St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-07-21
Cuba and Acquisition.

The ex-Minister to Spain, Mr.. Dodge,
in letter of some length, gives his
views upon the acquisition of the
Island of Cuba, and INDUCES in the
hope that Spain will sell, though not
just now. He is earnest that Con-
gross should always keep in advance
the appropriation of some millions
therefor, and thinks that if this is
done, Spain will at last sell.
No man has had better opportuni-
ty to judge of Spain and Spanlards,
for, Notwithstanding all that has been
said in the United States to the con-
trary, he held high position there
and we are therefore the more sur
prised to see him holding out the idea
of sale, when, as it has seemed to
us, there is scarcely Spaniard in all
Spain who ever thinks or dreams Of
thus, as he calls it, selling out and
degrading his country" No party
could exist for an hour in Spain, that
would think of selling Cuba. The
Queen herself is not strong enough
upon her throne to carry through q
sale.
The holding of Cuba is now a mat.
ter Of pride to Spain, as well as of
profit. 1t is not only the last of her
American possessions, and therefore
the more cherished, but it is a foun-
tain of trade and Of commerce and a
source of profit. Besides, it provides
places for the emigration and enter
prize of the country, where worn out
fortunes can be recruited, or new
wealth can be won. Nor is Spain so
poorly off that she needs sell. The
country itself is more prosperous than
it has been for fifty years. Railroads
are opening in all directions peace
and order are at length obtained, and
there is security for travel in almost
all the Provinces.
Mr.. Dodge concludes his long letter
as follows:
al would that we could to-day pre-
sent an nnbroken front in favor of the
acquisition of Cuba, and that Con
grcss, clcvating itself above the mis-
cradle party and sectional controver
sizes of the day, would strengthen the
arm of the Executive, as it did in the
; days of Jefferson ! thus showing that
union between the Legislative and
Executive branches of our Govern
ment, without which the great meas
ures in question can never be accom-
plished. Let this course be pursued,
or let it proclaim to Spain and to the
world, that we will not receive Cuba
on any terms, and thus put an end tc
the exertions and hopes of those who
have been so long striving for its &C
question:
The Dubuque Times thinks Gen
Dodge is anxious to show that he il
in no manner behind Mr.. Buchanan Of
any other Pro-Slavery Democrat, il
his zeal for the acquisition Of Cuba
He even says that he approves to the
fullest extent of the Presidents Cuban
policy, and watched with the utmos
regret, the defeat of the Slidell $50
600, geo bill. All this is. undoubtedly
so. Dodge, having been devoted al
his life long to the increase of tho
Federal power of the Shareholders
the people of Iowa had reason to ex
pect that sympathy, association, and
ordinary gratitude would drive hin
into that sort of utilization. But when
our late Minister to the Court of Cas-
tile talks about promoting the nation
al prosperity by Strengthening the
arm of the Executive, that's cutting
the thing rather loo fat Why, mere
ly by welding the power which he al
ready possesses, the Executive has
driven tens of thousands of the con
scientious portion of The Democratic
party into the ranks of the Opposition
and forced the country to the very
verge of civil war. The frauds, rob
berries, assassinations, murders, and ;
general system of marauding prac
ticed under the very protection of the
Presidents agents in one of the Terri
tories of the United States, has no
tended to elevate the confidence of til,
country in his fitness to exercise arbi
trary power. Mr.. Jefferson honora
bly, acquitted himself Of the extraor
binary trusts committed to him fol
the acquisition of foreign soil bu
Mr.. Buchanan is not Mr.. Jefferson
The latter might induce the people t.
, look beyond party in such emergen
cies but the former can't begin t.
get the confidence even of his ow1
, party!
Mr.. Dodge may be man of some
/. endurance, but he can't carry Jim Blu
chanan and John Slidell on his bacl
through the State of Iowa.
: The SerenaderS of Floyd.
MEssRs EDIroRs Permit us, through