The Feliciana Democrat., 1859-02-26
THE ACQUISITION OF CUBA.

The Democratic journals of the United States are
speaking out with almost uncxamplcd unanimiy
and emphasis upon the subject of the annexation of
Cuba. Annexation of territory, as has been well re-
marked, is no new thing in this country. The first
example in the way of annexation was the purchase
Of Louisiana from the French in 1903. The second
was the purchase Of Florida from SPAIN The third
and fourth were the conquest of California and the
purchase of Arizona from Mexico
Although there was no constitutional provision for
such an emergency in the first case yet the
very necessity of the circumstance was sufficient to
establish 1t as precedent for those which were to fol-
low II was with much hesitation that the old fathers
of the Republic consented to assume power not cx.
prcssy granted to them by the Constitution 1t was
an emergency which had not been forcsccn and provi-
dcd for In that instrument. But there was n higher
power" which demanded the action and in obedience
to the unanimous will of the national domain by bar
gain and sale.
Thus the precedent was established. II was easier
to acquire Florida by the means for IL had It's
example. The conquest Of California. the first con-
quest which the conqueror generously paid for in
gold and silver well us with the blood Of It's sol.
dicrs was a cool and practical act of craftsmanship
uIu NlsuuIu. iHe pUICHusc VI tTuLOHu WIS u mere
bargain between the needy bandits who rule in turn
in the distracted capital of our sister Republic and
the Government of our own prosperous land, whic,
In the local advantages of more direct route to
the Pacific through our own Territories more cor.
responding value The requirements of territory
from Mexico were not Of imperions necessity They
were based partially upon advantage and convenience
and partially upon a sentiment which ever pcryadc,l
the breast of republican pcoplc-a sentiment which
has just commenced lis career upon this continent
but which is awakng TO destiny such as history has
never yet recordcd-he pride of power and the glo.
ry of dominion.
The ownership Of Louisiana was national ncccs.
sity The proprictorship Of Florida was equally So
They were adjacent to our territory and bordcrel
along our unprotected frontiers, and were tcnantcd
by savage tribes, who executed the bloody behest of
an unrestrained and avarcious ruflianism or they
blocked the passage Of the great river which was the
highS way and the outlet of one.half of the Republic
and could have imposed such burdens upon western
commerce as their caprice or annoyance might have
dictated.
The policy Of these requirements has long since
vindcated itselfin the judgment of the country No
living would gainsay the wisdom of the act,
VI NC coIlr'ucIallon, TctTaIlslcT
those invaluable possessions to tie crowns of France
and Spain.
II is the same policy which dictates TO us the ac.
quircmcnt of Cuba. In the intervening years Of the
half century which has elapsed since the Louisiana
purchase, the great valley of the Mississippi has be-
come the heart Of the Republic, and upon the bosom
of its matchless river floats the commerce of twenty
sovereign States. Step by step the empire has pro
gresscd in its western course, towns and cities
have arisen. new ports opened, agriculture and man.
ulacores have spread over vast eypanse of conti-
nent, the southern boundary has gradually moved
down the shorces of the Gufunl its waters have be.
come almost locked in the embrace of our own do.
mnions-an American barbor. ms il were whose por.
tai and whose key still rests in the hands of despot
II prince.
The Island Of Cuba commands the entrance and
can control the commerce o: this mighty outlet
Year after year the pride and the sercspcct of our
citizens have been humblcd and outraged by the ar.
rogant and irresponsible conduct of the Cuban officials
To be insnlted by these mnons of proud but de.
graded race, to be wrongcd to be plundcred and
when apology or remuneration is asked, be pointed
to slow, naughty and unheeding government across
the wide Atlantic, has been borne long as an equal
ly proud, but patient, prompt and prosperous ncoplc
can well bear With the steady expansion of the ter
ritoral domain, with this fast rising power, the tide
wave must roll over the ever faithful Isle" and the
star of Cuba be added to the galaxy of American
States.