Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-01
ASouthern Democratic Argument
against Territorial Expansion gem
orally, and against the Acquisition
of Cuba in particular.


orally, and against the Acquisition
of Cuba in particular.
u The Ndtio,rqt LateHigencer, at the request of
some "Soutbern friends, ;" reproduces speech
delivered by Mr.. BoYcE, of South Carolina,
in the House of Representatives, on the 18th
of January 1855, on the subject of terrific
rial expansion generally, but more particu-
= larIy on the Cuba question.
"a feverish mpatience, said Mr.. B.-seems
to be seiZing upon our people for territorial
extension, In some quarters the cry IL for
the Canadas. Upon this point we have been
Informed by a leading member from Ohio,
(Mr. Campbell) that the people upon the
Northern Frontier look with deep feeling to
the annexation of the British Provinces Of
North America. In other quarters the cry is
for the Sandwich Islands; some are wishing
for another parstion of Mexico; others are
looking to the regions watered by the mighty
Amazon; more are bent upon the acquisition
- of Cuba, and some have such inordinate
stomachs that they willing to swallow up
the entire continent. These are all but va
riOus phases of the manifest destiny idea. L
INST confess do not sympathze with this
id II. L think true mission is conserva-
ti5n, not indefinite extension.
"a Why do we desire further extension, asked
Mr.. BoYCE? Do need any more territory?
H. Ga the north we lose ourselves on the verge
of eternal snews; on the south penetrate
to the fierce heats of the equator; upon the
east and the west pause only on the beach
of the two great oceans of the world. The
United States are ten times as large "a Great
Britain, Ireland and France combined; three
times as large as the whole of France Great
:, Britain, Ireland, Austria, Prussia, Spain,
Portugal, Belgium, Holland and Denmark;
and nearly equal to the whole of Europe. If
81 y, 10 fnr 10 av t.r
enough, we certainly have it, and whatever
else we may need, We do not need any more
space.
Do need more population? Why, our
~ population is already near thirty millions,
and increasing at velocity so fearful that
the bodest must trcmble for the future. Oar
= annual increase is million, and if we in
crease for the next century in the same ratio
we have for the last sixty years, our pOpula-
ton will be within a fraction of five hundred
90 millions. Instead of d, string more popula-
ton, we would be most fortunate if we could
remain at what we nation has sniff
= Gent population when it is able to protect
itself from external force We have already
fully reached that point.
1t is very clear that, do whatever else we
may we have nothing to gain by annexing
more territory, to increase our population by
foreign supply. If we do not need any
more territory, or any extraordinary addition
of population by the acquisition of territory,
then the annexation of Cuba cannot be urged
upon either of these grounds. Upon what
grounds, then, can it be urged? Perhaps it
may be urged upon the ground that il is nee
es5ary to us as military position to protect
our commerce. But he could not admit this.
q Assuming that it was the settled policy of
this country not to permit Cuba to pass from
Spain into the hands of any of the great
European Powers we have nothing to fear
from Cuba. We have strong positions at
Key West and Tortugas, which now
terrifying, and which can be rendered i'm.
pregnable.
So far from the acquisition of Cuba strength
- ening us in military point of view, he
q thought it would be Of Infinite
weakness. Maritime colonies to a nation of
secondary naval force always drawbacks.
Where did England strike her great rivals,
France and Holland? Not in the heart of
their dominions, but in their extremities-
their colonies.
Before we determine upon the policy OF
acquiring maritime colonies, should con-
slider whether willing to pour out
indefinite millions to build up such a navy
will enable to contend with the great
Powers for the supremacy of the seas? If
not, then indeed, would it be a short-sighted
policy to acquire such colonies, which we
would hold by the uncertain texture OF Eu-
ropean tolerance.
He admitted that the acquisition of Cuba
would extend our commerce by furnishing
od an increased market for certain agricultural
~ productions of the Middle and Northern
States and the manufacturers of the Eastern
States, and to the extent OF this increased
trade. and even beyond it, under the pre-
gfference given to our own vessels in the coast
= ing trade, the shipping interest of the North
-au would be benefited. Under the influence of
these several causes and others which could
be presented, he had no doubt the free States
would make great deal of money out of
Cuba, if annexed. But he could not on that
account, forego the objections he had to the
acquisition OF Cuba on other grounds. vi
Besides, while considering the advantage
which certain great forms of industry at the
North would derive from the acquisition, be
could not forget thai acquisition might
paralyZe tne vast slave Interest At the south
s. engaged in raising sugar.
The whole argument for the annexation of
Cuba, in national point OF view, might be
summed up, in the four propositions be had
been considering ! More territory. 2. More
population. g. Military position. A. More COM
merce, e,.-EF sea 81 aea saee9
The first three had 10 merit. The last
had some merit, but was entirely outweghed
by other considerations. Ga national grounds,
sss them the measure inexpedient. 81
As Southern measure, forit was supported
as sach by many at the South, he would be
able 10 show that 1t would be, under exist
ing circumstances, most perilous measure
the South.
a.. Mr.. BoYcE then proceeded 10 argue that
the acquisition of Cuba could not benefit the
South il. the manner taat the annexation Of
Texas had done--by furnishing wilderness
where the people Of the South conld 90 and
improve their condition. and by furnishing
stable political community, reliable upon the.
o slavery issue.
Cuba is an old aud settled country, and
populoas, too Theiandsin IL are necessarily
eto n very great extent in Tie hands OF private