Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-01-31

OF Spain, Africans, in vast numbers, have been
imported into Cuba. One writer whoml have
consulted, puts down the number of these atrl-
cans, who are, called Bozal negroes, now in the
island, ut two thirds of the entire number OF
slaves. He says they abound in the rural DIS
tricts, and may be easily recognized by their
language and the marks of the tattoo. An IN
! trlligent Cuban has lately informed me that
nearly all the slaves in Cuba are Africans lmpor-
ted since 1920, and their descendants; that ull-
til recently, it WAS estimated the entire slave
population died out every ten years. Now,
wish to ask what would be the condition Of this
class, if Cuba were annexed, and they brought,
without any modification of their condition by
any supreme authority intermediate between the
Spanish Power and our own, under the Influence
of the law of our Federal Government! This
very question has already been decided upon by
our courts The Supreme Court of the United
States, in the celebrated case of the Amistad, Is
Peters, 5s3 sustaining the decision Of the circuit
court, hold that these negroes were unawfully
transported to Cuba, in violation of the laws
and treaties of Spain, and the most solemn edlcts
and declarations Of that Government. BY those
laws, and treaties, and cdicts, the African slave
trade is utterly abolished the dealing in that
| is deemed heinous crime, and the negroes
thereby introduced into the domnions of Spain
are declared to be free" If Cuba were directly
annexed from Spain, without an intermediate
state of separate independence in which new
fundamental law could be passed, great Difficult
ties might arise on this point from The efforts of
the Aboliliouists.
The next item in the population is the white
race. This is estimated at six hundred thousand,
of which 4 small portion are European Span
\ Al. nhn nj u
class, to the people of Mexico. Now, can these
people be relied upon to preserve slavery! The
country being an old settled country, there would
be, as have already said, no great tide OF emil
grafton from the South; the comparatively few
southern men who would go there, would be
counlerbalanced by an equal and adverse eml-
grafton from The North. The continuance OF
Slavery would therefore, depend on the Creoles
of Cuba. | would consider this bad security.
Slavery is never secure, where the masters are
tendency in the Spanish Creole race 10 emanc-
patton. This is owing to several causes.
lst. The quality of the two races. They as
simulate without difficulty; there is no gulf be-
tween them. The philosophy Of African slave
ry consists in the superiority of the white race (;
where this superiority is wanting, there is no
OASIS TOT the lnSll u TeSI IL
bes like n house without foundation.
3D. The tendency of the Spanish democratic
idea is to ulraism they carry liberty to The en-
treme Of anarchy.
Sd. Their inability TO govern themselves pro-
duces bloody struggles the leaders in which seek
The aid O. lie lives. Hence it has resulted, that
the Spanish American colonies, who have set up
| for themselves, though under Spain they were
slave communities, have all gone into emancipa-
tion Have we any right TO expect anything
more from the Creoles of Cuba, than the Creoes
of Central America think not.
From the rapid summary thus taken of the
population and institutions of Cuba, doubt
whether Cuba would be reliable upon The slave
ry issue. Looking at the question of annexa-
ton in all its bearings, | doubt exceedingly
whether it would be TO the interest of the South
TO annex Cuba now if it could be done without
money or blood. But no one has any idea that
Cuba can be thus easily acquired nj The present
time.
There are only three modes by which Cuba
could be acquired. viz; l. BY purchase. 2 BY
war. 8. By treaty with Cuba rs m independent
Power.
The first method is impracticabIe, because
Spain will not sell. The recent debate in the
Spanish Cortez sets that point at rest. 60
further not only Spain will not sell, but no
Spanish administration would dare 10 sell. The
announcement OF such . treaty would revolu-
tionize Spain, and the Ministry who would have
the temerity 10 sign treaty sohumlllaling to the
pride of the nation, would be torn i: ,nicces 10y
the infurated mob And hence have always
looked upon the mission Of Mr.. SouIe for this
purpose, rs sterile idea, fruillcss in itself, and
unfortunate, from his European birth, in the
agent selected. But, supposing this difficulty
overcome, the price would be 50 enormous
Sl5O,O0OOOO or S2OO,OO0O00-tha / would
not be willing TO give it. look upon the ad-
vantag, S to The South rs too prccarlous TO give
so much money, especially when see that the
necessary effect of such an expenditure, would
he to fasten i high tariff upon US indefinitely.
! There is no practical measure within the scope
of Government power, from which the South
would derive so vast q benefit, rs from the reduc.
ton Of the tariff TO the lowest revenue standard.
should be very unwilling 10 abandon this great
practical measure Of dererance 10 the South,
for the uncertain hazards Of annexation.
AS to The second mode, war, say nothing of
the shocking Injustice OF wrestling from a feeble
Power, without provocation, her most valuable
possession. have no doubt We could succeed in
this way, but ut great cost of money, and men.
The Spanish troops would make some resistance,
the climate more. cannot forget, too, thata
large portion Of the treasure expended would be
wrung from the hard earnings of the southern
people, and much Of the blood shed would be the
best blood Of the Saulh; for our system Of
taxation is unequal; and this being looked upon
as 4 southern measure, The gallant young men
of the South would volunteer with alacriIy.-
, But of al modes which could be devised Tor the
acquisition of Cuba, for the benefit of the South
war is the most fatal. For no one who has any
knowledge of the Spanish character, its pride,
obstinacy Iand revenge, can fora moment imagine
That Spain would stop at any steps TO blast the
acquisition in our hands. The policy of Spain
is obvious: she would cling 10 Cuba with the
tenacity OF dying convulsion, and when she
could hold on no longer, she would decree uni
versal emancipation. But it may be said we
would reverse this state of things in our tQrrito-
ry of Cuba. But, just at this juncturc, the peo-
| pie of the North, who have the control Of the
! Federal Government, would, by 4 unanimous
voice, bid US stay our hands; that non.interven-
ton was their doctrine; that, by the Spanish
| law, there were no slaves in Cuba. The result
would be, that the South, after all her sacrifices
would have acquired free negro colony, the
greatest curse imaginable. This result would
be very amusing to the Abolilonisls, but not 10
me- have, therefore, no idea of blindIy travel
ing road which leads nowhere but over pre-
cipce.
Another motive which makes Inc still more
determined not to 60 to war with Spain for Gu
ba, is, that we of the South are upon the eve OF
great struggle with hostile majority Of the
North, and we will need all our resources, not
to make foreign conquests, but TO defend the