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

Ii this annexation policy is to be our
ruling principle, then We will of necessity
be impelled to annexation until this whole
continent finally becomes annexed to
!. the United States, entirely regardless Of
hthe probable consequences that will result
from it, We are in favor of annexation
with one condition, and that is, tb at it shall
tend to harmony and prosperity, rather
than to discord and destruction of this
Confederacy.
It's true that Cuba, we'll fortified, and
with strong navy, unless she were op-
fosed BY a greater power, would com
Hahd to certain extent, the trade Of the
Holf Of Mexico, and could, in case of war
greatly interpspspsr trade in thaslregion,
But the same can Be said Of any neigh
boring nation, or foreign either, with
which we are trading. but not perhaps
with SO much force. But if this logic
of aunexing a nation because she might
in case Of war, interrupt our trade, be
correct, then this same logic would lead
US TO annex all nations that in case Of
war, would be apt to interrupt our COM
mcrce.
1t will make DO material difference to
US into whose hands Cuba may finally fall,
so far as our trade on the gulf of Mexico
is concerned; because the IN arch of civil
ization aternly demands that just and wise
treaties shall be established at least, be-
tween all civilized nations, and in case of
a refusal on the part of Cuba 20 accede to
such terms war would ensure, which
would, let her be in whose hands she
might, provoke such chastisement as
would lead to the establishment of th at
which is just.
If the principle of hogging and annex
ing nation, when we may believe her to
stand in the way of'our speci a prosperity,
in case she refuses to sell out to US, be
correct one, this logic would establish
that right which would justify US in offer
ing what We might see proper to COM
petitor whom We might believe to stand in
the way of our special prosperity, and in
case he refused to accedc to our terms,
then We could fog him and make him
our slave, or compel him to accept our
proposition. This is the logic of the best
class of big ighwaymen, and obtained in the
days of semi -barbarism; yet it is the
logic Of the Slidell and Companies self
preservation theory.
Loud threats are vauntingly thrown
broad cast to the world that if we cannot
negotiate peacefully for Cuba, the stern
law of self-preservation may compel US to
resort to coersive means. Now this is
insulting in the extreme to nation hav-
ing any pride or sense of honor, and would
be INDUCED in by no moderately judicious
person, except they sought quarrel.--
And the idea that our self-preservation
depends upon the annexation of Cuba, in
any contingency, is too unreasonable to
deserve for a moment the attention of q.
ny person acquainted at all with the facts
of this m after; for they warrant nothing
of the kind. We would not be deprived
of the trade of the gulf of Mexico, even
if We had no outlet by sea; for We have
free access to that trade by railway and
the Mississippi river. But the idea of our
being shut out from the gulf of Mexico
by way of the Bahama channel, is too ri
diculous to merit a serious argument.
Next as to the prediction of eminent
men, that Cuba must naturally gravitate
back to her parent earth. Many eminent
men have been guilty Of saying many
things, and Of making many predictions,
which subsequent events proved beyond
doubt to be sadly wrong. And what
seemed and possibly was correct in the
days Of Jefferson, Adams, and Clay, may
be grossly wrong pow. They advocated
the annexation of Cuba more or less 10
their time, because it then, apparently,
could have been annexed without any
difficulty; butin this they were mistakeD;
and again they favored it because they
believed our national wealth would be
greatly enhanced by the extension of our
commerce, and the area of free labor aud
all of its concomitants. While John G.
Calhoun at the same time vehemently op.
posed it, because be believed it W oud
tend to the prostration OF slavery.
John Slidell, one of The leaders of the
slavery extension party, tells US in his re-
port, that BY the annexation Of Cuba the
"illegal slave trade" which has been Gov.