Washington sentinel., 1855-03-21
CUBA.

ingtOn. A
~ CUBA. st,t
The close neighborhood of Cuba makes it
matter Of the utmost Importance to the Uni
ted States. Our people have, for . long
time, desired the acquisition Of that island; !;
but they have refused to do anything to &C
quire it which was not fair and proper. Our
neutrality laws have been strictly enforced by
the Wings and by the Democrats; and no
countenauce has been given to illegal expedi.
tions against the Spanish authority. Had our
course been different no sane man can doubt
that Cuba would at this moment be free and
Independent.
We have kept our faith in this matter; and
our honesty has been rewarded by injustice
and outrage. In every quarter of the country
there has been, for several years. . settled and
fixed determination that whilst we would re-
spect the rights Of Spain in Cuba, We would
not permit the island to pass under any other
dominion but our own. This settled and fixed
determination did not spring from cupidity,
but it emanated from an intelligent ioea Of the
duties and obligations which the right Of self.
defense imposes on every people. Cubs, under
the control of Spain alone, could be made >
source Of annoyance tous- our commerce might
be interrupted and our citizens harassed-but
no vital blow could be stricken from there by
Spanish force Therefore our people have
been willing to see the neutrality laws enforced,
and Cuba continue possession Of Spain, un-
less it could be fairly bought by us.
But Of late the aspect Of affairs has changed
in most important particulars. No man at all
conversant with passing events, can doubt for
moment that England and France have estab-
lished q sort of CUBAN PRorEcroRATE---aimed
against the interests Of the United States and
giving to those allied nations the same power
to harm us from Cuba as if the island belonged
to them. The proposition for the tripartite con-
yention made some time ago, and the recent
activity Of British men-ofwar in transporting
Spanish troops-sailing out of Havana with
the English and Spanish flags entwined, leave
no doubt or uncertainty. tits clear-perfectlyi
clear-that CUBAN PRorrcroRArE has been
established by England and France, and that
the end, object, and purpose of the protectorate
is hostility to the United States and to the most
important interests of the people Of the United
States.
These circumstances-strength and
made more significant and alarming by the
efforts to Africanize the island and by the arm
ing and organizing Of the free negroes-has
entirely changed the scope and bearing, the
nature and character of the Cuban question.
We are no longer called upon to decide whether
we will consent that, after propositions to pur-
chase, Cuba shall remain Spanish province;
but whether we viii permit it to continue to be
an English and French Protectorate, original
ing in hostility to us, and having nothing but
hostile purposes for us. l Il f7t l,@'ro-ls
At one time our Government seemed to have
understood this matter in the light in which
we view it. These views were distinctly an
nounced to our Minister to Spain. The Black
Warrior and other matters were not TO be dis
cussed separately. All was to be settled under
the rights which knowledge Of the meaning
of an English Protectorate derived from Gem
trail America gave TO us. The ,Ostend confer
ence was suggested may, ordered-from Wash
ington; and the distinguished men who met
and conferred there, made Recommendations
in harmony with public sentiment in this couu-
try, and in accord with the principles which
the Administration had announced to them.
Under these circumstances IL Is passing
xl~t Rack ~uA
Soule, should have been abandoned, nay. repu-
dated by the Government We are not willing
TO believe that the Ostend conference was con-
cocted for the purpose Of wounding dishn.
guished men. We cannot consent to admit
that at asy time such purpose influenced the
councils of an American administration. Re-
jecting such supposition, as we are bound to
reject it, the whole matter is inexplicable. We
do not pretend to be versed in all rules Of states
manship-we do not pretend to be adopts in
the tortuous policy and cunning verbiage of
trained diplomacy We try to look things in
the face and speak of them with direct and
positive words. Having contracted these habits,
we cannot understand why the positions as
sumed at the Ostend conference were 90
promptly abandoned, disavowed and disowned
We can make due allowances for the ambition
of individuals and for the hatred and jealousies
Of politicians, and for the apprehensions and
fears Of weak men when the time of decisive
action succeeds the time Of loud boasts and
valiant expressions but whilst we understand
and appreciate these things, we are at a
loss to divine why we have succombed TO
Spain in such manner that an additional
outrage has been offered to our flag, and so
that cool, calm men are considering whether
the time has not come to resort to the "uti-
mate reason" !" Of selfdefence. The attempt TO
put the responsibility of the present condition