Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-15
Cuba.


The Queen of the Antilles is the fairest spot
of the North American Continent; and altho'
possessing far more favorable phase of the
Slavery question than the Southern States, it is
nevertheless cursed with an institution which
will prevent its prosperity, and it belongs to a
nation, proverbial for Incidence and luxury,
which will be milestone about the neck OF the
fair island as long as she remains in possession.
That it would bet very desirable addition to
this nation, We're it not for extending the evils
of Slavery, is not to be denied. But that it can
be peaceably annexed, and that without giving
strength to the South is equally uncertain. Up
on this question, however, there are diversity
Of opinions, than which we have seen no more
favorable one than that given by the New York
Times:
- The Washington States makes some very
just and timely structures upon the short sighted
policy of Southern politicians. They are always
on hand to fight windmills, but are never in har-
ness when any contest OF actual Importance is
impending. They neglect and sacrifice the val
liable material interests of the Southern States,
to the miserable controversies upon distractions
which absorb public attention and divert the
public mind from matters of greater consequence.
Ihey are now contending with vehement and
incorporate zeal, for the admission of Kansas
under the Lecompton Constitution, conceding
that it has not the slightest practical Importance
for them, while they are utterly neglecting the is
sues connected with Cuba and Central America.
The States cites these facts as showing conclu-
sively that the South has no sound and healthy
polcy-that she never securess the sympathy of
the whole country by measures OF national mag
ntude, but permits her public men to damage
her reputation and check her growth by the
narrow, sectional and repellant controversies
which absorb their whole attention.
| The States considers the acquisition of Cuba
as a matter of special Importance to the South
ern States. We do not nor arc we surprised
to find, among Southern men, that difference Of
sentiment and action which the States deplores
The Cuban question is pre- eminently q Northern
question. The only way in which the acquisi-
tioa of that island could benefit the South
would be by adding one more Slave State to the
Union and SO increasing the political power Of
Slavery. But Cuba, if acquired, must be a
province before it is State, and we shall have
half dozen more Free States before she enters
the Confeleracy Besides, Slavery is very
different thing in Cuba, from what it is in South
Carolina. The acquisition of Cuba would put
an effectua stop to the African Slave Trade, in.
troduce rival sugar-growing country to Loui
siana, and offdr the example of Slave State
where slaves are legally entitled to earn theil
own freedom. Commerce would be the grea
interest which would profit most by the Ameri
clnization Of Cuba and the commercial sectio,
is, therefore, the one which will be most zeal
Gus in its support. New York City is far NOR,
deeply interested in the accomplishment of th
purpose than the Southern section Of the Union
1t would add ten or fifteen millions yearly to on
trade,-offor new markets to the grain and lou
of the West as well as to the manufactures O
New England, and add immensely to the mill
tary strength and national stability of the who'll
country Hundreds and thousands of Northern
capitalists would invest in its plantations ant
make it their Winter residence, --and in all es
scntial respects it would be commercially, soci
ally and politically dependency of New Yorl
and the North. And instead of becoming, Il
many persons fear it would, part of fltur
Southern Slave Empire, the bonds of commerce
and of interest wonld make Cuba, if annexed
one of the strongest Union States in the Con
federacy.
Whenever the time arrives for practical action
upon this subject, we are fully prepared to Sc
the policy of acquiring Cuba adopted and urge
as Northern measure. 1t is very clear, how
ever that Mr.. Buchanan is losing the opportu
niCy of attempting this work with the slghtes
prospect of success lie is wasting his strength
in the foolish and fruitless struggle for Locomp
ton He has attempted to coerce Congress, an,
the attempt has recoiled with fearful effect. Iii
prestige and power are thoroughly broken AN
as events prove, he cannot command maorit
for any measure be may propose 1t is cviden
chat the Cuban question must wait for wiser me
and more propitious times"