White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-12-30


Africa. Whilst the demand for slave
continues in Cuba, wars will be waget
among the petty and barbarous chiefs il
Africa for the purpose of seizing subjects
to supply this trade. In such condition
of affairs, it is impossible that the light
OF civilization and religion can ever pen.
citrate those dark abodes.
1t has been made known to the world
by my predecessors, that the United
States have, on several occasions, endea.
vored to acquire Cuba from Spain BY
honorable negotiation. If this were &C.
complished, the last relic of the African
slave trade would instantly Disappear
We would not, if we could, acquire Cubs
in any other manner. This is due to our
national character All the territory
which we have acquired since the origin Of
the government, has been by fair purchase
from France, Spain and Mexico, or by
the free and voluntary act of the indepen-
dent State of Texas, in blending her des-
TIMES with our own. This course we shall
ever pursue, unless circumstances should
occur, which we do not now anticipate,
rendering a departure from it clearly JUS
tihable, under the imperative and over
ruling law Of self-preServation.
The Island of Cuba, from its geograph-
ical position, commands the mouth of the
Mississippi, and the immense and annu-
ally increasing trade, foreign and coast
wise, from the valley of that noble river,
now embracing half the sovereign States of
the Union. With that island under the
dominion of distant foreign power, this
trade, of vital Importance to these States,
is exposed to the danger of being destroy
ed in time of war, and it has hitherto
been subjected to perpetual injury and
annoyance in time of peace. Our rela-
tons with Spain, which ought to be of
the most friendly character. must always
be placed in jeopardy while the existing
colonial government over the Island shall
remain in its present condition.
Whilst the possession of the Island
would be of vast importance to the Uni
ted States, its value to Spain is, COM
paratively, unimportant. Such was the
relative situation of the parties. when the
great Napoleon transferred Louisiana to
the United States. Jealous, as he ever
was, of the national honor and interests
of France, no person throughout the
world has imputed blame to him for ac-
cepting pecuniary equivalent for this
cession.
The publicity which has been given to
our former negotiations upon this subject,
and the large appropriation which may
be required to effect the purpose, render
it expedient, before making another at
tempt to renew the negotiation. that ]
should lay the whole subject before Con-
gress. This is especially necessary, as it
may become indispensable to success that
l should be entrusted with the means of
making an advance to the Spanish gov
eminent Immediately after the signing Of
the treaty, without awaiting the ratifica-
ton of it by the Senate. | am encOur-
aged to make this suggestion, by the ex-
ample of Mr.. Jefferson previous to the
purchase of Louisiana. from France, and
by that of Mr.. Polk in view of the ac
QUESTION Of territory from Mexico. /
refer the whole subject to Congress, and
commend it to their careful consideration.
l repeat the recommendation made in
my message of December last, in favor
of an appropriation 'to be paid to the
Spanish government for the purpose of
distribution among the claimants in the
Amistad case" President Polk first
made similar recommendation in De
cember, 1S47, and it was repeated by my
immediate predecessor in December, 1888.
| entertain no doubt that indemnity is
fairly due to these claimants under our
treaty with Spain, of the 9th October,
1895; and whilst demanding justice we
ought to do Justice. An appropriation,
promptly made, for this purpose, could
not fail to exert favorable influence on
our negotiations with Spain.
Our position in relation to the indePen
dent States south of us on this continent.
and especially those within the limits of
North America, is of peculiar character.
The Northern boundary of Mexico is CO.
incident with our own southern boundary
from ocean to ocean and we must neces-
sarily feel deep interest in all that con-
Germs the well-being and the fate of so
near a neighbor. We have always cherish
ed the kindsst wishes for the success Of
that republic, and have INDUCED the hope
that it might at last, after all its trials,
enjoy peace and prosperity under free
and stable government. We have never
hitherto interfered, directly or Indirectly
with its internal affairs, and it is 8 duty
which we owe to ourselves to protect the
integrity of its territory, against the hos
tile interference of any other power. Our
geographical position, our direct interest
in all that concerns Mexico. and our we'll
settled policy in regard to the North
American continent, render this an indis-
penssble duty.
Mexico has been in state of constant
revolution almost ever since 1t achieved
its independence. One military leader
after another has usurped the government
in rapid succession, and the various con-
situations from time to time adopted have
been set at naught almost as soon as they
were proclaimed. The successive gov
ernments have afforded no adequate pro-
lection, either to Mexican citizens or for
eign residents, against lAwless violence.
Heretofore q seizure of the capital BY
military chieftain has been generally fol-
lowed by at least the nominal submission
of the country to his rule for brief pc