Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-04-06
CUBA

ne question o1 the acquisition of the ls- land of Cuba, is not by any means, . new one. It has been discussed for the last if ty years. We give the remarks of some of the writers and statesmen of the coun- try of all shades of politics, to show that the position of the democratic party on this point has been indorsed by the coun- try for years.
 Mr. Forsyth said in lS22, while minis ter to Spain:
 "The possession of Cuba gave the com mand of the Gulf of Mexico"
 Mr. Jefferson, in 1923:
 "I candidly confess, have ever looked on Cuba as the most interesting addition which could ever he made to our system of States. The control which, with the Flo rida point, this island would give us over the Gulf of Mexico, and the countries and iSthmus bordering on it, as well as those whose waters flow into 1t. would fill up the measure of our political we'll being"
 Mir. Adams, in 1823
 Its Cuba commanding position with reference to tie Gulf of Mexico and the West India seas, etc., gives 1t an impor- tance in the sum of our national interests with which that of no other foreign terri tory can be compared''
 MT. Van Buren, in 1929:
 ''The government of the United States has always looked with the deepest inter- est upon the fate of those islands; but par ticularly of Cuba. Its geographical posi- tion. which places it almost in sight of our southern shores, and as it were, gives it the command of the Gulf of Mexico and the West India seas, its safe and capacous harbors, its rich productions, the exchange of which, for our surplus agricultural pro- ducts and manufactures, constitutes one of the most extensive and valuable branches of our foreign trade, render it of the ut most importance to the United States that no change should take place in its condi- tion which might injuriously affect our po- lltical and commercial standing in that quarter"
 Mir. Stevenson, in 1887, while Minister England:
 "The possession of Cuba by a great maritime power would be little less than the establishment of fertilization at the mouth of the Mississippi, commanding both the Gulf of Mexico and Florida, and con- sequently the whole trade of the western States, besides deeply affecting the interest and tranquility of the southern portion of the Union."
 Mir. Forsyth, in 1S40.
 "The United States have long looked with no slight degree of solieitude to the political condition of the Island of Cuba. Its proximity to our shores, the extent of its commerce with us, and the similarity of its domestic institutions with those prevail ing in portions of our own country, com- bine to forbid that we should look with in- difference upon any occurrences connected with the fate of that island. The Spanish Government has often been ap- prised of the wishes of the United States. that no other than Spanish dominion should be exercised over 1t, and scarcely need be told that our policy in that respect has un- dergone no change. *
 heVher attempted to be brought about by one or the other of the means al- iuded to, or by any other process. the United States can never permit # The Spanish Government is to bear in mind this fixed resolution on our mart and be- giyenfto ffnaehtand that it is taken npon niature denbeTation. and at All costs, to govern the conduct of the United States.Y
 " Should you have reason to suspect any design. on the part of Spain, to transfer voluntarily her title to the island, whether of ownership or possession, and whether permanent or temporary, to Great Britain or any other Power, you will distinctly state that the United States will prevent 1t at all hazards, as they will any foreign