Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-03-16

Whilst two thirds of the price of the island would
be ample for the completion of her most important
public improvements, she might, with the remaining
FORTY (million) thousands, satisfy the demands now
pressing so heavily uaon her credit and create sink
ing fund.- which would gradually relieve her from the
Overwhelming debt now paralyzing her energies:
Such is her present wretched financial condition,
that her best bonds sold upon her own Bourse at
about one-third of their par value, whilst another
class on which she pays no interest have but nomi-
nal value and are quoted at about one-slzth OF the
amount for which they were issued
Besides, these latter are held principally by British
creditors who may, from day 10 day, obtain the efec-
tive nterposton of their own Government tor the
purpose of coercing payment. lntlmatlons to that
effect have been already thrown out from high quar-
tiers, and unless some new source OF revenue shall
enable Spain to provide for such exigences, it is not
improbable that they may be realized.
Should Spain reject the present golden opportunity
for developing her resources and removing her hnan-
cial embarrassments, it may never again return.
Cuba in its palmest da VS. never yielded her Exchc-
quer after deducting the expenses of its govern
ment a clear annual income of more than million
and half of dollars These expenses have increas-
ed to u:h degree TO leave deficit chargable on
the treasury of Spain to the amount of 100000
In pecunary point of view, therefore, the Island
is an incumbrance. instead of source of profit, to
the mother country.
Under no probable circumstance can Cuba ever
yield to Spain one per cent the large amount
which the United States willing to pay for it's &C.
QUESTION.
But Spain is in imminent danger of losing Cuba
without remuneration.
Extreme oppression it is now universally admitted,
iustes any people in endeavoring to relieve them
selves from the yoke of their oppressors
The suffelngs which the corrupt, arbitrary and
unrelenting local administration necessarily entails
upon the inhabitants of Cuba, cannot fail to stlmu-
late and keep alive that spirit of resistance AMI revo-
ton against Spain which has of late years been so
often manifested In this condition of affairs, it is
vain to expect that the sympathes OF the people OF the
United States will not be warmly enlisted IN favor OF
their oppressed neighbors.
We know that the President is justly infexibe in
his determination to execute the neutrality laws, but
should the Cubans themselves rise in revolt against
the oppression which they suffer, no human power
could prevent citizens Of the United States, and lib
eral-minded men of other countries from rushing to
their assistance.
Besides the present is an age Of adventure, in
which restless and daring spirits abound in every por
ton of the world. 1t is not improbable, therefore,
that Cuba may be wrested from Spain ny successful
revolution and in that event she will not only lose
the Island, but the price which we now willing to
pay for ia price far beyond what was paid by
one people TO another for any province.
II may also be remarked that the settlement of this
vexed question by the cesson of Cuba to the United
States would forever prevent the dangerous compli-
cations between nations to which it may otherwise
give birth.
1t is certain that should the Cubans themselves Or
genize an instruction against the Spanish Govern
ment, and should other independent nations come to
the aid of Spain in the contest, no human power
could in our opinion, prevent the people and govern
ment of the United States from taking part in such
civil war, in support of their neghbors and friends
But if Spain, deaf to the voice of ner interest
and actuated by stubborn pride and false sense OF
honor, should refuse to sell Cuba 10 the United
States then the question will arise, what ought TO be
the course of the American Government under such
Gil cumstances
Self-preservation is the first law of nature with
States as we'll as with individuals All nations have
at different periods acted upon this maxim Although
it has been made the pretex for committing fragrant
injustice, in the partition of Poland and Other
similar cases which history records yet the principle
itself, though often absurd, has always been recog
nized.
The United States have never acquired a foot oil
territory except by fair purchase, as in the
of Texas upon the free and voluntary ap LEGATION OF
the people of that independent State who desired tc
blend their destinies with own.
Even acquisitions from Mexico are no excep.
ton to the rule, because although we might have
claimed them by the right of conquest in just way
yet we purchased them for what WIS then considered
BY both parties full and ample equivalent.
Our past history forbids that we should acquire the
Island of Cuba without the consent of Spain, unless
justified by the great law of self preservation. w
must in any event, preserve our own conscious rec
titude and our own self-respect.
Whilst pursuing this course, we afford to dis
regard the censures of the world, to which we hav,
been so often and so unjustly exposed
After shall have offered Spain price for Cub;
ar beyond its present value, and this have been re
fused it will then be time TO consider the question
does Cuba in the possession of Spain seriously endan
ger internal peace and the existence of our cherish
! ed Union.
| kh1 L.
tive, then by every law, human and divine, shall
be justified in wrestling it from Spain, if posses
the power. And this upon the very same principl
that would justify individual in tearing down tn
burning house of his neighbor if there was no othe
means of preventing the flames from destroying hi
own house.
Under such circumstances we ought neither t
count the cost nor regard the odds which SPAN
might enlist against US. We forbear to enter int
the question whether the present condition of the Isl
and would justify such measure. We should how
ever be recreant to duty, be unworthy of our
liant forefathers, and commit base treason against
posterty, should permit Cuba to be Africanize
and become second St. Domingo, with all it's atter
dant horrors to the white race, and suffer the flame
to extend to neighborng Shores seriously to er
denger or actually the fair fabric of our u
ion
We fear the course and current of events are "a,
, idly tending towards such catastrophe. We, how
ever, hope for the BEST though we ought certan1
, be prepared for the worst.
We forbear also 20 investigate the present cond
ton of the question at issue between the Unit,
States and Spain. long series of injuries to o.
i people have been committed in Cuba by Spani:
+ officials, and are unredressed but recently a nc
= fragrant outrage on the rights of American citize
= and the flag of the United States was perperate
- in the harbor OF Havana, under circumstance
- which, without immediate redress would have ius
;, fed resort to measures of war in vindicaton
:, national honor That outrage is not only unatone
- but the Spanish government has deliberately sar