The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-27

there Sugar and coffee, aud all the tropical pfoduc-
tion we're then confined 10 the East Indies and the pos
session OF that trade made nations rich and powerful
Now it is different have idea that the trade N
teas and silks would Justify our making railroad two
hundred miles long Ii you could fill up the ocean, and
lay perfectly level railroad to-day from San Francisco TO
Shanghai il would DO benefit in this view, because
you bring products from Shanghai 20 New York
for ten dollars when feights low and for TWEEN
ty dollars ton at the customary eighs As the sena-
ator from Massachusetts, fully and satisfactorily demon
strated the otier day IL would be impossible TO carry
freight RAILROAD 10 Che Pacific. say, then that
such road cannot advance in obtaining the control
Of the trade in those products but we have all the
wealth which ever from the East Indies to-day at
our feet in the West Indies, and the only question
of foreign policy which is worthy Of the consideration or
American statesmen Is the tropical empire lying at our
feet and il ought 10 be declared to be settled pom
cynot by force not by violence not by deprving the
rghtfu Of their present possessonsto be the
American policy TO unite fast il can be fairly and hon
estly done, all the tropics under our Gag.
We have now the command of one % the great ele-
ments of human commerce-cotton. We have now the
command of the bread of the world. We have their
bread and their clothing Give us Cuba give the
West Indies, and shall command all the other wants
of the human shall control their commerce in
everything shall control their tonnage, and IL will
be of value TO the northern people than TO the
South II YIN bring competitor in tropical fruits and
sugar to portion of the southern States Cuba Is exactly
in the condition the most favorable possible 10 break off all
commercial restrictions for the benefit of New England
a very small extent, and pork not at all she has
manufactures; she has iron. She raises everything
that the North wants, and she would be the best Gus
toner in the world for every article of their industry
There is no production in New England that cannot find
a market in Cuba. There is lust The point for an
change of commodities from which the uost beneficial
commerce the world viii result Theref re,
say tho manufacturing States the gun-growing States,
have the greatest interest in this acquisition They can
get there sugar and coffee and West India fruits which
they sell TO all the world and increase their exports
They ctii esehango products with Cuba without duty
with entire internal free trade and there will be built up
home market for their manufactures, such market as
bc found in other habtable part OF tie globe
Here is natural exchange OF products arising nom 10
cality and climate and soil. II viii be natures com
morce bcneccnt prosperous beneficial To all engaged
in it, 1t does not need laws it docs not need resrc
tons il requires ingenuity TO show that that com
mcrce will bs beneficial 10 all concerned in it, os
pecally to the northern ala middle States it VIII not
benefit the South TO the same extent.
Some may think that go for it because by this means
we shall have one more slave State in the Union.
know that the senator from New York at the last SEES
sion all1ded to the comparative number OF savehodng
and slaveholdng StateG but never considered
that my rights lay there considered that held
my rights OF property by the votes of senator's u too
feeble tenure Ii did, have shown by my votes
that have not feared them. Whenever any State, Min
nesota Oregon any other came, no matter where
from if she principles which were sufficient in
my Judgment to justify her Abingdon into this great
family of nations have refuse tic the right
hand of fellowship did not inquire whether you nae
seventeen or eighteen free States If you had fifty, 1T
would alter my vote The idea OF getting one slave
State would bavB no 9f,eet But Cuba has fine
ports and with her acquisition we make first the
Gulf Of Mexico and then the Caribbean seai e1
sum Probably younger than you OF will live 70
see the day when flag shall float there except by per-
mission of the United States of America That Is my
poty | roee more with view to declare my policy
for the future that DEVELOPMENT, that progress through
out the tropics the true, fixed rnaerabc policy of
the nation matter what may be the consequences
with reference to European powers