The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-11-09
ANNEXATION OF CUBA.

The annexation OF Cuba, which once found little
favor at the North is beginning to acquire consid-
cradle popularity in that scction and we shall not
be surprised to sec It great Northern measure
The Phiiadel phia Enquirer says 1t Is now contend
ed in the Northern States and with considerable
show Of reason, that while the annexation Of Cuba
would not increase the number Of slaves on the
Island that the further importation OF Africans
would be put an end to, and that thus great trl-
umph would be achieved to humanity. General
Walbridee who Was a candidate for Congress from
the city Of New York. recently delivered speech,
i'll which he openly avowed himself as in favor Of
the annexation Of Cuba. He declared that follow
ing the law of political gravitaton, that island
must sooner or later become integral part of
the american constellation He referred in en-
rhatic language to the commercial Importance Of
the subject and he arrested the attention of his
audience by giving graphic picture of the pres
cnt and prospective resources of the island. he
following IS passage from his addrcs:
''While her supplies of rum aud coffee have
greatly fallen off, in 1887 Che said) imported
into the United States from the Island of Cuba,
fory-fve millions Of dollars in value Of her pro-
auctions. Nor is it probable that the demand Tor
her tropical exports will not augment with the IA
lidly expanded growth Of cur country, and that
our trade with this island will be swollen
to an hundred millions Of dollars annually. |
have thus sketched the growing commercial rela-
tons between the United States and the island
of Cuba-an island that commands the approach
of the Gulf Of Mexico, bars the entrance OF that
great river which drains half the American con-
tncnt and with its tributaries forms the largest
system Of internal water communication III the
worid-kecping watch at the doorway OF our III
tcrcourse with California by the lsthmus route
an island larger than Scotland, only third less
than the territorial extent Of England, equal to
the average area of the members Of our contcdera-
cy, with nearly every town sCaroat, with an I'M
port and export averaging annually from forty live
to torty-sx millions of dollars at the present de-
pressed condition Of the island with not onc-tenth
Of its soil in cultivation, and encountered with
most enormous and grievous taxes. Such, fellow
citizens, is one of the great interests which en-
cages the anxious attention OF our statesmen OF the
past and which is contemplated at this day by
the great interest of the Union. Ou1 ablest
statesmen regard its acquisition as only one Of
time.
The expressions of sentiment, coming from
organs of opposition political parties in the North
are highly significant. In another article of some
length, the Enquirer insists that conflict with
Spain is imminent, and expresses the hope that
the American government will demand forth with
restoration freedom of the slaves lately landed
from American vessels in Cuba, and payment of
the expenses which may be incurred in trans
which her neglect has forced upon the United
States in connection with the capture Of the Erh0
1t also complains bitterly # the grievance which
the United States suffer in being compelled, by the
conduct Of the Cuban authorities, to keep up an
expensive marine on the coasts Of Africa and of
Cuba, and says that the only way now is to with
draw our vessels from the African coast, demand
an indemnity of Spain for expenses, and to
make her render an African and Gulf squadron
needless in the future.
New TREATY WITH JAPAN.-Thc San Fran
cisco Bulletin, Of October s. contains the following
intelligence:
We learn that an important new treaty has been
made between the Government of Japan and the
United States the latter bcin" represented by Mr.
Harris, United States Consul at .Jcddo. BY this
treaty new port of entry will be opened to Ameri
cans. This port lies in the bay Of Jeddo, five miles
from the city. Americans to be allowed to
travel through any of the ports, which are opened
to them, 1t is stated that a japanese Prince,
with a suite of fourteen attendants, to depart
from Japan forthwith for Washington, via California
and Panama.
Cost OF OBTAINING OFFICE.-Bribcry and
corruption have become so much part and parcel
of elections in New York, that Of the papers of