Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-12-18

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obtain redress have been baffled and de-
feated. The frequent and oft-recurring
changes in the Spanish ministry, have been
employed as reasons for delay. We have
been compelled 10 wait again and again,
until the new minister shall have had
time TO investigate the justice Of the de
msnds.
Even hat have been denomnated 'tthe
Cuban claims" in which more than hun
dred of our citizens are directly interested,
have furnished no exception. These claims
were for the refunding of duties unjnsIly
exacted from American vessels at different
custom houses in Cuba, so long ago as the
yearlS l4. The principles upon which they
rest arc so rnanifestly equitable and just,
that after period Of nearly ten years, in
1854, they were recognized by the Span
ish government. Proceedings were after
wards instituted to ascertain their amount,
and this was finally fixed according to their
own statement with which we are salts
fed) at the sum of one hundred and TWEEN
weight thousand six hunred and thirty
five dollars and fifty-four cents. Just AT
the moment, after a delay of fourteen
years. when we had reason to expect that
this sum would be repaid with interest we
have received proposal offering to refund
one third Of that amount, (s42.87S OD,
but without interest, if we would accept
this in full satisfaction. The offer is, also,
accompanied by a declaration that this in
Identification is not founded on any reason
of strict Justice; but is made as IA special
f.,or x x
CUBA.
The truth is that Cuba, in its existing
colonial condition, is a constant source OF
injury and annoyance to the American
people. 1t is the only spot in the ciyilz
ed world where the African slave trade is
tolerated; and we are bound by treaty
with Great Britain TO maintain naval
force on the coast of Africa, at much ex
peuse both Of life and treasure, so'ely for
the purpose of arresting slaves bound to
that island The late serious difficulties
| etween the Unitel States and Great
Britain respecting the right of search,
now so happily ter ina'e 'olII never
have arisen if Cuba had not afforded d
market for slaves. As long as this mar
ket shall remain open, there can be no
hope for the civilization of benighted AT
RIGA. Whilst the demand for slaves con
tinues in Cuba, wars will be waged among
the petty and barbarous chiefs in Africa,
for the purpose of seizing subjects to sup
ply this trade. In such condition of
affairs, it is impossible that the light of
civilization and religion can ever penetrate
these dark abodes.
1t has been made known to the world
by my predecessors, that the United States
have, on several occasions, endeavored 20
acquire Cuba from Spain 10y honorable
negotiation. If this were accomplished
the last relic of the African slave trade
would instantly disappear. We would
not, if we could, acquire Cuba in any 9th
err manner. This is due to our naliona!
character. All the territory which we
have acquired since the origin o. the gov
eminent, has been by fair purchase from
France, Spain and Mexico, or by the free
and voluntary act Of the Independent
State of Texas, in blending her destine4
with our own. This course we shall everI
pursue, unless circumstances should occur.
which we do not now anticipate, rendering
a departure from it clearly justitiable I'M
der the imperative and everything law of
self preservation.
The island of Cuba, from It's geographi
cal position, commands the mouth of the
Mississippi, and its immense and annually
increasing trade, foreign and coastwise
from the valley of that noble river, now
embracing half the sovereign States Of the
Union. With that island under the do
minion of distant foreign power, this
trade, of vital Importance to these States,
is exposed to the danger of being de
stroyed in time Of war, and it has hitherto
been subjected to perpetual injury AMI an
noyance in time of peace. Our relations
with Spain, which ought to be of the
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 Uni
ted States its value to Spain is compare
lively unimportant. Such was the lela-
tive situation of he parties when the
great Napoleon transferred Louisiana to
the United States. Jealous, as he ever
was, of the national honor and interests of
France no person throughout the world
has imputed blame to him, for accepting
pecuniary equivalent for this cession.
The publicity which has been given to
our former negotiations upon this subject,
and the large appropriation which may be
required to effect the purpose, render 1t
eSpedient, before making another attempt
to renew the negotiation, that should
lay the whole subject before Congress
This is especially necessary, us it may be
come Indispensable to success that should
be intrusted with the means Of making an
advaucesto the Spanish government i'm
mediately after the signing Of the treaty
without awaiting the ratification Oft by
the Senate. am encouraged to make
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