The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-28

blended their fortunes, that they now look upon
each other as if they were one people, and had
but one destiny.
Considerations exist which render delay in
the acquisition of this island exceedingly dan.
gerous to the United States.
The system of immigration and labor lately
organized within its limits, and the tyranny and
oppression which characterize its immediate
rulers, threaten an instruction at every mo-
ment, which may result in direful consequences
to the American people.
Cuoa has thus become to US an unceasing
DANGER, and a permanent cause of anxiety and
alarm.
But we need not enlarge on these topics 1t
can scarcely be apprehended that foreign
POWERS, In violation of international law would
interpose their influence with Spain to prevent
our acquisition of the island. It's inhabitants
are now suffering under the worst of all posi-
pie governments, that of absolute despotism,
delegated by distant Power to irresponsible
agents, who are changed at short intervals, and
VINO are tempted to improve the brief opportu-
NIFTY thus afforded to accumulate fortunes by the
basest means.
AS long as this system shall endure, human
ity may In vain demand the suppression of the
African slave trade in the island. This is rem
dered impossible whilst that infamous traffic
remains an Irresistible temptation, aud source
OF immense profit to needy and avaricious Off
Gals, who, to attain their ends scruple not to
trample the most sacred principles under foot.
The Spanish Government at home may be
well disposed, but experience has proved that
IL cannot control these remote depositaries of
its power.
Besides, the commercial nations of the world
cannot fail to perceive and appreciate the great
advantages which would result to their people
from dissolution of the forced and unnatural
conne1ion between Spain and Cuba, and the
annexation of the latter to the United States
The trade of England and France with Cuba
would, in that event, assume at once an import
ant and profitable character, and rapidly extend
with the increasing population and prosperity
of the island.
2. But if the United States and every com.
mercial nation would be benefited by this trans.
fer, the interests of Spain would also be greatly
and essentially promoted.
She cannot but see what such sum of money
as we are willing to pay for the island would
effect in the development of her vast natural
resources.
Twothirds of this sum. if employed in the
construction of system of railroads, would ul-
timately prove source of greater wealth to the
Spanish people than that opened to their vision
by Cortez. Their prosperity would date from
the ratification of the treaty of cession.
France has already constructed continuous
lines of railways from Havre, Marseilles, Valen-
ciennes, and Straasbourg, cta Paris, to the
Spanish frontier, and anxiousy awaits the day
when Spain shall find herself in condition to
extend these roads through her northern prov
inces to Madrid, Seville, Cadiz, Malaga, and the
frontiers of Portugal.
This object once accomplished, Spain would
become centre of attraction for the travelling
world, and secure permanent and profitable
market for her various productions. Her fields
under the stimulus given to industry by remu
nerating prices, would TEEN with cereal grain
and her vineyards would bring forth vastly
| increased quantity of choice wines. Spain
| would speedily become what a bountiful Provi
dence intended she should be-, one of the first
nations of Continental Europe-rich, powerful
and contented.
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 millions, satisfy the de-
mands now pressing so heavily upon her credit
and create sinking fund which would gradu
ally relieve her from the overwhelming deb
now paralyzing her energies.
Such is her present wretched financial cOndi
ton, that her best bonds are sold upon her owl
Bourse at about one-third of their par value
whilst another class, on which she pays no in
terest, have but a nominal value, and are quoted
| at about onesixth of the amount for which they
were issued. Besides, these latter are held
principally by British creditors, who may, from
day to day, obtain the effective interposition o
their own Government for the purpose of coer
cling payment. limitations to that effect hav'
been already thrown out from high quarters
and unless some new source of revenue shall
enable Spain to provide for such exigencies j
| Is not improbable that they may be realized.
Should Spain reject the present golden op
portunity for developing her resources, and re
moving her financial embarrassments, it MAJ
never again return.
Cuba, in it's palmiest days, nsyer yielder he
exchequer, after deducting the expenses of it
Government, clear annual income of NOR
than million and a half of dollars. These ex
penses have increased to such degree as t.
lsaye a deficit chargeable on the treasury o
Spain to amount of six hundred thousan,
dollars.
In pecuniary point of view, therefore, tn
island is an encumbrance, instead of sourc
of profit, to the mother country.
Under no probable circumstances can Cubs
ever yield TO Spain one per cent. on the larg
amount which the United States are willing Il
pay for its acquisition. But Spain is in immi
nent danger of losing Cuba, without remuner
alton.
Extreme oppression, it is now universally ad
mitted, justifes any people in endeavoring t.
relieve themselves from the yoke of their or
pressors. The sufferings which the corrup,
arbitrary, and unrelenting local administrator
necessarily entails upon the inhabitants of Cuba
cannot fail to stimulate and keep alive tina
spirit Of resistance and revolution against Spai
which has of late years been so often manifest
3D. In this condition of affairs, it is vain t
expect that the sympathiss Of the people Of tn
United States will not be warmly enlisted i
favor of their oppressed neighbors.
We know that the President is Justly inhex
iblo ;n bis determination to execute the neutra
ity laws; but should the Cubans themselve
rise in revolt against the oppression which the
suffer, no human power could prevent citizen
OF the . nited States and libersl-minded men @
other countries from rushing to their assistance
Besides, the present is an age Of adventure, i
which restless and daring spirits abound i
every portion of the world.
1t is not improbable, therefore, that Cub
may be wrested from Spain by successful re,
oiution; and in that event she will lose bot
the island and the price which we arg now vii
ing to pay for it-a price far beyond what wa
ever paid by one people to another for an
province.
1t may also be remarked that the settlemer
of this vexed question, by the cession of Cub
to the United States, would forever prevent til
dangerous complications between nations,
which it may otherwise give birth.
1t is certain that should the Cubans then
selves organize an instruction against tn
Spanish Government, and should other ind
pendent nations come to the aid of Spain in th
contest, 20 human power could, in our opinion
prevent the people and Government of the Tn
| "a Stotas fror, taL;no mart In such a oiyi, we