Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1859-01-08
Seizure Of Cuba.

Inc pullcv OF acquiring the Island Ol
Cuba from Spain appears to be q pre-.
dominant idea with Mr.. Buchanan. 1t
is evident he has set his mind upon such
acquisition, and if the American people
are not destined to owe their gratitude
to him for adding this glorious gem of
the Gulf to orr Union, we arc deceived
in the signs of the day and mistake the
energetic character of the man who has
made it his purpose to achieve it.
Our readers remember the significant
move made in the House, the other day,
by Mr.. Davis, Of Mississippi, to seize
Cuba and hold it until the claims of our
citizens and our Government against
Spain were fully satisfied. It was in
reality a proposal, as the Washington
Union said, ito proceed against Spain
by attachment as an absent, a~bsconding
and fraudulent debtor" take possession
of the property before it is sequcstered,
and satisfy our own just and legal de-
mands.
The enemies Of the Administration are
ever ready to hold it responsible for the
Unions unpopular sentiments; then by
the same reasoning they must concede
that Mr.. Buchanan adopts the opinions
of that paper on Mr. Davis's motion rel
alive to Cuba. After enumerating the
wrongs inflicted on our citizens by the
Spanish Government, with the view of
bringing before Congress and the country
the exact nature. of our relations with
Spain," the Union thus concludes:
1--WE have sought redress and been
put off with infinite excuses from time
to time. Ready to commit wrong and
to infict damages, they are never ready
to do right. They have again and again
violated their own laws to do our people
injury; but they are never willing to
prove their integrity by disavowing the
acts of their officials and satisfying the
claims Of injured parties. They talk of
the pride Of their Kingdom, Of its past
glories and its present fame, and pro-
claim everywhere that the power and
the integrity of the Grown demand of
them that they shall hold Cuba, at what
ever cost. Meanwhile their creditors
are starving, their treasury is impover-
islled, and their Government a prey to
%contending factions and ambitious and
mercenary politicians.
"Mr. Davis proposes, under all the cir
cumstances, that the Federal Govern
ment shall notify Spain and demand
payment Of certain indebtedness, and, in
default thereof, that attachment issue
with directions to our naval constables
to sieze the Island of Cuba. In equity
Mr.. Davis is right. Spain has Justly for
feited all claim to Tie fovbcaranee 81. the
United States. The Island has been
Governed for twenty years on the idea
that England and France would not con-
sent to its falling into our hands. 1t
has been regarded as perfectly safe to
treat our people as barbarians and pc
rates; to arrest them, confiscate their
property, and even when pronounced i'll
nocent in criminal prosecutions, to re-
fuse not only to return their estates, but
make them pay enormous costs. The
whole judicial system of Cuba is in the
handB or under the control of the Cover
nor General. This is not the theory Of
the Government, bat it il it's practice;
SO that all authority, wherever aud by
whomsoevcr exercised, is . unit.n
In connection with this indignant Ian
guage, the public mind has been called
to another matter of no common import.
We mean the presence Of Lieut.. Gen.
Scott ON the Southern coast of the United
States, visiting our Notifications, in
specting their strength and directing q
thorough examination into their general
condition. The perambulations of the
Old soldier we believe are unknown to
The public, but it is nevertheless pretty
generally believed that his proceedings