The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-12-16

ter at Madrid These are then referred back to !
the Captain General for information: and much |
time Is thus consumed in preliminary investiga- |
mons and correspondence Between Madrid and
Cuba, before the Spanish government will consent
10 proceed to negotiation. Many of the difficulties
between the two governments would be obviated.
and long train of negotiation avoided if the
Cdptain-General were invested with the authority
70 settle questions of easy solution on the spot
where all the facts are fresh and could be promptly
and satisfactorily ascertaned. We have hitherto
In vain urged upon the Spanish goverouent 10
confer this power upon the Captain-General, and
our minister to Spain will again be instructed to
urge this subject their notice. In this respect
we occupy different position from the powers of
Europe. Cuba is almostwithin sight of our shores
our commerce with it is far greater than that of any
other nation, including Spain itself, and our cti-
zens are in habits Of daily and extended personal
intercourse with every part of the island 1t is
therefore, great grievance that when any diff
Guilty occurs, no matter how unmportant, which
might be readily settled at the moment, we should
DC obliged to report TO Madrid, especially when
the very first step to be taken there is to refer 1t
back to Cuba rra
The truth is, that Cuba, in it's existing colonial
condition, is constant source OF injury and annoy
ance TO the American people 1t is the only spot IN
the civilized world where the African slave trade IS
tolerated and we are bound by treaty with treat
Britain to maintain naval force ON the coast or Al
solely for the purpose Of arresing sayers bound to
that island The late serious difficulties between
the United States aad Great Britain respecting the
right Of search, nov 50 happily terminated, could
never have arisen if Cuba had not afforded market
for slaves. As long this market shall remain
open, there be no hope for the civilization of
benighted Africa Whilst the demand for slaves
continues in Cuba wars will be waged among the
petty and barbarous chiefs OF Africa the purpose
ofseizing subjects to supply this trade. In such
condition of affairs, it is impossible that the light of
civilization or religion can ever penetrate these
dark abodes. -.
1t has been made known to the world by my pre-
decessoTs that the United States have, on several
occasions, underworld 10 acquire Cuba from Spain
by honorable negotiation. lfths were accomplish
ed, tue last relic Of the African slave trade would
instantly disappear. We would rot, if we could,
acquire Cuba ia say other manner This is due to
our national character. All the territory which
have acquired since the orign of the government
has been bs fair purchase from France, Spain and
Mexico BY the free and voluntary act of the in
dependent State OF Texas ia blending her destines
with ours This we shall ever pursue, unless
circumstances should occur, which We do not now
anticipate, rendering departure from it clearly
justiabe, under the imperative and oyerruling law
OF self-preseryatiOn.
The island of Cuba, from geographical position,
commands the mouth Of the Mississippi, and its inn
mense and annually increasing trade, foreign and
coastwise, from the valley of that noble river
embracing half the sovereign States Of the Union.
With that island under the dominion of distant
foreign power, this trade Of vital Importance 10
these states, is exposed 10 the danger of being
destroyed IN time of war, and il has hitherto been
subjected TO perpetual injury and ANNOYANCE in
time of peace Our relations with Spain, which
ought to be ofthe most friendly character, must
Always be placed in jeopardy, whilst 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 United States, its value to
Spain is, comparatively, unimportaut. 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, person through
out the world has imputed blame to him, for ex-
cepting pecuniary equiv for this cession.
The publicity which has been given to our former
negotiations upon this subject, and the large APP
purpose. render it exPedient, before making an
other attempt to renew the negotiation, that
should lay the whole subject before Congress.
This is especially necessary, as il may become in
dispensible TO success, that should be intrusted
with the Of making advance TO the
Spanish government Immediately after the signing
of the treaty, without awaiting the ratification OF
itby the Senate. l am encouraged to make this
suggestion BY example of Mr.. Jefferson previous
to the purchase Of Louisiana from France, and BY
that Of Mr.. Polk in view of the acquisition of terri
tory of Mexico refer the whole subject to Con-
gress end commend il to their careful considera-
ton.
| repeat the recommendation made
in my message of December last, in
favor of an appropriation 4" to be paid
to the Spanish Government for the pur-
pose of distribution among the claim
ants in the Amistad case" Presi-
dent Polk first made a similar re-
commentator in December, 1871, and
it was repeated by my immediate pre-
decessor in December, 1853. / enter
tain no doubt that indemnity is fairly
due to these claimants under our treaty
with Spain of the 9th October, 1875
and whilst demanding justice we ought
to do justice. An appropriation
promptly made for this purpose could
not fail to exert a favorable influence
on our negotiations with Spain.
Our position in relation to the indie
pendent States south Of US on the con
tinent, and especially those within the
limits of North America, is of pecu
liar character. The northern boundary
of Mexico is coincident with our owr
northern boundary from ocean to ocean
and we must necessarily feel deep in
terest in all that concern the well-beine
and the fate of so near a neighbour
We have always cherished the kindest
wishes for hesuccess of that Republic
and have indulged the hope that il
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 duty
which we owe to ourselves, to protect
the integrity of its territory, agains
the hostile interference of any Other
power. Our geographical position, oul
direct interest in all that concern.
Mexico, and our well-settled policy il
regard to the North American cont
nent, render this an Indispensable duty
Mexico has been in state of con
slant revolution, almost ever since j,
achieved its independence. One mill
tary leader after another has usurped
the government III rapid succession
and the various constitutions from time
to time adopted have been set al
naught almost as soon as they were
proclaimed. The successive govern
ments have afforded no adequate pro
lection, either to Mexican citizens Oh
foreign residents, against lawless VIC
lence. ! Heretofore, seizure of the
capital by military chieftain has beer
generally followed by at least the nomi