Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-04-28

the United States is not an independent and
safe nation, because Cuba is not part Of
it. On the contrary, believe that we are
quite capable Of self-defenoe, even If the
Queen of the Antilles; were province of
England, France or Russia; and surely
while it remains an appendago of q com
paratively feeble nation, Cuba has much
more cause 10 fear us than we have to fear
Cuba. In fact, gentlemen, l cannot help
doubling the honesty of the cowardly argu-
ment by which We are urged TO rob poor old
Spain of this last remnant OF her Western
empire, for fear that she might use it 10 rob
us.
But suppose we could get, honestly and
peaceably, the whole of the country-cOn-
tinental and insuar-from the Rio Grande
to the Orinoco, and fror. Trinidad to Cuba,
and thus establish cur mare clduSunl, and
shut the gate OF the world across the 18th
mus, can we govern them wisely and well?
For the last few years, in the attempt to
govern our home Territories OF Kansas and
Utah, we have not very well maintained the
dignity and justice Of the nation, nor secured
the peace and prosperity Of the subject peo-
pie. Can we hope to do better with the
various mixed races of Mexico, Central and
South America, and the WestIndia Islands?
Some of those countries have been trying
for fifty years 10 establish republican gov
ernments on our model, but in every in
stance have miserably failed; and yet, there
was no obstacle 10 complete success but
their own inaptltude.
For my part, should be grieved to see
my country become, like Rome, conquer
ing and dominant nation; for l think there
are few or no examples in history, Of Gov
ernments whose chief objects were glory
and power, which did ever secure the hap
piness and prosperity of their own people.
Such Governments may grow great and IA
nous, and advance few of their citizens
10 wealth and nobility; but the price of their
grandeur is the personal independence and
individual freedom Of their people. Still
less am | inclined to see absorbed into
our system, "on an equal footing with the
original States" the various and mixed
races amounting 10 know not how many
millions, which inhabit the continent and
islands south Of our present border. l au
not willing to inoculate our body politlc
with the virus Of their diseases, political
and social-diseases which, with them, are
chronic and hereditary, and with US could
hardly fail TO produce corruption in the
head and weakness in the members.
Our own country, as it is, in position
form and size, is wonder which proclaim,
a wisdom above the wit Of man. Large
enough for our posterity, for centuries Il
come: All in the temperate zone, and there
fore capable Of homogeneous population
vet so diversified in climate. and soils, as Il
produce everything that is necessary TO th,
: comfort and wealth of a great people
) Bounded east and west by great oceans
and bsected in the middle by & mighty riv
er, which drains and fructfies the continent
and binds together The most southern an;
northern portions of our land by bont
stronger than iron. Besides all this, it i
new and growing strongest on the con
tinent, with no neighbor whose power !
fears, or of whose ambition it has cause t.
be jealous. Surely such country is grea
emo Ugh and good enough for all the ends o
honest ambition and virtuous power.
1t seems TO me that an efficient home
loving Government, moderate and econom
ical in IFS administration, peaceful in its OBJ
iect., and Just to all nations, need have nC
fear of invasion OF home or serious aggres'
sion abroad. The nations Of Europe have
to stand continually in defence Of their ex.
istence; but the conquest of cur country b.
foreign power is simply impossible, ant
no nation is so absurd as TO entertain III
f thought. We may conquer ourselves By
{ local s,rifes and sectional animositiesj ant
D when, by our folly and wicksdness, we hav'
accomplished that great ealamity, Their
$ will be none TO pity US for the consequence
Of so great crime.
IF our Government would devote all ii
, energies to the promotion Of peace and friend
ship with all foreign countries, the advance
e ment of commerce, the increase Of agricul
ture, the growth and stability of manufac
lures, and the chsapening, quickenirg ant
securing the internal trade and travel o
!, our country-in short, If it would devote it
4 self in earnest TO the establishment Of wis
# and steady policy Of internal government
think we should witness growth and con
, soldation Of wealth and comfort and powe
L for good, which cannot be reasonably hopet
:, for from huctuating policy, always watch
: ing for the turns Of good fortune, or from
r graspine ambition to seize new territories
which are hard TO get and harder 10 govern
III