The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-03-17

distant period. The eyes of few Of ou'
statesmen have been directed towards hel
10 hopeful expectation that We could &C.
quire her by peaceful negotiation. This
question has been asitated more or less
for the last forty years. But Spain hsa
uniformly sternly refused to part with hes.
Some have argued that it was but propes
she should be annexed because she was
next to US, and com manded geographic
cally position which gives her control
in great measure over the trade of the
Gulf of Mexico, which, in case of war, she
would seriously disturb. Others, because
the soil composing Cuba was originally
washed from. this continent by the foods
of the Mississippiriver aud that she must,
as natural consequence gravitate back
to US, (6guratively, Of course,) Others, be-
cause our con- merce and national wealth
would be greatly enhanced, and because
the prices of orr sugar would be lessened;
and others because they could benefit the
institution of slavery; and by others for
the purpose Of promoting the of free
dom and civilization, by the suppression
of the slave trade; aud by others because
under certain contingencies, self-preserva-
tion will demand it; and lastly, because
IN auifest destiny" claims her.
It is but natural that different men
should differ widely in their estimation Of
the results most likely to flow from Gu
ba's annexation to US. The true value of
mems opinions, however, great or small,
depends solely upon the knowledge they
have of the various contingent circum-
stances or events surrounding the case;
and the medium through which they are
viewed. Some will look at the question
with an eye blinded by selfshness, and
prejudice, while others will endeaeor, at
lea.t, to take patriotic view of it in all
Its various ramifcations.
1t is our purpose to briefly review the
above positions and see as near as we can
how we'll they are warranted by the facts
of the case. We. are told that the fixed
policy of the United States, inde ependent
of parties, is to finally annex Cuba; and
that the purchase and annexation Of
Louisiana lead to the annexation of Flor
ida; and that now both point with uner.
ring certainly to the annexation of Cuba.
1t is not true that all men independent of
parties are favorable to the annexation Of
Cuba; unless circumstances should cloar.
ly indicate the propriety of such meas.
ure. In such an event, undoubtedly all
would be favorable to her annexation
But the signs of the times by no means
indicate that now is the time to annex
her. Further, there are many of all par
ties who do not believe the time will ever
arrive when it will be imperatively ne
cessary to bring her into this Union; and
very many there are who believe sincere
ly that the present is the most unfavora-
bic time that measure involving such
extraordinary expense could be acted up
oD; and independent Of this, the political
aspect of the country is now more forbid.
ding than ever it was before.
In the early days of this republic an.
nexatiou was imperative. but whether that
time has rot passed by, is a question that
is unsettled. If by annexation we can
bring together coDcordant elements, then
it will not matter how far it is carried;
but when by it We are compelled to bring
together antagonistc elements, one war.
ring with the other, it becomes matter
of grave doubt. Should VIC not learn a
lesson from the sad experience Of the
Greek and Roman Empires! Their pol,
icy was to annex any country they deem
ed necessary to their prosperity and safe
ty, which arms could conquer, or mouey
seduce, entirely regardless of their antag-
oDistic clements. This fatal policy caus-
ed them to annex country after country,
and territory after territory, until their
empires were SO widely expanded that the
antagonistic elements, of which they were
composed, finally broke them to atoms.
Spain, which was once one of the first
Kingdoms in wealth, power, and literature,
affords living example of the suicidal
effects of this policy, There being two
anita gonistic eleme in this Government,
the question properly arises, which is
right and which is wrong. After this
question is settled, then the one which is
decided to be right should be upheld aud
cherished and the one which is determin.