Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-21
Mr. sIidells Cuban Proposition.

. S.pI.'NbV.''' ~ bi -.
chase of Cuba" in the hands of the Presl-
dent. is treated by the press with a superb
rial comment scarcely more satisfactory than
the marked Indifference 10 its passage or re-
lection which seems to possess both Houses
~ofCongress, with regard to most of the start
linz propositions. Executive or Legislative IN
their origin. which have distinguished the
present session of COngress.
Mr.. SlidclIs proposition will not, however,
we sincerely trust, be allowed to pass through
default of opposition, or by sutferance. The
serious financial embarrassment in which
it cannot fail to involve us, offers a very
serious obstacle to "A scheme which affords
no perceptible promise of countervaillng ad-
vantageS.
When a proposition is made to raise the
public debt, (which, twelve months ago, stood
ut CO., by Il single camp, to SlOO,0OO,OOO, we
have the right to demand some substantial
evidence of good to be accomplished, OF bene-
fit to be derived. What is the immediate oh
jcct or necessity 10 be met by this appropria-
ton Of money t. coax Il purchase? The sum
offered, however important at this time to
our depleted treasury. is entirely too insight
tirant to tempt the cupidity of Spain. 1t is
not even pretended that this S3O,000.0O o
would be regarded as Il sufficient equivalent
for the purchase of Cuba. Indeed, it is re-
garded as a mere 'instalment" by the pro-
poser himself.
In what manner. then, is this instalment to
be rendered an inducemcnt to Spain for the
sale of Cuba? In the earlier years of our
Republic. when the g%alyanic wire of Alexan-
der Hamilton had scarcely revived the pal
lid corpse Of public credit, when our Govern
ment was as Yet Il mere experiment, when
the permanently of the Union was as doubt
full and more doubted than the solvency of the
treasury, it was natural that foreign nations
should demand some pledge in the way of
neutrality-suspicious., before negotiating
for the tranfcr Of valuable Territories. Blu
now. will it be pretended that Spain doubts
or can doubt the ability of the Federal Gov
ernment, to raise and appropriate without
delay or impediment the whole sum however
large. which may, and whenever it may be
required for the purchase of Cuba?
Why, then, shall the appropriation DO
made. If it is intended rs Il link in the pol
icy of practical argument by which 1t is at
tempted to force on us an increase OF tariff
dutics-that line Of vicious management
which would increase expenditures, present
and prospective, for the purpose of increasing
the rates of taxation, only for the ultimate
purpose Of stimulating certain branches OF
industrial pursuit at the expense of all other
pursuits and occupations. then we owe it to
ourselves and to the principles of the party
to which we owe our honest loyalty, to crush
thi. b~antling rs remorsclcssly as re would
aSSail the protective system itself. Nay, the
,,oI;E,i,,, .,i,r ~ c.or,olv pnsagSary fnr
whatever my be the intent of Mr.. SlidclPs
proposition. it, ten1ency of domestic influence
is obviously what we Indicate.
But there is another superstition, the most
probable Of all. and one which will not fail to
receive immediate credencein Europe, to the
exclusion ofall others; that this appropriation
is intended. not as m instalmentofa round sum
to be fixed by a future treaty rs the amount
OF purchase money to be paid over to Spain,
but a bonus to be employed in secret negotia
ton with Spanish officials, 80 as to induce
the accomplishment of u treaty of purchase.
We will not pause to discuss the morality
of such an arrangement, nor the probability
of such intent. Whether this be the intent
or not, it will at once be recognized as such
by European diplomatists, and this alone will
Lc sufficient 10 delay the acquisition of Cuba.
The ostentatious publicity which has unfor-
%tunately been given TO diplomatic documents
hearing on this question, and the loose, vague,
devil-mav-carc tone Undetermined rashncss
and underlined purpose which has marked
Congressional discussions on the same sub
iect. have already served to awaken and irri-
tate the selfish apprchcnsiOns OF England and
France. t. call into exercise all their resources
of diplomatic management and powerful in
fuence at the court of Madrid, to arouse in
Spain If not in Cuba. all the opposition OF
national jealousy. Wehave ostmuch ground
both as regards time and international conf
dcnce, by inopportune movements for the ac-
QUESTION Of Cuba.
At present. an abstinence from all public
demonstration. if not an entire mastery in
activity" is what is needed 10 ripenth this fruit
of territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
There are more reasons than one to Justify
such Il conservative course, and to require its
adoption. In order to succeed in any one of
the great objects Of dumcstic or home policy,
we must rctrrmch not only the present rates OF
expenditure, hut also the extrayagant list OF
MAGNIFICENT schemes which has received the
sanction of TN" Executive. TO accomplish
anytIin"at all. wcmust refrain from attempt
my Too iIllltil. lUt EItul Nhpoi''H' iihA'Si'
with all the resources of an empire at his sole
command, never v%entured the simultaneous
accomplishment of 80 many daring projects.
The acquisition of Cuba. at Il minimum cx-
prnse Of 500. 900. 900: the construction of a
Pacific railroad, at perhaps double the figure;
q Mexican prutrctorate: international pre-
ponderancc in Central America. in spite of
all the Powers Of Europe; the submission OF
distant South American States; the rcpulse
of u~nwarruutablo demands. in which the
selfish British policy OF foreign encroachment
is deeply Interested: the enlargement of the
navy: n largely increased standing army; a
vital rc-actionary change in the mode OF col.
Letting revenue, directly opposed 10 the
current of free trade sentiment which Is now
drawing into its channel all the nations OF
the earth: IA gigantic financial revolution,
which contcmpIateS a transfer OF all the
mower over banking and industrial corpora
lions. from the hands ofthc States 10 those OF
the Federal Government, involving a monopo-
" Of monetary command at the centres OF
tradr:-what Government on earth could
possibly meet all the exigcncles Of such u
flood Of innovations? What treasury could
afford the drain required to supply it?
No, this sort Of thing is out OF the ques-
ton. This chasing after q multitude OF OBJ
iects, will inevitably lose US everything OF