The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-07-29
MIR. BUCHANAN ON CUBA,

Extracts from Mr. Buchanans speech in the House Of
Representatives in 1925 the Panama mission proposed
by Mr.. Adams:
"The vast importance of the island of Cuba to the peo
pie of the United States may not be generally known The
of this island is of immense value particularly
to the agricultural and navigating interests of the
try Its importance has been rapidly increasing for
Der of years. To the middle grangrowing States this
commerce is almost Indispensable The aggregate value
of goods wares merchandise the growth produce and
manufacture of the United States exported annually
that island exceeds three millions and half of dol
lars Of this amount more than the onethrd consists of
two arcles-of pork and -four The chief of the other
products of domestic origin fish, fsh-oi spermace
candles timber beef butter, and cheese, rice alowcan
dies and soap Our principal imports from that island
coffee sugar. and molasses articles which may Almost be
considered necessaries of life The whole amount of our
exports to it, foreign and domestic is nearly six millions
and imports nearly eight millions of dollars. The
cles which constitute the medium of this
both bulky and ponderous and their transportation
ploys large portion of foreign tonnage. More than
onesevenh Of the whole tonnage engaged in foreign trade
which entered the ports of the United States during the
year ending the last day Of September 1924, from
Cuba and but little less than that proportion of the
mage employed in export trade sailed for that island
Its is at present valuable to the United
States than that OF all the southern republics united How
them the American people agree that this island
shall be invaded by Colombia and Mexico and pass under
their dominion Ought we not TO avert its impending
fate If possibe2
"Imporiant the island may be to in commercial
1t is still more important political view From its po-
sltion IL commands the entrance to the Gulf both OF Mex
leo and Florida The report Of Committee OF Foreign
Relations truly says that The Moro may be regarded
fortress at the mouth Of the Mississippi Any power in
possession of this island even with small naval force
could Theoretically seal the mouth Of the Mississippi Thus
the agricultural productions Of that valley which Is
drained by the father of rivers might be deprived Of the
channel which Nature intended for their passage large
portion Of the people OF the State Of whose
tvos am, find their way 10 market by the Mississippi
For this feel particularly Interested in this part Of
the subject The great law OF preservation which Is
equally binding individuals and nations commands u.s.
II we obtain possession Of this island ourselves not
TO suffer II to pass from Spain under whose dominion II
will be harmes ana yet our government have even
protested against its Invasion by Mexico and Colombia
"Thcre Is still another view Of the subject In relation 10
this island which demands particular attention. let us
for moment look at the spectacle which II will probably
present in Mexico and Colombia should attempt 10
reyoludonze IL Have they not always marched under
the stgdard Of universal emancipation Have they not
always red by procaimng liberty to the saye2 In
the present conditions Of this island what shall be the
probable tquence1 scrye war; which in every age
spares neither age sex Revenge urged by cruelty
aud gnorapce would desolate the land. The dreadful
scenes OF ST. Domingo would again be pfssened TO our
view and would again be acted almost within sight Of
own shores Cuba would be vast magazine In the vcin-
y Of the southern States whose explosion would be dan
gsrous their tranquility and peace 1s there any man in
this Union who could for indulge the horrd idea
Of abolshng slavery by the massacre OF The hghpded
and chyarous Of men in the South trust there ia
not one For my part would without hesitation,
buckle on my knapsack and march in company with my
friend from Massachusetts, Mr. Everett in defence Of their
cause"