Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-02-03
The Cuba Question.

MIR. .Slidell, from the Committee on For
eign Affairs, TO whom was referred The
bill making appropriations 10 facilitate the
acquisition Of Cuba, and said: II is not con.
sidered necessary by the committee 10 en-
large upon the vast Importance Of the ac-
QUESTION OF Cuba. Its ultimate acquisition
may be considered a fixed purpose Of the
United Staies-a purpose resulting from
geographical and political neces sites, which
have been recognized by all parties and
Administrators, and in regard 10 which
the popular voice has been expressed unan-
imously in favor. The purchase and an
nexation of Louisiana led, as a necessary
corrallary, 10 Florida, and both point with
unerring certainty to Cuba. What The pos
session Of the mouth Of the Mississippi was
10 the West, Cuba will become to the nation.
Our leading statesmen have endearored,
with steadiness and perseverance, to hasten
the consnmmation Of this project. % -rlf
The report here quotes the opinions Of
jefferson, Adams, Clay, Van Buren, Buc-
htnan, in his dispatch TO Saunders, Everett
in his celebrated letter 10 Sartises, and
Marcy's dispatch to soule. From these
authorities it is manifest that the ultimate
acquisition Of Cuba has been long regarded
not only as desirable but inevitable. The
only difference is, in The time, mode and
conditions Of obtaining it. The law of our
national existence is growth, which we can
not disobey, while we should not unduly
stimulate it, and should be careful not TO
impose upon ourselves regimen so strict
as 10 prevent lis healthy development.
England, France and Russia are all ex-
panding by the same law of progression,
but their growth is the absorption of weak
er powers, while ours is the result Of geo.
graphical position, higher civilization and
greater aptitude for government. We have
neither the right nor disposition 10 find fault
with this; SO let England pursue her an
nexa,ion in India, France in Africa or the
Rhine, Russia subdue barbarous Asia. and
We shall look on their progress, il not with
favor, at least with Indifference. We claim
on this hemisphere the same privilege
We repeat that the acquisition Of Cuba is
but question OF time. The fruit that was
not ripe in Quincy Adams day is now ma
ture, and the question is, shall it be plucked
by friendly hand prepared TO compensate
its proprietor with princely guerdon, or
shall it fall tothe ground. AS Spain can
not long maintain her grasp, there are but
three alternatives. 4.r
First-the possession of Cuba by one of
the great European powers, which as in
compatible with our safety, and must con-
sequsptly be resisted. ,.., --......
Second-The independence Of the island,
which would result IN protectorate, more
or less disguised. If under ours, annexa-
tion would follow: if under European, civil
and servile war would result.
Third-The question, how is this 10 be
done, can only he answered-by conquest
or negotiation. Conquest, even without the
of other powers than Spain,
would be expensive, and with such inter-
ference, it would involve the whole civil /.
lized world in war. Purchase, then, is the
only practicable course, but that cannot be
attempted with success, unless the Presi- !
dent be clothed with the powers TO negotiate
and pay, as he suggested in his message
Much has been said of the danger of con- 4
iiding such powers 10 the Executive, but
we have three examples, in the purchase Of
Louisiana, Florida and Mexico.
Much has also been said of the indelicacy, /
also that the offer will wound the Spanish
pride, and be rejected with contempt. For
many years our desire for the purchase of
Cuba has been known to the world. We
now simply say 10 Spain, you have a dis.
ant possession held by precarious tenure
which is almost Indispensable TO US for the
protection of our commerce, and which may
rom its peculiar geographical position, the
character ofits population and the mode in
which they are governed, lead at any time
% a rupture which both nations would de.
precate. This possession yields you net
revenue not amounting on the average Of a
series of years 10 the hundredih part of the
price ne offer. True, you hare refused 10
'ell heretofore, but circumstances are chang
ing daily, and our offer may now be more
acceptable than in lS4S. .' rai 5as
Should war break out in Europe, Spain
AN scarce hope to escape being involvsd-
hs- Cubans may seize the opportunity to
proclaim their Independence. Further, our
Minister will lot broach the sssa ajcst. Of pur.
.hase till he has reason'to believeit will be
aysrably entertained Spain is country
" coup d 'etais and r,ronunciamepfos: the