The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-02-09

rousing your mind to the investigation of
this sublime subject with which you and
I are equally connected,
Report Of the Committee on the
! H a Acquisition Of Cuba.
/ f...I. @ WASHINGTON Jan. "a.
In the Senate to-day NJ. Slidell, from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to
whom was referred the bill making appro-
priations to facilitate the acquisition of
Cuba by negotiation reported substan-
| Tally as follows: e4ea- s.a -st. ts
It is not considered necessary by the
Committee to enlarge upon the vast im-
portance of the acquisition of Cuba. Its
ultimate acquisition may be considered a
fixed purpose of the United States, pur-
pose resulting from geographical and po-
litical necessities which have been recog-
nized by all parties and administrations.
and in regard unanimously in favor of the
purchase. The annexation of Louisiana
led as a necessary corrollary to Florida,
and both point with unering certainty
to Cuba What the possession of the
mouth of the Mississippi was to the West,
Cnba will be to the Nation. Our leading
statesmen have endeavored with stcadi-
ness and perseverance to hasten the con-
summation of that project. ,s.s
The reports here quotes the opinions
of Jefferson, Clay, and Van Buren; Buch-
auan in his dispatch to Saunders, Everett
in his celebrated letter to Sartiges and
Morris dispatch to South. From these
authorities it is manifest that the ulti-
mate acquisition of Cuba has long been re-
garded not only as desirable but inevitable
The only difference is in the time, mode
: and conditions of obtaining 1t. The law
of our national existence is growth, which
we cannot disobey, while we should not
unduly stimulate it, and we should be
careful not to impose upon ourselves q
regimen SO strict as to prevent its healthy
developement. England, France and
> Russia are all expanding by the same Law
o of progression, but their growth is the
y absorption of weaker powers, while our
is the result of geographical position
i higher civilization and greater aptitud,
# for government. We have neither the
e right nor the disposition to 6nd fault will
j. this. o,,,. f..-s.a r ~ e.,s1 n ~
So let England pursue her annexation
:, in India, France, in. Africa or on tn
Rhine, Russia subdue bArbarous Asia, ant
d we shall look on their progress if not witt
r favor, at least with indifference. W
rs claim ON this hemisphere. the same pre-
a vilege. We, repeat the acquisition %
Cuba is but question of time. Th
Is fruit that was ripe in Quincy Adams day
is now mature. The question is shall
g be plucked by friendly hand prepares
J. to compensate its proprietor with prince
!, ly grandier; or shall it fall to the ground
" AS Spain cannot long maintain he
q, grasp, there arc but three alternatives
e. first the possession of Cuba by one of tn
IS, great European powers, which is incom
vn patible with our safety, and must conse
quently be resisted; second, the indeper
. dence of the Island, which would result i
49, protectorate more or less disguised;
" under ours, annexation woald follow,
N. under European, civil an6 servile ws
would result; and The third is annexation
The question how is this to be done ca
'5 only be answered, by conquest or negs
ng tiation. Conquest, even without the ho'
ir- tile interference of other powers tina
nv Spain, would be expensive, and with sue
". interference would involve the who
> civilized world in war. re, ,a.
Purchase, :hen, is the only practicab
=" course, but that cannot be attempted wi,
n success, unless the President be clothe
of f|with the power to negotiate and pay fl
ot | it as suggested in his message. Mue
"a has been said of the danger of confidiI
;, such powers to the Executive, but we ha,
u three examples in the purchase of Loui
rit lana, Florida, and New Mexico, Muc
is also, has been said Of the indelicacy
lie, such, proceeding, and also that the off
"a. will wound the Spanish pride, and be r
,, Iiected with contempt. For many yea
u' our desire for the purchase of Cuba b
IN been known to the world; we now simp
m, say to Spain, you have q distant posse
;ht sion, held by precarious tenure, which
no |indisp ensable to us, for the protection
: d.
&c. our commerce, and which may, from
~ '' peculiar geographical position, the cha
Fa- acter of its population, and the mode
ed which they are governed, lead, at any tim
re- to o rapture which both nations wou
m. deprecate. This possession yields J you
-, net revenue not amounting on the averaI
'"'0 o'0 Of series of years to the hnndredth pa
'u- Of the price we offer. True, you ha
refused to sell it hitherto but circumsta
ice ces are changing daily, and our offer m
nd now be more acceptable than in lS4S.
!. Should war break out in Europe, Spa
w. can scarcely hope to escape being inyt
%" be ved in it, and the Cubans may seize t
ice opportunity to proclaim their indepe
he dence. Further, our minister will q