True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-12-22
The Annexation of Cuba Mr.. BuChan,
ans nAhsorhing Point"


The Annexation of Cuba Mr.. Buchan,
ans absorbing Point"
Foremost among the absorbing points
of the Presidents Message, according to
the revelations of the executive organ, the
Washington UniOn-says the Cincinnati
CommerciaI-stands "a distinct recon.
mendation to Congress TO provide means
for the direct purchase Of the Island of
Cuba The reasons offered for this
measure by the Uniop-which are, we
believe the same with those urged by the
President---are first, the evils 10 the
people Of Cuba resulting from the present
disagreement; secondly, that Cuba
sooner or later will fall into our hands.
If the Government of the United States,
instead Of having been instituted 10 es-
tablish justice, ensure domestic tranquil,
ty, provide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity.' had been framed with a view
10 remedy or prevent the evils incident
to the misgovernment Of other nations of
the world, the first reason offered nigh,
be Of some validity. The second, in log.
ical soundness, is not unlike that which
operated upon the imaginative French.
man, who, apprebending another revolu-
ton, cut his throat to save himself from
falling victim to its ravages. II a gen.
,leman, looking upon piece Of property,
should say, 1t will fall into my hands
sooner or lateI at all events, therefore,
will buy it at once, cost what it may and
should proceed to carry his resolution into
effect, his neighbors would Justly call him
tool.
All the reason there is for the purchase
of Cuba by the United States, is that The
South wants it. The object is sectional
to create another slave State, and thereby
add 10 the strength of the slave holding
half Of the Union, in the common govern
ment 1t is one of the several devices on
the part of southern politicians, having fOr
their design to change the present polii,
cal status of the coufederacy and give the
preponderance to the South. Of course,
| it is revolutionary and iIegitimate. Its
in principle, just as much a plot to over
throw the government, as any of those
conspiracies that were detected and pun
ished by the death Of their authors, in the
times of the Henry's and Charles's o.
Great Britain; and not unnaturally we
find the most rabid disunion sentiments
avowed by those who are foremost ir
these annexation enterprises.
| Upon the other side there has been
corresponding difficulty. The opposition
has been almost as sectional as its antag
onist. If its acts have been little mort
than simply negative, its feelings hav'
been aggressive. and its spirit not wilhou
strong tinciure of selishness. Conse
quently neither side has been able t,
establish a principle, or bind the govern
ment to any fixed line Of policy. Anuex
alton and anti-annexation have struggle
and will probably continue TO struggl
together for years to come-the. forme
not able to accomplish much, the latte
incapable entirely 10 put down its advel
sary.
We are inclined to think there are res
sons which, being destitute Of all sections
bearing. should be valid with the Soutt
against the annexation of Cuba 10 th
United States. If the island becomes
part of the domain, il must necessarily b
erected into member of the confederacy
TO hold and govern colonies is, as all mu
! admit, not one of the constitutional pow
: ers of the government. Indeed it is th
, end proposed in the programme Of anne,
e alton 10 increase the number of sla,
e holding states, and therefore, in this vie
h it is to be contemplated. The first inqu
e ry then is, as TO its fitness in respect
Vt the character OF its inhabitants to becon
D an integral par! Of self governing repu
= lie. ...r...
e The island of Cuba has an area
Il 5000 square miles. Its population,
the absence Of any authoritative enumer
e tion, is variously stated We give thr
i different estimaes--Tbe first from t
l. National Cyclopedia, the second fro
e THRAsHER's Preliminary Essay to HU
D, BoLDT's Description Of Cuba. and t
rs third from tha History Of Cuba by NJ.
.o P.1You oe folloypc.
ID af CYcLoPEDIA. THRAsHBR. BALkC
Whites. ....4iS.29l $4,000 605.0
FreeC Col'd.l52,s3s 100000 205.0
Slaves. ......436,495 $4,000 5000
lie A writer in the Westminster Revi
X for July, 1855, speaking Of the statst
IN of Mr.. BALLoU, says that they proba|
r. underrate the number of slaves: IIt