Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-01-25

necessities which have been recognized BY all the
parties and Administrations, and in regard TO
which the popular voice has been expressed unan
imously. The purchase and annexation of Louisi-
ana led as a necessary corollory to Florida, and
both point with unerring certainty to Cuba. What
the possession Of the mouth oil the Mississippi was
to the West, Cuba would become to the Nation.
Our leading statesmen have endeavored with stead
iness and perseverance IL hasten the consumma-
ton.
There are quoted the opinions of Jefferson,
Adams Clay and Van Buren by Mr. Buchananlin
his despatch to Mr.. Saunders of Mr. Everett in his
letter 10 Count Sartiges; and of Mr. Marcy in his
despatch to Mr.. Seward. % From these authori-
ties it was manifested that the ultimate acquisition
Of Cuba had long been regarded as not only desir
able but inevitable. The only difference is the
time, mode and condition of obtaining The law
of our national existence is growth we can't dis
obey. While we should not unduly stimulate it,
we should be careful not to impose upon ourselves
a regimen so strict as to prevent its healthy devel
opments. England, France and Russia are all ex
panding by the same law of progression, but their
growth is the absorption Of weaker powers, while
ours is the result Of geographical position higher
civilization and greater aptitude of Government
We have neither the right nor disposition to find
fault with them, so that England pursue her an
nexations; France in Africa or to the Rhine Let
Russia subdue barbarous Asia and We shall look on
their progress if not with favor ct least with in
privilege. We repeat that it is but question of
time, the fruit that was not Iipe in John Quincy
Adams day is now mature, and the question is
shall it be plucked by friendly guerdOn Shall
it or shall it not fall to the ground as Spain can't
long maintain her grasp on 1t There are but
three alterations first, the possession of Cuba by
one of the great European powers, which is in
compatible with our safety and must consequently
be resisted. Second, The independence of the is
land which would result in a protectorate more or
less disguised. If under ours annexation would fol-
low, if under European, civil and servle would
ensu The third is annexation; and the question
is, how is this to be done! The answer is by
conquest, or negotiation. Conquest even without
the hostile interference Of other powers than Spain
would be expensive and with such interference
would involve the whole civilized world in war
Purchase, then, is the only practicable course,
but that can't be attempted with success un-
less the President be clothed with the powers
to negotiate and pay as he has suggested in
his message. Much has been said OF the dam
ger of confding such power to the Executive,
but we have three examples-in Louisiana,
Florida and Mexico.
Much has also been said of the indelcacy Of the
offer; that it would wound the Spanish pride and
be rejected with contempt. For many years has
our Lesire to make the purchase been known to
the world. We simply say to Spain on have
distant possession held by precarious tenure
which is almost indispensable to US for the protec-
ton of our commerce, and which may from its pc
cuar geographical position, character, population
and mode in which it is governed, lead at some
time to a rupture which both nations would depre-
cate. This possession yields you a nett revenue
not amounting on any average Of a series Of years
to onehundredth part Of the price offer you for
it. True, you have refused to sell hitherto, but cir
cumstaDces are changing daily and our offer may
now be more acceptable than in lS4S."
Should war break out in Europe Spain could
scarcely hope TO escape being involved in it. and
the Cubans would seize the opportunity to pro-
claim their independence; further, our Minister
will not broach the subject of the purchase till he
has reason to believe it will be fayOrably entertain
ed. Spain Is q country Of coup d'etGtS and pro.
nunciamentOs. The Minister OF to-day may be a
fugitive tomorrow. With the forms of response
Bile government, Spain is q despotism sustained by
the bayOnet. Her fina cial condition is one of ex-
treme embarrassment, and the crisis may arise
wheneverthe dynasty may be overthrown, unless
large sum of ready money can be raised forthwith.
The President says we would not if we could ac-
quire Cuba, except by honorable negotiations and
he viii not depart from such a course unless cir
cuEstances, which he does not anticipate, render
the departure justifable and Overrulng the rule of
self justification.
He tells US it may be necessary to renew the
negotiations and make an advance without
awaiting its ratification by the Senate. This
in point of fact is an appeal to Congress for an
expression of its opinion on the proPnety of
renewing the appropriation.
Should We fail to give him the means he will
consider it an intimation that we do not desire
the acquisition of the Island.
The report then goes on to say that it, as has
been said, the Cubans do not desire the transfer
it would be very serious objection to tie mea-
sure but the Cubans would be less than men if
they were contented with their lot, and the
Committee have the best authority for asserting
that nearly the entire native population of Gu
ba desire annexation.
The report then proceeds at considerable
length to discuss the bearing of annexation on
the slave trade, urging that illegal traffic is now
confined to Cuba and Porto Rico, and that Spain
could have suppressed it as completely as Brazil
has done, but has not done so; therefore, those
who desire to extirpate the slave trade may find
in their sympathy tor the African, an incentive
to support this bill. In turning round, the "a
port proceeds to relieve the minds of Southern
gentlemen of their apprehension of harm to
their institution, from the different elements
Cuban society is made Of further adding that
the annexation would increase the comfort of
the slaves. Next the cireumlocution of
IIispano Cuban Diplomacy is considered and
condemned.
Statistics are cited 10 show the value
Of the Island, especially as it would give
US the monopoly of sugar, and finally, pur-
chase is recommended now as MEASURE Ct
economy. Since the reference of the bill to the
Committee, the President has announced that
no correspondence has been exchanged, and he
takes occasion to repeat that any negotiation
should receive the prior sanction of Congress
This emphatic reiteration throws upon Con-
gress the responsibility of failure if it be with
held, indeed the inference is sufficiently clear
that without some expression of opinion the
President will not feel justified in renewing tine
negotiations.
Mr.. Mason said it was understood that all
who concurred with the Committee in the pre-
sentation of this report did not concur in some
of its recommendations. The report had sta
ted that it is the policy of this Government to
extend its dOminions by successive acquisition
of Territory. He did not believe in such a
policy.
Mr. Seward, as the representative of the mi
nority Of the Committee, introduced bill call
ing on the President to transmit to Congress, at
the commencement of the next session, a state
ment of the relation then existing between this
country and Spain. The bill also requires the
statement of the condition OF the Treasury and
effective condition of the army and navy at that
time, so as to enable Congress to judge wheth-
er it may be necessary to adopt any eKtraor-
dinary measures to maintain the rights and in
terests ofthe United States in regard to Spain.
Mr.. Seward proceeded to show the financial
hindrances to the acquisition of Cuba The
action of this bill also conferred on the Presi-
dent powers which would compel the Senate to
ratify them if exercised. The bill was in dero-
cation of Senatorial powers. He had supposed
that political necessities would cause Cuba to
grsvitate TO the Continent, as has been stated
by illustIious statesmen, but their opportunity
had never presented itself, and he doubted five
had arrived at that point now. For ten years
- IL.