Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-29
The A cauf.,tion OF Cuba.


the American mind, and it will stay there.
That the acquisition of the Island would be a
valuable addition TO the United States, in
many respects. there are very few who doubt,
provided it can be effected without arousing
feelings among the States, or among the ma
tions of the earth, which should change the
good to evil. AS Southern measure it would
receive the support of Southern secticnalists;
as a commercial question affecting the inter
ests Of the grain-growers OF the West. it
would not likely meet with strenuous opposi-
tion from that quarter; and, as a point for ma
rine fertilization, defense and protection for
large part Of our Atlantic and Gulf coasts. it
would he alike desirable to all sections. But
whether it shall be regarded from 50 elevated
and patriotic standpoint il a matter Of ex-
treme doubt. To the mischievons agitators
of the slavery question it would doubtless be
hailed as very proper subject for keeping
up the strife upon which they live. Besides
this the intrinsic difficulties attending the in
PRODUCTION off colony ofdegenerate Spaniards
as citizens Of the q. States. different in race,
language and law: and the proximity of free
negro republics. aud the abolition possessions o
anti-slavery governments may present ques-
tions which should cause an enlightened
craftsmanship TO hesitate, before consumma-
ting project, ont of which the most serious
embarrassments may possibly grow. In adj
dition to these considerations, is the manifest
indisposition Of Spain to part with Cuba under
any circumstances. We think that its acqui-
sition, under the most favorable auspices,
would produce embarrassments which have
not as yet been looked full in the face; and
we feel assured that to result in the benefits
tate steps should be taken by its friends. 1t
is subject, above all others, which requires
deliberate and cautious approach. 1t was
therefore, with regret as we'll as surprise. that
we witnessed the course taken by Mr.. DAVIS,
of Mississippi, in the Senate, on the 22d inst,
which is contained in the following report:
Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi asked leave to in
troduce resolution instructing the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs To report a bill autho-
rizing and requiring the President of the
United States to take possession of the island
of Cuba, unless. within the next six months,
the sum of $l28,625 81, for duties uniustly
taken from American vessels, be paid and
satisfaction given to the President for the in
suits offered to our flag and injury done to
the persons and property Of citizens of the
United Stats.
This brief resolution contains the germ of
principles at variance with the settled policy
and course Of the government from its inctp-
ton to the present, and which, if followed
out to their ultimate logical effects, would
inevitably involve us in a simultaneous war
with nearly half the governments on the
Western Continent, and perhaps a majority
of those on the European. Such state of
affairs was not contemplated, of course, by
the mover OF the resolution; but why not,
with the samc propriety, give six months
notice to Mexico and several Of the Central
and South American countries against which
we have claims, to settle up or submit to a
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of their territories? Why
may we not trump up claims in behalf OF
outraged citizens against any number of gov
ernments, and enter at once upon new ca
reer OF conquest plumber and dominion !
such proposition would startle the sense OF
justice of the civilized world. Yet we can
apply the principle offered by Mr.. DAVIS in a
score of cases well as in the one
But the Senator has high authority for his
proposition. The President, not a month
ago, in what was meant for a deliberate State
paper, his Annual Message recommended the
seizure Of portion of Mexico, on reasons, il
anything less pregnant, than those which may
be urged by Mr.. DAVIS. The doctrine of re-
prisals set forth by the President, and sus-
tanned by an appeal to the law of nations
must have suggested the resolution to the
mind of the Senator the latter is but an
application of the former. They are both
ycrging entirely beyond the range of techni-
cal rrprisals as defined and established by the
law of nations. We have no thought that
the resolution of Mr.. DAVIS will ripen into
anything like adoption and enforcement and
we can but regard it as unfortunate both for
his own reputation and for the measure it is
intended TO accelerate.