American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-12-16


the Spanish government. 10 remove. Whilst
the Captain General Of Cuba is invested with
general dfspotic authority IN the goyefnmt nj
Ofthat island, the power Is withheld from him
70 eFsmine and redress wrongs eommitisd BY
officials under his control, on citizens Of the
United States. Instead Of making our com
plsints directly 10 himat Havsha, we sre obIi-
geddo pressBt them through our Minister at
Aadtid. These are then referred back 10 the
Captain, General for information; and much
time thus consumed ii b!eliminnry iny-sti.
CATIONS and correspondence between Madrid
and Cuba, .befOrs the Spanish goteJnmeht win
consent p proceed %, heGotisti0h. hiahi 90
the dlfhculties between The two goYeTnments
would be obyiaied, and q long ifAiH Ofnegotia-
ton svoided, W the Captain General were, ii :
Vested with authority TO settle questions on eal
~ solution onihe spot, where all the facts are
fresh and could be promptly and satisfaetOrlly
asceTtained. We have hitherto In vain urged
upon the Spanish government to confer this
power upon the Captain General, and our Min.
ister t0,Spain will again be instructed to urge
this subject on their notice. 10 this respect
We oecuPya diferent position from the Pow
efs ofEurope, Cuba il almoSt within sight Of
our ShpEes; our commerce with tits far greater
than Of ahv other nation, including Spain IL.
self, and our citizens are in habits Of daily and
extended personal intercourse with every part
Of the island. 1t is. therefore, great grievance
that, when any dificuilyoccurs, no matter how
unimpoTtant, W hieh might be Tesdily settled al
the moment, We should be, obliged 10 resort to
Madrid, especially when the Jery ffSt step 70
be taken there is torefeT il back 10 Cuba. 4
The truth is, that Cuba in its existing colo
nialconditID1, is o constant source OF injury
and annoyance to the Ametican people. Itis
he lr snf Il y
African slave trade is tolerated; and we are
bound by treaty with Great Britain 10 main
tain naval force on the coast OF kfr4ca, Al
much expense, both Of life and treasure, sole.
ly for the purpose ofarIesting siavers bound %
that island. The late serious difficulties, be-
tween the United States and Great Britain re
spectiDg the right Of search, now 80 happily
terminated .fcou1d never have arsen il Cuba
had not afforded a market for slaves. Az long
as this market shall remain open, there can be
no hope for the civilization Of benighted Afri.
ca Whilst the demand for slaves continues
in Cuba, war will be waged among the petty
and baIbarous chiefs in Africa, for the purpose
OF, seiZing subjects 10 supply THE trade In
such condition OF Affairs, il IS impossible that
the light Of civilization and religion can ever
penetrate these dark a5odes. .a3 isa 80 -
II has been made known to the world by ny
on
several occasions, endeaVored 10 ACQUIRE Cubs
from Spain by honorable negotiation. If thi.
were accomplished, tho last relic of the Afri-
can slave trade would instantly dissppear.--
We would moi, 1T we could, acquire iCuba IN
any other manner..r This is true to ouTnation,
al character. All the territory which we
have acquired since The origin Of the govern
Lmenh has been by isu purchase from Efance,
Spain and MexIeo,OI by the free and volunfa
~ act the indepe ndeni State Of Texas, in
blending. her destihies with our own.- This
eonTsea weiShaH ever pursue, unless circum.
STANCES should occur whichlwe do not now
anticipate, TfndspPg q depSuure from II
clearly justifable, Under the imperative and
oveIrulng law Of self preservation. -. ~
Y The island OF Cuba, from its geographical
position, commands The mouth or the MIssfs-
.siPpi, and its immense and .snBBally increas.
ing trade, foreign and ceast wiSes from the val
ley OF that noble riYsr, nov embracing half the
land Funder,the dominion Of distant fofeipIi
power, this trade. of vital Importance 10 these
States, is exposed TO the danger Of beings de-
stroyed in time OF war, an6it has hithetto Seen
subjected e, perpetual injury and annoyance
in time Of peace Our relations with Spain,
which ought 10 be OF the most friendly etiarac-
ter, must always besplaceaa IN jeopardy, whilsl
the existing colonial government over the isl
and shall remain IN its present condition. t,,
Whilst the possession Of theisland would
be Of vast Importance to the United States: II,
value TO Spain lis compa patatiyely nnimpottaEt
Such was the relative. situation Of the narties
when the great Napoleon transferred Louisian,
alto the United States. Jealous as he eyel
was, of tho national honor aud interests oI
France. no person throughout the world ba,