The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-02-23
Difference,
S5,534,965 Il
S38,570524 9534
Difference,

as here shown, bears about the proportion o
one third of all her commerce; and yet on thai
third, S18,663,5 $50 SO, we pay three fifths, S3,
338, l2O 81 ofall the duties.
But, sir, the geographical position Of Cubs
without reference to any other fact, is enough
to decide the whole question. Remember that
Cuba lies in the very gorge Oft the Gulfof Mex
leo; that no vessel can enter, or find exit unit
she has passed the guns of Spanish fleets and
forts; that tie nation which controls Havana
now and henceforth and forever, must hold oul
immense property, as we'll as the lives of oul
citizens and the honor of our flag, at its OWL
discretion. The most truthful and famous o
travellers, Alexander Humboldt has described
this in language at once glowing and accurate
"That northern portion OF the sea Of the An.
titles known as the Gulf of Mexico, forms Q
circular bay Of more than two hundred and fifty
leagues diameter: as it were, Mediterranean
with two outlets, whose coasts, from Cape Flor
ida to Cape Catoche, in Yucatan, appertain ex.
clusively, at the present t me to the Coniedera
tions OF the Mexican States and of North Amer.
lea. The Island Of Cuba or more properly spea
king, that part of its shore between Cape Sar
Antonia and the City of Matanzas, situated neal
the entrance of the old Bahama channel, closes
the Gulfof Mexico on the southeast, leaving tt
the oceanic current We call the Cult Stream, NJ
other passages thar straight on the south, be
tween Cape San Antonio and Cape Catoche, and
the Bahama chanuel on the north, between
Bahia Honda and the reefs of Florida ...
| "Near to the northern outlet, and immediate
ly where multitude ofhighwayS thronginI
with the commerce Of the world cross each 9th
er, lies the beautiful port ofHayana strongly
defended by nature, and still more strongly for
tilted by art. Fleets sailing form this port bull
in part of the cedar and mahogany Of Cuba may
elend the passages to the American Mediterra
mean, and menace the opposite coasts, as thu
fleets sailing fiom Cadiz may hold the dominion
Of the ocean near the columns of Hercules. The
Gulf of Mexico and the old and new Bahama
channels unite under the meridian of Havana
On the Sd ofSeptember. 1888, when Grea
Britain acknowledged the independence oftht
United States by defnitive treaty. Spain haC
exclusive dominion of the Gulf of Mexico, ant
because she owned the entire coast, from thC
Cape of Florida to the Cape OF Yucstan. Hei
possession Of Cuba, at that time. was altogether
Iapprapriate On the S0th of April, 1903, tht
United States acquired Louisiana, from the Per
dido river to the Rio Grande, by treaty with
France to which Power Spain had added tht
province three years before and thus acquiring
an interest in the Gulf Of Mexico and its com
merce On the 22nd Of February 1919 Spain
ceded to us, by treaty, the provinces oil East and
West Florida; and obtained from US, in par
recompense, the country between the RIO Graod
and the Sabine river. Very soon afterwards
Mexico established her independence, AM
Spain ceased to be the owner ola single inch G
the Gulf coast. rs9.-a1r 81.
Texas separated from Mexico in 1885, assert
ing, and success sfullymaintaining independence
In December, 1S45, she was annexed to tn
United States; and in February, 1848, Mexic
cpded to us all claim on Texas, westward TO tn
Rio Grande, as we'll as the provinces Of New
Mexico and Upper California. In the sam'
year (1948) Yucatan asserted her independ
ence since which time that province new
er has been suhdued by Mexico; but has gradu
| ely re'a Sc nio tarbarism. " E-E.Ef ~.lrs
The present condition Of the Mexican repub
lic--and indeed, her condition for the last elev
en- years--is that of anarchy. retrogression, an,
ultimate ruin. Without regard, therefore, t
our duties imposed by the acquisition of Cali
fornia, and the colonization Of the Pacific coas
involving, as those duties must, the care of tn
| Tehuantepec isthmus, and all inter-oceani
routes--the United States have greater inter
est in the Gulf Of Mexico than any nation.--
Why, therefore, should Spain command us il
that quarter? She has no longer a colony OF
the Gulfcoast, nor does she contribute anythin
to its commerce. The possession Of New Or
leans by France, in 1900, was not as objection
able as the possession ofCuba by Spain has nov
become. 1t is possession by mers strictnes
of title, and without any reason or equitabI
consideration What would be our decision
nfa aoOdid M ta.Aou if Spaif, hol
repeatedly endeavored to purchase Gibralta
from Great Britain; and finding all such over
lures rejected, while the retention Of that for
tress by foreign Power constantly endangere,
the peace and welfare of her people, should de
liver herself nobly, at the point of the sword
! And yet SPAN has not a case ofsuch merit il
regard to Gibraltar, as We we now present il
regard to Cuba: for Spain is not alone ieterest
ed in the commerce Of the Mediterranean sea
and holds only small share ofitS coast; where
as, we own the Gulf of Mexico, practically, an,
are entitled to the key which locks and unlock
lit. ffaz4 49tsa4 IA s}ati4H s.sa a.gi
There is another fact worthy Of the utmos
consideration. While Spain thus controls a
mercy, and without any reason, the commerc
and the necessary defense of our western ant
ouihern States; while she violates (as hav
shown) oil the obligations of comfy and fair in
terconise between neighbors, it is, nevertheless
impossible for us to avoid relations with her,
| The winds and the waves continually compli
cate the difficulties caused by her position 10
wards u.s.. Vessels engaged in tho trade OF tn,
Gulf sailing to or from Galveston, M Orleans
Mobile, or Pensacola, are often compelled Il
seek refuge in, the ports o Cuba, or be wrecked
upon its shore; and often, in such cases, tn,
gravest outrage is perpetrsted by the Spansl
notwithstanding on the law Of hospitalii,
acknow ledged By all nations; outrage caused
nins times in tsnsdby sheer wantenness ant
malice. Cuba has no constitutional, Or evel
responsible, government; neither the inbahitant
Of the island nor foreigners, whether sojourniD,
i there from choice or necessity, have the leas