and depression of rapac'ous
factions. No one cen hell feeling that the
bond between the colony and topol's Is q
strange, and, apparently, an unnatural one
But to all sentimental speculations on thls con-
cluson, we have the strong reply, that Cuba,
as it is, is advancing in wealth, in population,
in attractiveness; and that her population is, on
the whole, cheerful and satisfied.
Is there any revolution which we have as
surance would improve this condition! There
have been three sorts Of change in the condi
ton of Cuba anticipated and discussed: i, A
transfer to England, or France, or to some
mongrel independent government guaranteed
by both g. The emancipation of the slaves,
with the continuance OF the government OF
Spain; 8, The acquisition of the Island by the
United States.
The two first involve the same horrible re
suit: the Africanization Of Cuba, and its reduc.
ton, after series of bloody struggles, to the
condition of Hayti. Its commerce would Pc
rish rapidly and surely; its white population
would desert it; and the dark cloud Of barba-
rism would settle over the "Queen of the An
TILES" We have no need to prove this result.
Nature and time have worked out the problem
to our hands, and if we do not accept the de-
monstration, it ssimply that having eyes We
see not, and having ears hear not.
The third proposition We have on various
occasions discussed at length. Reflection has
only stregthened our conviction that the &C.
QUESTION Of Cuba would be a perilous expert
ment There is no question of the vast worth
of this Island, or that if it could glide easily
into our political condition, there would be
speedily great expansion of its industry and
wealth. But what proof have we of the posi-,
bity9 The South American and Mexican
Republics have had every trial. They have
had endless revolution in obedience to popular
iinsSuvIses, and to patriotic leaders, they have
been governed by -ssttron and by moderate and
feeble men; and the result has away been the
same,-that the public peace and the security
Of property could only be maintained by an
armed force,-tbat they would submit to no
government which could not show its title en-
graved on STEEL The Spaniards do not love
our form of government, and it is mockery to
maintain the contrary. When Florida was
acquired, nearly the whole population emigra-
ted to the so called harshly governed colonies
yet remaining to the mother country. Per-
haps the Governments were bad, but they were
their own,-they were Spanish, and not Anglo.
American. Has this feeling changed We
have no evidence Of it, but plenty of evidence
to the contrary.
Then if we hold Cuba, it will be as foreign
power-as the Austrians in ltaly-hated be-
cause we are foreign; because we are hereto;
because we are conquerors. The Government
of the United States has no trials OF such po-
sition, and no man can say what fatal inhnen.
ces it might have to attempt to maintain 1t.
But is there any pressing need of such
fearful experiment! The argument of the sap-
preaching Authorization of Cuba, is one that
all can understand. If there is danger of this,
the issue ought to be met with determination
to drive back the danger. But have we no
other resource but in destroying the Spanish
dominion9 Cuba is not only the m'st attrac-
tive, but the most valuable, of all European
Colonies. Spain has far more need of the
riches it pours into her lap than of the dignity
it adds to her crown. Spanish statesmen
know we'll that both the one and the other must
be sacrificed by emancipation. They have
every motive of honor and interest to retain
Cuba as it is. And we ought to remember,
and burn it upon our minds, that the African
zation of Cuba has been only the defiant echo
of our threat to tear the Colony, by ia means
or foul, from its lawful possessors. Fiibus-
terism is the true parent of the intimatcns OF
emancipation and barbarisatOn in this beautl.
fu Island. fits noble industry shall perish,
and this garden of delights shall become scene
of desolation, and possession of savage
hordes, it will be Cuban refugees and their
American sympathisers, who, by destroying
its value by incessant revolutionary enterprl.
ses, will be the real cause of SO deplorable
Let it be secured from these mis-
chievous outrages, and let the Government of
Spain he assured that it has in that OF the
United States true friend, not only against
these piratical invasions, but against the hos
tile urgency of European powers, and we shall
hear no more of projects of emancipation
All thinking men know that this is the simple
truth. SIX
The fact that the Spanish Government has
recently refused the pressing appeals OF the
British Minister to declare the slave trade p'-
racy, is a strong proof of their disposition to
resist the affected philanthropy of the great
apostle of international Pharisaism We ought.
to sustain them in this resistance 1T will not