Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-07-30
The United states and Cuba-The London Times I'm

United States and Cuba--Vhe London Times In
Favor of our Having Cuba.
The London Times of July 7th, concludes an arti-
Gle about Spain and the slave trade as follows:
Lord Malmesbury has been protesting In terms for
chile indeed but yet warranted by the dsgraceu facts
against the manner in which Spain has violated her
most solemn obligations as to the importation of slaves
into Cuba Upon this Spanish pride has taken fire
Spain is not proud enough to do no wrong, but quite
proud enough to take fence at the imputation of it
Every who has looked into the question of the slave
trade at ALL knows well that for the last twenty years and
more, Cuba under the protection of the Spanish flag
has been the main stay and prop of the system There
has been direct importation of slaves into the United
States during that time In the Brazils the traffic has
virtually ceased In Cuba alone it is carried out in full
vigor. There but one chance of dealing successfully
with the traffic. and that that the local government
should interfere to suppress it. All our exertions at
could have little effect beyond running up the rate of the
insurance Now, every effort that has been made to
procure orders to this eect-real not nominal orders
has proved rutess. The time has arrived when
called upon to review our policy in this matter. We
will not follow the example of the idle braggars at Ma
drd and prattle about visionary nvasons. Why, even
if we had the WILL should be at the trouble of apply
ing direct pressure to Span Thus much is clear-thst
if Lord Malmesbury were this day to give Mr. Dallas
the faintest hint that England would stand neutral in
the matter Cuba in three months time would be State
in the North American Union.
Let us look this question boldly in the face. What
interest has England the integrity of the colonial do
minOns of Spain? What is it to US if Cuba be to-
morrow an American in place of Spanish possession
Cur only interest in the question for long time past
has been a moral, not material one Nay, our mate
rial interests have been in direct opposition to that line
OF policy which we have pursued on the grounds OF hui
manity. Cuba in the hands of American citizens would
be much more productive market than at present
Our manufacturers and merchants could buy and sell
more with American than Spanish Cuba.
If it is to remain save-imp porting country had
lief nay, rather that it should pass into American
hands. Patience and forbearance have been tired out
and the time has fairly arrived when may consider if
we should not be playing game more wisely by
standing still while the Cabinet of Washington carried
out the long cherished designs of the American people
upon the Island of Cuba 1t is not impossible that the
Stats would be willing to come to an understanding
with u.s. that if Cuba passed quietly into their possess
ion wishes with regard to the further importation of
slaves into the island would not be disregarded.
What is Spain to that should interfere further
to protect her colonial possessions? The only argu-
mes which disposed to consider after the treat
ment have met with from successive cabinets at Mad
rid, those which apply to interest and well
being. Locking at the question from this point of view
two arguments might be urged, there is probably no
great weight in either. 1t might be said in the first
place. that it would be shortsghed policy to slim
ulae the progress Of the United States in wealth and
power for the time may when they may prove for
miduabe antagonists to ourselves This is but paltry
policy after all for whatever may do, the vast
federation the other side of the Atlantic will go on
increasing IN strength and IN extent OF dominion.
We do not look grudgingly on this progress on the
contrary it is the best thing that be wished for this
country that the States should be prosperous and
growing power If the statesmen who guide the deSti
MES of the confederation have but the orbearance to
abstain from violating public law, and the canons of
public morality, God speed their work But to US, in
any case what it signify whether they conquer
province from the desert from the Cult of Mexico p
AS long we retain naval power they will not in
terere with and that gone the presence or alb
sence OF Cuba in the scale would signify but little in
deed 1t might be sad in the second place. that it would
be unwise for to stand STILL lockers on while Spain
weakened by the loss of her colonial possessions,
from considerations of European policy The Pyrennes
are not higher than they were in the days of Louis XIV
and of Napoleon Bonaparte. Here, again. the argu-
men does not appear to have any considerable weight
Spain derives substantial strength from her colonies
which would he her to resist invader and if she
did, what is that to us? We know the sacrifices we
made for the preservation Of the Spanish monarchy in
the first years of the present century, and what has been
our reward? What advantage to the extent of ore
shilling or of the antest element of power have we de-
rived from the Spanish alliance? We can point to
long list of unsatisfed claims of unpaid debt of obga-
lions disregarded and of violated faith but of help
when we needed help or of common gratitude for serv
ces of the most vital Importance there has not been one
title Let at length consider this question on its
own merits. Is it possible that with reference to En-
gish views and feelings Cuba could be in worse hands
than it is at present.