Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1859-02-19
(Iinsman's Speach on the Cuba Que stion.

CIinsmnn's Spench OF the Cuba Question.
he remarked by stating the 9 Hi63 qSH!esion
All the British, French and Dutch Wesl
Indians, together with the possessions o.
those powers in Guinea. were not equal in.
trins'cally to that Island. He then proceed.
ca to demonstrate the failure Of that disas.
trous experiment ofcmacipation, saying tina,
the e'nacipated negroes have not vet become
the adm'rablc pcasartry and yeomanry tho
EvSllsh ab0ltionists prophesied. Compul.
sorry lalor vas necessary in. the tronics.-
While Cuba is kept in the grasp Of Spain
she cannot keep up her supply Of negro Ia
Dor ny surrcptitious slave trade, and the
Coo'!c system was worse. He then related
the horrors 81 the Coolic trade showing
these miserable creatures died at the rate OF
ten per cent per anum. and were mere raw
material TO he worked up into sugar.
In view Of the necessity Of a supply Of Ia
Dor, Cuba MIST soon follow St. Domingo or
become American. lie would not discuss
the effects Of the acquisition Of Cuba on our
own trade, manufacturing or agricultural in-
tcrest. Geographically considered, Cuba
would be destructive element in the hands
81 British ia case Of war between the Uni,ed
States and Great Britain. lie denied that
Spain was an independent nation. She had
sold her sovereignty in Cuba to Great Bril-
tain. There was . time when she would
not have felt insulted by an offer .ofmoney,
for Great Britain had paid her 6 5000 to
stop the slave trade, which she had not done
lie further denied that Cubans had pctitioned
to remain under the jurisdiction Of Spain
balllrar'> plan to assist Cuba in declaring
her independence fell through, because the
U. $. learning that Great Britain intended
to seize the opportunity Of her independence
to assume protectorate, intcrposea through
Mr.. Clay and prevented the movement,
Spain alarmed and placed the Island in a
state Of sciSc, and it has ever since 80 re.
manned under the dcspotisla Of a Captain
General who is invested like the commander
Of bcseiged city with Unlimited power OF
lie and property, yet we are tod that Gu
bans still seek to remain under this yoke
1t is not 80 they have done all they could
to throw it of. In 1926 there was rcyo t
there later was the conspiracy of the Back
Eagle, and later the attempts to gain her in.
dependency, familiar to all. In July, 1851,
a few patriots declared her independent in a
proclamation which Set forth intolerable grie-
vanccs. The fidelity Of Cuba to Spain was
only maintained by 10000 bayonets and the
fleets that watch her coasts The compari.
son between the oppressed, unarmcd Gu.
bans and the armed three millions Of on,
fathers is fallacious. Isl
All that the Cubans can do, they have
done. This being the case why should no,
Congress make an expression towards DUR.
chasing it :? He need not reply to The state
ment that the otfe: to purchase Cuba will
he an otlsnse against Spanish dignity
Everything that Spain held on this continent
hail been torn from her-cxcept Louisians
and Florida, both Of which were purchased
II England and France object. that is alone
controlling consideration for persisting-
Great Britain offered to buy Cuba in 1928
and in 1926 was at the bottom Of A plot tc
take it under her protection both failing
she now proposes tripartatc treaty between
herself, France and the United States, t.
guarantee that nobody but Spain shall have
it. AS to France what right has she to oh.
jet to our purchase Of Cuba? What inter.
polation into the law Of nations prevents the
requirement OF territory by purchase Ma
po'con's uncle bought Louisiana. As tc
Ensland--if she raises her voice Mr.. b
trusted our reply would be demand tina,
she account for her title to the Bay Islands
and whea Lord Clarendon pleads spontane
GUS settlement, that We shall claim the spon-
taneous settlement, Of Cuba: Cuba belongs
to the people and it is for them to say what
form Of government they will live under
We propose to purchase Cuba from Spain
but if Spain's dignity is offended, let us in.
vite her to grant independence to her sub.
jects and VIC will indemnify her for the out.
lay, trusting to a recompense ourselves in
the friendly relations that are sure to spring
mp; if she refuse to cedc her despotic grasp,
let the U. s. in the face Of the world, tell h.,
that on the first occasion which offers we
will extend to the Cubans the same aid which
England gave the other Spanish colonies in
their reyolt-tho same aid which France gave
nS !" .i'~ aertast day OF the Revolution.
II the Cubans prefer independence, We will
protect them, and if they prefer annexation
We will receive them with welcome.