Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-25

propitieus to- it's reaization.s The inhabitants
of the island themselves have just published
an emphatic protest against any sort of asso-
citation with the United States. Spain signi-
fies so passionate and invincible repugnance
to the eession of her title to the dependency.
that there is danger lest an approach with
that view be repulsed with rudeness which
may provoke retaliation, and so preciptate
hostilties. Above all, France and England,
the chief military and naval powers of the
earth. against whom we could not hold the
island a month, if by any chance we might
succeed in effecting a Judgement upon it.
France and England. have plainly admonish-
ed US that any present attempt to possess
Cuba will encounter their joint and deter
mined resistance.
Against this accumulation OF obstacles-to
whichwe should add the imminent hazard OF
servile insnrrection among the negroes of the
island-no sane man will pretend to see
possible chance for the Immediate acquisition
OF Cuba. The scheme is SO obviously and ut
terly chimerical, that no Senator, with
the infoi nation that may be derived from the
perusal of the newspapers, and with sagacity
enough to distinguish a palpable impossi-
bility, will pledge his reputation for the pur-
chase of Cuba at any price or by any ex-
pedient.
In this exigeucy, an Intelligent advocate of
Cuban annexation would recommend a very
Senatorial CAUCUS. Finding the occasion so
unfavorable to the attainment of his object.
he would be unwilling to persist in an abor-
tive enterprise, when the only effect of snch
irrational obStinacy is to multiply the diff
culties in his way, and 10 postpone success to
an indefinite period. He would avoid exas-
peratiRg the temper of Spain by a teaZing i'm
pOrtunity in matter already sufficient vxfe-
pugnant to her feelings. He would suspend
hIG Off for tha rf ha
either from pre-occupation with European
politics, or from mutual jealousies or a
change of policy, France and England might
oppose a less menacng resistance to the OK
pansion of American empirr. Especially
would he be reluctant to incorporate the
island with the United States 30 long as its
Inhabitants are averse from the connxtion-
Instead of the laundering impotence exhibit
ed by the Senatorial caucus. and the absurd
proposal for the purchase of Cuba, when ev-
erybody fOresees the indignant repulse of the
overture. he would counsel an apparent aban-
dOnment Of the project until more propi-
tiOus fortune shall suggest renewal of the
negotiations.
This is the policy which every sincere and
intelligent friend of Cuban annexation accepts
as the only course for the government under
existing circumstances.
Why, then. the extraordinary proposal to
/ hypothecatc the credit Of bankrupt treasv-
ry. for an object so plainly and hopelessly un-
attanable?
But, we object TO the measure on other
considerations. IT, in the judgment of we'll
informed people, the acquisition of Cuba
were a present possibility. we would still
protest against the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the
Executive by so ex0rbitant a supply of money
under such unsatisfactory restrictions. Mr.
Buchanan is person of unaspiring nature
and incorruptible integrity. We apprthend
no detrlment TO the republic from the
weapons with which c0nlidiug Congress
may armhim. But Senators should look beyond
the pecuilarities of an individual to the con-
sequences of prime pie. The precedent will
be fraught with incalculable evil The
powers of the Executive are already excessive
augmented by the possession of thirty
millions to be disbursed at the absolute dis
erection of the President without any practical
bic responsibility to Congress, they Will only
need the direction of a clear head and an
energetic spirit, to be adequated to any
purpose of usurpation. The government NAV
not always be administer, by dynasty of
patriots or imb"ciles. Hereafter President
with the genius of Jackson but without his
virtues, may demand $4,000 900 on some
prctext of state necessity; and by the corrup-
ton of the popular integrity and the unlaw-
full employment of the public forces, NAV ac-
complish the overthrow of our republican
Institutions.
II it were allowable to discuss so grave a
measure in the light of party expedicncy, we
would suggest that the Democracy could not
stand up under the burden of reproach to
which the proposition of the Cuba caucus ex-
poses them. The folly of the movement has
been detected already by the Opposition Jour-
mails; and they have raised an energetic
clamor of corruption against the dominant
party. If we proceed 10 Justify the charge,
the consequences will be disastrous to our
ascendency. Even now there is too much
ground of accusation against the Democracy
on the score OF eXtravagant and impolitic ex-
penditure An outlay Of 500 900 900 for
the support of governments deficit of several
millions in the annual accounts, and a rapid
Embarrassing public debt, are membranes
which the Democratic party will sustain with
difficulty, if at all. Every year we seem TO
drift farther and farther from the old land
marks of State-rights and Economy which
have hitherto directed onr policy Every
year we impair the force OF those republican
principles which, gave Us our hold on the
popular heart. and which have so far sustain
ed our ascendency. 1t is time the De!nucracy
were arrested in this progress of degeneracy
and decay; else they will Toe precipitat,d from
power sooner than the advocates and
bencliciaries of prodgal expenditure antici-
pate in their present erjoyment of comfort
able place and sufficient stipend.