Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1858-11-11

~ MONROE, which locks to ehe pfohibition
Of any forsisn powell from colonizing IL
territory contiguous 20 our own.
Originating in any other source, this
doctrine at first would scarcely have risen
above the importance Of = political specu.
lation, founded in fear and jealousy. The
experience which was to confirm its wis.
dom, and the occasion when self-preserva
ton would require its strenuous exercise.
had not been severely felt. Al that day
it was a prophetic, rather than historic
truth. The difficulties and dangers which
this doctrine would forestall were mere at
om,, floating about confusedly above the
horizon. Events had not combined them
and set them up for signs Of the political
! seasons.
How far we should 60 in asserting our
claims to territory that commands the
passes Of our commerce, and can At any
time threaten our nationality. is disputed
question. Yet il is clear to every mind
that regards national honor and indepen
dence, a. objects Of the highest value. 1t
10 better 10 resort to extreme measures for
preventing than for repelling danger. The
seasonable negotiations for Louisiana and
Florida, gave more adequate protection to
American interests in the Gulf. than could
line of battle-ships from New Orleans to
St. Augustine. Tn" possession Of the Mis-
sissippi and the CO ntrol Of the Gulf coast.
were necessary to our physical security
and commercial importance. Their COM
manding position had long excited the
cupidity Of England, because she foresaw
that from thence commerce must receive
bountiful contributions, and possessed Of
that, she could control the trade, and, to
q large extent, the politics Of this conti-
nent The timely purchase Of that terri:
tory achieved our commercial independ-
ence.
The great currents of the worlds trade
are beginning TO force chennel through
the GrH and the Central American States,
and to exercise . controlling influence
over the territory contiguous to this great
highway Of nations, is matter of serious
and vital moment. Diplomacy in this Gen.
fury has grsrpled with no question that
has 50 many important bearings upon our
future, whether in peace Or in war-viewed
physically, commercially, or politically.
The willy Court Of St. James has long been
net,led BY this fact. II is no part of her
policy to let slip an advantage without
breaking lance to secure il. Accord
ingly Sir WILLIAM GoEE OusELEY, who
has so long been an enigma in diplomatic
circles, was deputed to negotiate With Mic.
aragua touching British interests. The
result has been the concession on the part
Of Nicaragua Of valuable privileges to
England inmatters Of trade,by which the
latter's merchandise is admitted on terms
of equality with the most favored nations.
But most important Of all, the right is full
y conceded to England to employ force, if
necessary, for the protection Of persons
and property in crossing the isthmus.-
This appears somewhat ominous. inasmuch
as our own government has been seeking
that same rght-one to which our para
mount interests justly entitle US. Discre-
cretionary power like this always bears a
suspicious air when conceded to q rival
The higgling which the Central American
States evince in their dealings with us.
calls for the utmost vigilance and deter
mination On the part Of our own govern
ment. We can safely acquesce in any
arrangement that fully and fairly gives 9TH
er nations commercial equality with our.
selves, but nothing more. How to estab
lish predominating influence over the
Istbmus and the Gulf must soon be the
exciting problem for American statesman,
ship to solve. Acquisition will be the rule
for its solution, and the possession Of Gu
ba the first step in the process.
Equal in extent TO Tennessee-with the
population Of Virginia-rich in resources
valuable for its productions--formidable
in its position, having entire surveillance
of cur Pacific and of a very large portion OF
the Mississippi valley trade--Cuba is to
US the gem Of this continent. In the pos
session Of Spain, there is little to fear, but
under the control Of another, our com.
merce would become incident TO a rivals
to.bearance. No vicissitudes of war-no
reasonable conditions of purchase, can
make us silent spectators Of such an event.
Spain, decrepit and factious, holds her
foreign possessions BY . precarious ten,
ure. Cuba will be the 6rst to elude her
grasp. She is the source neither Of great
revenue or power TO Spain, nor would her
loss be seriously felt.
II is time that our government ceased
to temporize in this matter. The emer.
gency is upon US which calls for prompt
and resolute action. The possession Of this
this island at an early day is public me-
cessity. Il would give new aud improv
ed tone to the national spirit. lie acqui
sition with slavery will excite clamors, -
did that Of Texas hut ~ commercial
fortress, to both North and South, it is in.
valuable, and the national heart feels
deeper interest in this than in any
other question on the political calendar.
We yearn for . deliverancefrom sec.
| tional strife and hare il a oue.,;oo