The Placer herald., 1859-02-26

ne overland MAIL, WIFI CI. LOUIS udle
to the 9th of Jynuary, reached San Fran
cisco on the goth inst.
The Purchase of Cuba.
Mr.. Slidell, on (the oath ult.) from tn
Committee on Foreign Affairs, to whom wa
referred the bill making appropriations t.
facilitate the acquisition of Cuba by negoti
ations, reported the report of the comMit;e
on the acquisition of Cuba, and said, it i
not considered necessary by the committee
to enlarge upon the vast Importance of th'
acquisition of Cuba. Its ultimate acquisition
may be considered fixed purpose of th'
United States-a purpose resulting from geo
graphical aud political necessities, whicl
have been recognized by all parties and Ad
ministraions, and in regard to which the
popular voice has been expressed unanimous
ly in favor. The purchase and annexation o
Louisiana led as necessary corralIa,y, to
Florida, and both point with unerring GER
tainty to Cuba. What the possession of the
mouth of the Mississippi was to the West
Cuba will become to the nation. Our lead
inc statesmen have endeavored, with steadi
ness and perseverance, to hasten the consum
nation of this project.
The report mere quotes the opinions OF
Jefferson, Adams, Clay Van Buren, Buc"an-
an, in his dispatch to Saunders, Everett in
his celebrated letter to Sartiges and Marcy's
dispatch to Soue From the authorities i,
is manifest that the ultimate acquisition o
Cuba has been long regarded not only as de-
sirable but inevitable. The only difference
is, in the time mode and conditions of OBJ
tanning it. The law of our national exis
tence is growth, which we cannot disobev
while we should be careful not to impose
upon ourselves a regiment so strict as to pre-
vent its healthy development.
England, France and Russia are all ex
pending by the same law of progression, but
their growth is the absorption of weaker
powers, while ours is the result of geograph-
ical position, higher civilization and greater
aptitude for government, We have neither
the right nor disposition to find fault with
this; so let England pursue her annexation
in India; France, in Africa or the Rhine;
Russia subdue barbarous Asa, and we shall
look on their progress, if not with favor, at
least with Indifference We claim on this
hemisphere the same privilege. We repeat
that the acquisition Of Cuba is but ques
ton of time. The fruit that was not ripe in
Quincy Adams day is now mature, and the
question is, shall it be pucked by friendly
hand, prepared to compensate its proprietor
with a prncelv guerdon, or shall it fall tc
the ground AS 5 pain cannot long maintain
her grasp, there are but three alternatives.
First-The possession of Cuba by one OF
the great European powers, which is incom
patibe with our safety, and must consequent
Iy be resisted.
Second-lhe Independence of the Island
which would result in a protectorale, more
or less disguised If under ours, annexation
would follow; if under European, civil and
servie war would result.
Third-1he question how is this to be
done, can only be answered-by conquest oil
negotiation, Conquest, even without the
interference or other powers, than Spain
would be expensive, and with such interter-
ence, it would involve the whole civilized
world in war Purchase, then, is the only
practicable course; but that cannot be at
tempted with success, unless the President
be clothed with the powers to negotiate and
paw, as he suggested in his message. Much
has been said of the danger of contidng
such powers to the Executive, but we have
three examples in the purchase Of Louisiana,
Florida and Mexico.
The Senatorial Difficulty.