The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-02-02
The Acquisition of Cuba.

Congress, and tne subject is naturally en-
ough engrossing the public mind. Presi-
dent Buchanan in his last annual Message
strongly pressed the importance of this
measure upon Congress, and the latter has
responded to the recommendation of the
Executive, so far rs to have under conslde-
ration, with every prospect of effecting its
passage, u bif nppropriatiug thirty millions
OF dollars to be placed at the disposal of
the President for the purpose of entering
into negotiations for the purchase of the
Island from Spain. The thirty millions, be
it understood, is not designed rs an offer to
Spain for Cuba; it is TO be expended in
secret-scrvice money 10 effect treaty, and
is an addition 10 the round sum Of about
two hundred millions, which will bc rcquir-
ed to'purchase the Island, if it can be put
chased at all This bill, il passed in the
face Of the hostile attitude Of the Spanish
Cove vernment to ours and her repeated dec.
larations that she would not sell Cuba. may
so inflame the hot blood and pride of the
Spanish people as 10 lead 10 an open rup>
turc with our Government.
This result, however, of the mcditated
negotiation, it is probable, would not be the
most disastrous consequence Of the propo-
sed measure that could Gappen. A war
with 'Sphin would be no great matter. One
of the first acts Of our Government would
be to seize Cuba it would require but
brief contest with pee pie emnently their
superior to exhaust the imbrcile valor Of
the Spaniards and then they would be in
condition far more favorable for negotiation
than they are at present. This result is
doubtless desired By many rs afiording the
easiest solution Of the difficulty before US.
Mr. keitt, Of this State, in Ills late speech
in Congress upon this subject, urged upon
our Government the propriety of seeing
Cuba at once, uroi the ground Of former
Spanish inju,ies to the United Suites. Mr.
keitts views, extreme as they are, are large
ly coincidcd in by the people of various
sections.
Looking upon the other side Of the qucs-
ton and supposng for n moment that
Spain is willing To sell, here likewise diff.
cul,ies present themselves 1t is well un.
dcrstood and believed that Englan. and
France will oppose the transfer of Cuba TO
the United States. England, in view of her
intimate relations with this country, might
not interfere TO the extent Cf n wsr but
there ntc no such considerations TO deter
France. Her imperial Emperor has already
! given earnest % his feeling in the premises
Under his system Of Government, war is
occasionally necessary, and France vas new
or better PREPARED to engage III it than she
is now. It's useless to imagine for a mo-
----.--. ''-r' -..:.L -. .-.-..Il l. ..
! thing else than serious mater. France,
| in her present high State of preparation.
for carrying on an offensive warfare, is per-
| iIaps the most formidable nation in the
world; and although our Government, rely-
! ing, in .he absence of any preparation, upon
the natural spirit and courage of her peo-
| pie, which has never yet failed her, would
nave nothing to fear as to the final result of
contest with France, yet il would be well
for US. rs n people, TO consider whether the
end to be achieved will justify such extra
! ordinary measures. Regarded in whatever
light We may, the annexation Of Cuba to
the United States is fraught with Difficult ties
and probable war. A majority Of The Gu
banos, themselves, are averse TO annexation
with US.
| Under these circumstances, il may be
asked why our Government il so urgent
! why press Tie measure TO such extremIiies!
! The reply il, that she is forced upon the
! ground Of inevitable and unavoidable poll
( cy. The rich and productive soil of Cuba
forms but an insignificant part of tie con
slderalion, II is in view Of her gcographi
cal position, commanding the entrance to
the Gulf Of Mexico and capable of CON.
plete control over the immense commerce
and trade that springs from the valley Of
the Mississippi, Were Cuba in the hands
Of an hostile power, our Government would
be paralized to an extent that she cannot
contemplate but with the utmost concern
|. III 1t continues in the hands Of the mbccie
and unstable Spanish Government, or if the
latter turns it over 10 the rule of the free
negroes on the Island, rs she has vaunting-
ly threatened to do; in either event. the
| danger TO us is AS imminent as il II were ac-
iuaiy in tho power Of frsg class nation,
for as their alIay or pretended protector, a
British or French fleet would be as safely
moored in the Havannah m within their
own dominIons.
These are some of the considerations BY
which Congress is moved 10 the discussion
of the thirty million BILL II is plain that
we must have Cuba, or at least, guard it
from passing into the hands Of an enemy
Whether the measure before Congress is a
wise one, we leave for our Statesmen to
determine bet regarding 1t, or any other
move tendingfo the same end, as pr"ba.