Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-01-25
The Cuban Question.

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The Cuban Question.
The great question now before the country
is the ACQUISITION of Cuba. President Buoh-
snsn urges the matter in his message, and Dem
ocratic politicians generally seem to regard it as
a fixed fact that we are to have the Island The
only points discussed are when and how we are
to get it. These certainly are important prelim-
inaries.
The news which comes to US across the wa
tiers from England and France, is rather dicour-
aging, as regards peaceable acquisition hu-
NOR saws that the French Minister at Washing |
ton has lately given assurances OF good VIII TO-
wards the United States, but the condemnation
of our policy in reference to Cuba, by the
French press is so universal and violent as to
induce the belief that Count Ssrtiges is not
privy to the designs of his master. This, how
ever is neither here nor there. 1t should be a
matter of the smallest possible consequence to
us what England and France think, say, or will
do, provided we wish to buy, and Spain wishes
to sell, and the Cubans wish to be sold. Here
highly indignant at the Presidents proposition,
and vented their wrath in the choicest Spanish
abuse of American presumption and rapacty
but now they regard it as the "best joke OF the
season" and are ready to split their sides laugh
ing. Still we must have Cuba, and the ways
and means are to be provided. ThePresidentre-
commends negotiation and purchase. Mr.. Sill
dell proposes to place in the Presidents hands
the sum of thirty millions of dollars to begin
with. How this money is to be obtained from an
empty treasury is another matter, not yet deoi-
ded, and calculated tooreate as much merrimentin
this country as is now conyulsing Cuba. Spain
MAJ well turn upon her heel at the offer of thir-
ty millions, as young Sheridan did when his
father threatened to ''out him off with shil-
ling" "Where is the shilling to come from ~
asked the impertinent fellow.
But our ambitious statesmen are not to be de-
TERED from the acquisition of coveted piece of
property, by want of the money to buy or the
indisposition OF the owner to sell. Mr.. Cox, of
Ohio has no idea that Spain will sell Cuba, and
he looks therefore, 'to the orderly seizure of it.
it would DO very unreasonable and disorderly
for the old Grandee to kick up a fuss when we
seize upon his best plantation Mr.. Keitt, Of
South Carolina, also declares himself for the i'm
mediate acquisition Of Cuba, without negotia-
ton or ny ao,her tardy process. The claws
delay" has been the vexation of suitors from
time immemorial. Away, then, with the cob
webs of professional diplomatists Let US a.
dept Rob Roy's code at once
'"The good old rule, the simple plan,
That he may take who has the power,
And he may keep who can"
We have the right, Mr.. Keitt says, to declare
war against Spain right away. True, we are
not exactly prepared for war, and may have to
encounter the powerful armies and nayies OF
England and France, as well as the forces Of
Spain; but what of that's One American is al
ways counted a match for ten or o dozen British
or French
Senator Douglas plan, however, is worthy Of
consideration. lie goes for taking advantage Of
another "Black Warrior" case ''to seize the isl
and by way of reclamation, and negotiate after
wards" This plan reyerses the we'll known rule
of "a word and blow" and prescribes the
blow first but it is all the better on that &C.
count. The Senator's allusion is to the affair Of
the steamer "Black Warrior" United States
vessel, which was detained in the port of Haya-
ma for a violation of soma local revenue law
The plan recommends itself by the facility with
which the pretext can be gotten up. "Another
Black Warrior oase," or any number of them,
can be furnished to order at ten days notice.
Theonly doubt is whether, having the justify
cause, we shall be- able 'to seize the island"
and hold it, without its costing in the end more
than it win be worth to Us.
But, seriously, proposition of this kind, com
ing from United States Senator, is an omnious
indication of the state of public morals. We are
glad to see that Messrs. Mason and Hunter, of
Virginia, Mr.. Davis, of Mississippi, and other
Senators excepted strongly to the morality of the
suggestion. And now if all Of these gentlemen
would suspend their efforts to obtain Cuba till
Spain expresses willingness to sell, our respec
liability as q nation in the eyes of theNworld
would be vastly promoted. raa.a
A private letter from London, published in a
New York paper, takes off in good style our talk
about selling Cuba. The writer says the Brit
ish Government has determined to establish q
great empire in North America, in connection
with Canada. But to carry out this design the
possession of the State of Maine is essential, and
the British have decided to take it by force, if
their reasonable representations to the Cabinet
at Washington, backed by the offer of liberal
pecuniary indemnity, should fail
Increase Of Postage.
1t is stated that the Committee of the y. S.
Senate on the Post Office, have agreed, by q vote
offour to three to report in favor of Mr.. Hunters
bill for reform in the postage laws. This bill
proposes to abolish the frenking privilege on all