Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-10
THE SPANISH ACQUISITION OF ST. DOMINGO IN
ENGLAND.
From the London Times, AprH IS

From the London Tunes, Apru Is.
This annexation gives room for numerous reflections
and specuations Had il been a real and voluntary re-
turn of colony to the mother country, after trying
and experiencing the evils Of a turbulent independence
for rty years il might well have deserved to be ranked
among the most curious events in history. Our intcI-
geuce however, from Cuba seems to dscredt this view
of the subject and to tend the conclusion that is
rather to be considered careiully-pIepared and
deepy-concerted scheme the part of Spain to re-
cover the first of her colonel possessions. EVea if
this BE- So the is hardly less curious. II vas said
but a little while ago that the North American States
we're hreatnrg Spain with invasion OF Cuba unless
-he could be prevailed upon to sell them the Island,
ad now we fnd Spain herself becoming the aggressor
and instead of surrendering one colony, actually IN
dertakng the conquest Of another. Those who
have felt-and there are very few who have not
the enchantment Of the old romantic literature OF
Spain will feel certain instructive pleasure in
seeing a nation with whose name are connected so
many glorious and romantic associations rousng itself
rom the iguomnious sumber OF two hundred and fifty
years and coming forward once more to play distin-
rushed part that theatre of the New World which
was once almost exclusively her own. We know too
little 10 speculate very deeply to the motives Of this
singular step Il is very possible that in them the
frat result Of what is assuming every dsy more decided
import-he dissolution of that great Coniederacy which
has exercised hitherto vast influence the des
TIMES of the Western World Spain acts decisively be-
cause she no longer fears the projects Of the United States
and also probably with view anticipate any enter
prise on ST. Domingo which might be devised by the
Southern Confederation. The United States tasting
the first fruits of the policy OF disntegraton, and
cannot doubt they bitter enough. The glory de-
parted indeed when Spain takes up the policy of Lopez
aud Walker and acts without reference or regard to the
feelings and policy of the Union.
For ourselves we have every reason to wish well to
any enterprise which will raise the power and Influence of
Spain and thus restore important element to the bal
ance of power in Europe But in this the feeling
al, aallN In tho frat nd
in our capacity OF creditors it s rather Notifying
II at Spaa find money for ironclad ships, for wars
with Morocco and for the conquest OF San Domingo
for every th fact except the payment OF her debts
We know that il is very rude and Inbred to mention
such thing at such time, but must nevertht less
positively insist that the victor shall carry this slave with
him in his triumphsl to the capital Then, we can
not from ourselves that this proceeding as far
we know anything of it, has somewhat Of fbustering,
or at eas Irregular aspect 1t better TO consult the
wishes OF people fore you enroll them under your ban
ue even though that banner be the glorious Castles and
Lions of CASTLE. This little preliminary has been omit
ted and cannot help suspecng 1t has been omitted
for very sufficient 1t may probably have &C.
CURED to the natives of St. Domingo, just it occurs
TO us to ask what will be the policy of Spain when
she has obtained poss sson of the island The channel
between Cuba and St. Domingo is only sixty miles wide
How will the mother State treat the two neighboring
islands Is st. Domingo to be dealt with after the
fashion of CUBA is Cuba to be raised to the position
Of st. DomingoY At present 1t seems as II spain could
have but object in reanneKing St Domingo to her
crown Nobody can believe that she has the slightest
intention of giving freedom to the slaves in Cuba from
whom she draws so large amount of revenue Still
less one would think she contemplate the govern
ing side by side islands placed by Nature in exactly
the same circumstances and only differing in this that
in the one the black population free republicans, and
in the other slaves in the lowest state Of misery and
degradation The alternative is that Spain must mean
to reduce the free negroes Of St. Domingo to the same
level as the black population of Cuba If this be the
meaning OF the enterprise it is a6hoTred alike by
God and man. and we shall not have to wait long before
we see it recoil upon the heads Of its contrvers.