New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-20
The Ger, of the Antilles

The Island of Cuba has been beautifully and appro-
priately called the Gem Of the Antilles" It is
rich and glorious island, even under the dominion OF
absolutism and would become under the benign ana
fostering influences eff government like our own,
very paradise upon earth. But, as our people are 'no
roughly posted in regard to its attractions and capacl
ties, and need no enlightenment on the SUBJECT
whatever we will say on this branch, 1urther
than to remark that thousands Of longing eyes are |
vet bent in the direction of charming Cuba and the
owners thereof gaze as though they were not altogether
destitute Of hope.
Our readers all recolect the famous Ostend Con
ference of American Ministers, in which Messrs
Pierre Soule, John Y. Mason and James Buchanan
participated, as well as the formidable manifesto
they then and there concocted and put forth to the
world. In that manitesto-the joint production OF
our distinguished Enjoys to Spain, France and Eng
land-the doctrine was powerfully enforced that the
possession OF Cuba was a necessity to the United
States, and that it must, eventually, fall into oar
hands, either by treaty, purchase or conqnest-the
latter mode being peculiarly emphasized.
We confess to rather strong liking in favor Of the
ACQUISITION Of Cuba. In fact, have been III favor
Of annexation for considerable length of time But
we desire to see it accomplished desire to see
all other measures accomplished as completely On the
square Of fair dealing as the nature Of the circumstal
ces will admit. We want Cuba and don wish to rod
Spain. Here is the whole story in brief compass.
In about two months and half Mr.. Buchanan will
be inaugurated President Of the United States As
the day approaches for his induction into office and
assumption of the rens Of government, some consld
cradle anxiety is manifested in many quarters in refer
ence to the foreign policy he will pursue, and espe
ciav as to whether he will carry out, as President
the doctrines he enforced and published in the OstenC
declaration So far as these considerations are in
volvel, we put forward plea OF ignorance in the
, premises. We are not in Mr. BIS confidence ant
e besides we think the experienced old statesman vii
e keen his own counsel very close to himself.
e Bat. whatever may be the policy OF the incoming
administration concerning Cuba, statistics in Tegart
to the delightful island are tie less interesting
Mr. John s. Thrasher in his late work on Cuba, est
mates its total population at the close Of the yea
e 1853. at .44G462 divided in the following propoi
t tions:
" wife .,fG3 20 cent.
wee ro,ored ''................. .2!4,l10 " Is
J | Slave. Vt-.'"' ~
i From the careful means taken by the author nance
10 correct very papabe errors in The census Of tn
i island for the year 1916, there is little reason to doub
the correctness of this estimate, and based upon
there still less reason for surprising the populatio
G at the close Of the present year will greatly aXGee
6 1900 900 souls
The ratio in which the island has attained its pres
q ont ror1l latiDu is thus given: