Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-05-31

II p
principles we are SAFE and the system may be grad
ually perfected 81
The principles Of the old system are wrong, and
we can expect nothing good while it remains and to
its abolition the best energies Of free and inteli
gent people ought to be directed. T.
THE FUTURE OF CUBA IN AN ENGLISH POINT
/ OF VIEW.
From The Brighton Herald, March Z.
| On Wednesday evening, J. C. DOdson, ESQ., the
candidate for Parliament Of East SUSSEX fulfilled an
engagement which he had entered into some months
previously to deliver lecture before the members Of
| the Brighton Athe@um, at the Town Hall, which
was crowded. The subject Of the lecture was Cuba,
and it was very excellent one, comprising great
variety Of facts and opinions the result Of Mr. bod.
sons residence in that island. In the course Of his
remarks Mr.. DOdson said The garrison Of Cuba is
superior in number to the regular army Of the uni
ted States. Its coasts protected BY eonsidera-
bic naval squadron. These material forces would
however, avail little in contest with America if
Americans as a nation were determined to obtain
possession of the Island But Spain has other secu
rites for her right than her own single handed
might Havana IS the ConstsntinOple Of the West
Its unriyalled harbor the Golden Horn Of the New
World. Cuba, like Turkey, in the hands Of third
rate poweris equally open to the commerce al ma
tons and affords cause Of jealousy to none In
dabe stronghold, from which thelbertes and rights
of nations might at any time be threatened. As
America grows in consequence, increased faeili-
ties of communication bring her into closer contact
with the nations Of the Old World, the balance Of
power may become as important a question on one
side of the Atlantic the other. The maritime
and commercial States Of Europe will object to the
monopoly by a monster republic Of the command Of
the West Indian seas and the key Of the Gulf
Stream justly to the seizure Of the Dardanes,
andthe appropriation Of the Euxine by giant en-
pire There are, however, differences in the two
cases which it is to be hoped this country will not
hastily lose sight Of With Russia the primary OBJ
ject in acquiring territory is to strengthen her mill
tary power: the increase Of her wealth is only the
secondary consideration. The reverse is the case
with the United States. If Cuba were annexed, its
pro eUsnsss and is trade 1gouId be more dsVeoped IN
fUe or sir years under the influence Of American aeUi-
, than in ten times many years Of Spanish torpoT
and aisrUte In pOliteO-economical point of view,
the world and England especially would be gamers
But however much England land the name applies
though in less degree, to France and other great
Powers might gain in wealth, she would lose far
more in respect Of position and prestige The pos
session of Cuba would add enormously to the inhu-
ence and strength Of the United States and would
hasten the day, which already seems fast approach
ing when they viii become the first Power il the
world. Yet it scarcely, under any circumstances
will be worth England's while to plunge into war
from adding Cuba to its dominions. Even if sue
cessful in the immediate object Of the war, she
would nict as great injury on herself as on her ri
val In the natural course Of things, America must
become sooner or later far greater empire than the
mother country The Americans have all the uual-
tiles that have made US what are, with one hun
bred and fifty times our natiOnalresources and their
spirit of enterprise is accordingly quiekened and
stimulated. The most desirable event for England
would be such peaceable dissolution of the Union
as should leave two or more prosperous and indie
pendent powers capable Of holding the balance to
each other. Such dissolution would probably be
rather promoted by the addition Of Cuba to the
public; such dissolution would probably be re-
tarded BY the attempt Of any foreign State to bring
it about. That a separation will some day take
place many thinking Americans believe; the time,
however, of it, is perhaps more remote than people
in Europe are willing to imagine.
Mr. Dodson adverted to the various ways in which
Cuba might fall into the hands of America and con-
cuded in these words; There is yet another mode
-one neither of conquest nor of voluntary annexa-
tion-by which Cuba may pass into the hands Of the
citizens Of the Union The great American business
firms may find it profitable to invest capital in the
purchase Of sugar or tobacco estate, and naughty
Spain may give up for gold what it will not yield to
bullying It is true that she has hitherto rejected
the offer with scorn, yet such course is not with
out modern precedents. Spain herself has already
parted with Florida, to be released from debt and
countrymen at the rate of about ESQ head. The
Americans profess dread the cOntagion Of liberty
and declare that the proximity of free blacks is to
be avoided as the plague Of the model republic. A
most humliatng confession if true yet what is the
remedy proposed by themselves for this danger .
The security of the United States according to these
views is to be found in advancing their frontier and
placing themselves nearer TO Hayti, Jamaica and
other free islands, than they now are to Cuba. The
minister no doubt feels that America can afford to
bide her time and let the Spanisrds play her game
for her. There is little cause TO fear that Spain WILL
by doing justice to her white colOnists and oonfer
ing the rights of freemen her cOlOred subjects,
secure to herself the possession Of Cuba. The
chances are much rather, that she viii drive
both parties into open revolt. Spain may also give
the United States such provocatiOn as to afford sub
stantial ground for war. If not, the folly and
psrversity of Spanish officials viii continue the
cession Of vexatious offences they perpetually
giving the American citizens, until the accumulation
IS sufficient to Justly entitle the republic to demand
proportiOnate indemnity. When Castillian stub
bornness shall have refused that then the object of
her enemy will be attained, and Cuba, seized as a
s'nateriai guarantee will pass away forever from
the dominion of the mother country. Loud and |
protracted cheering.
The Mayor proposed a vote Of thanks to Mr.. bod |
son. for his very interesting lecture, which most
cordially responded to.