The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1859-01-29
ACQUISITION OF CUBA.

The bill introduced into the United States Senate
by Mr.. Slid, to facilitate the acquisition of Cuba,
IL, IN substance. rs follows:
Whereas Cuba geographically possesses com.
handing influence over the large and annually in
Crcasing trade, foreign and coastwsc, of the Missss-
ipp Valley and whereas the Island in Its present
colonial condition must continue u source OF injury
and annoyance endnngering the friendly relations be-
tween Spain and the United States by the aggressOns
of its local authority upon American commerce and
citizens, for which tardy redress only be had by
crcuitous demand upon Spain !; and whereas. In the
opnon of Congress aud In accordance with the views
OF the President, MS the last Of settling the OK.
sting and removing future difficulties, IL il cxpcdcnt
that negotiations for the purchase OF the Island should
be renewed therefore resolved, that S3OOO0 900 be
placcd in the Presidents hands for expenditures eli
Their from cash in the treasury that 10 be borrow.
ed on per cent bonds of 81, 900 each, redecmablc
in from twelve to twenty years
WASHINGTON, JAN 2l.-Senme- Senator sIidcIl,
from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, presented
their report the subject of the acquisition of Cuba.
The report is lengthy and an elaborate cmbodi.
mcnt of all the arguments in favor Of The acquisition
of The island embracing the views OF the various Pres.
| idcnts and statesmen on this subject
II favors the acquisition by purchase II practica-
blc but assumes that forcbc measures may be render
ed necessary for selfprescrvaton.
The report says that the ultimate acquisition ofCu
ba may be considered n fixed purpose Of the Uni
ted STAGES. resulting from our geographical and pc.
| litca necessities and recognized by all parties and
Administrations and endorsed by the popular voice.
| The report says The purchase of Louisiana led to
the purchase of Florida, and both point to Cuba.
Cuba will become to the nation what the mouth Of
the Mississippi has become to the great West II says
our greatest statesmen have steadily and pcrscvcring
ly cndcavored TO hasten the acquisition Of Cuba by
every honorable means 1t advances the opinion
that our national existence depends in grca, meas
urc upon our growth our expansion. England, II
continues Il expanding IL India France Is expand
ing in Africa, on the Rhine Russia is expanding
in barbarous Asia. and we claim the same privilege
Of expansion on this hemisphere.
| Those Powers, the report continues. grew by alb
sorbng the smaller nations, aud we by our geograph-
zeal position higher civilization, and greater aptitude
| for government.
The rru, not ripe in John Quincy Adams time IL
now mature. Shall it be plucked by a friendly hand
willing to compensate it, proprietor or shall It fall
to the ground!
Spain, il says cannot long maintain its grasp on
Cuba, and there are but three alternatives: First,
the possession of Cuba by an European Power This
would be incompatible with the safety Of the United
States and must be- resisted by us.
! I'd The independence Of the island. This would
result in protcctorate less disguised II Gu
la should thus come under our protection annexa-
ton wond follow il under Enroycan protection, civ
| IL End scrvilc wars must DC the result.
! Sd Annexation to the United States. This must
be effected 10y purchase conquest, The latter would
he expensive aud involve the world in war The re-
port concludes therefore that the purchase of the
island is the only practicable course 10 pursue, and
says the President must be clothed with powers aud
provided with means TO negotiate for its purchase.
| IL says that in Of European war Spain would
become inv olved, and Cuba would declare her indie
pendcnce, rs large portion Of the inhabitants Of
that island in favor Of annexation to the United
States.
II intmates that the opponents Of the Slave trade
should advocate the bill measure OF suppressng
the traffic
II scouts the Spanish notions OF national pride,
when the whole world has known our yiews,and pol
icy the subject for years and regards the purchase
OF Cuba a. a mere ceremony.
Mr., Mason did not believe that successive absOrp-
tons OF smaller States necessary to our national
existence.
Seward considered the proposition to purchase Gu
ba unwse and ridiculous, and offered some constitu
tiona objections.
! Mr. Bayard advocated the bill.
Mr.. Toombs replied to Stewards constitutional OBJ
! lectious