The New Orleans crescent., 1868-11-20
THE cuBANs AND cARpET-BAGaERY.

in unconditional adhesion to Spain, rather
than take a tangent which would probably
expose her to the peril of political and social
reconstruction under the denominations and
horrors of American carpet-baggery, is quite
plausible, but also very superficial. To be
sure, if the Cubans were certain of obtaining
under the Spanish government ell the reforms
and all the guarantees which are essential to
their welfare and safety, there might be suffi-
cient reason why they should prefer those in
disputable advantages to the speculative ben
| efits of separation. But no such certainty
exists, and in the nature of things it cannot
| exist. 1t is impossible for the Cubans, geo.
| graphically situated as they are, to be
merged, as an integrant element, into the
aggregate mass of the Spanish nation. Nor
could they hope, detached, distant and iso-
lated as they would be, to occupy relation
to Spanish politics that would command con-
sideration and Difference from the dominant
party or the reigning dynasty in Spain. Yet
both these conditions are necessary to i'm
part permanent virtue to any pledges which
a revolutionary junta in Spain may give to
pacify revolutionary insurrection in Cuba,
and to surround the people of that island with
substantial securities against future misrule
und oppression at the hands or the Spanish
government. And, without such securities,
what hope could they have that Spanish
policy respecting Cuba however the exigen-
cies of troubled in the peninsula might modify
or divert it for time, would snot at length
1a h. ,f Ill
tions Of colonial dominion ? None whatever
having any solid ground to rest upon.
No set of men in the whole course
of history have exhibited so bigoted
an attachment to traditionary policy as
the ruling classes in Spain. 1t is
this insuperable Eweakness that has been
dragging the nation down for the past
hundred years. 1t is this that has through
so many weary years made Cuba the victim
of economical iallacies and commercial preju-
dices long ago exploded, and of a system of
carpet-bag intrusion, corruption and spoliatiOn
which, originating in the epoch of Cortez and
Las Casas, has not changed from that time to
this, except in refinement of iniquity. Even
Northern Radicalism has not devised a
scheme of proconsular tyranny or of car
pet-bag rapacity for the South which
has surpassed either in stupidity or cruelty
the dealings Of Spain with her American
colonies. Hence the inextinguishable hatred
Of the Creole in every Spanish-American
country for the SpaniaFd From time i'm
memorial, the latter has appeared to the
conception of the former simply in the char
acter of an unscrupulous carpet-bagger.
What, then, relatively considered, is that
idea of American carpet-baggery with which
some writer's for the press in this country
would like to frighten the Cubans from the
thought of improving an opportunity TO
throw off the Spanish yoke? 1t is the
merest phantom; whereas Spanish carpet
present, sickening, a crushing reality,
which holds on to its victim like grim death,
and from which there can be no hope of en-
tire and assured release as long as this beauti-
full and unfortunate island remains within
rne imperial jurisdiction OF Spain. Cuba has
been almost strangled by the umbilical cord
connecting her with the mother country. The
only way to insure her safety and her vigorous
growth is to cut the ligament.
1t is perfectly idle to imagine that adhesion
to Spain will improve the position of the
Cubans with reference to the contingency of
slave emancipation. The great danger is that
the Spanish government, with characteristic
bigotry, will refuse to hberate the island |
refuse to part with it under nego- |
tiation, and at last, rather than let it pass
from its clutches as valuable possession,
will precipitate emancipation in the form most |
adapted to infict agricultural and CONNER
cial ruin and to place this island, along with |
Hayti and Jamaica, in the domains of an
American Africa.
For the rest, it is to be remembered that |
the annexation of Cuba to the United States |
whether as the result of Cuban revolution |
or of amicable negotiation with Spain, would |
present the island in a wholly different atti-
tude towards the federal government from
that occupied by the South at the close of
the late war The South was a conquest and
could stipulate no terms with respect to
slavery or any other important question. But
The Cubans, if both prudent and resolute, can
name in large measure their own conditions.
Much of the hardship suffered by the South
vas inspired by vengeance. There would be
10 such motive to influence federal policy in
'elation TO Cuba. Moreover, the interest of
he great West would weigh at once on the
ide of the Cubans, as it must ultimately
weigh on the side of the Southern people |
These combined interests could at length
efy hostility in any shape, and Cuba, sitting
t the southern extremity of the Mississippi
alley, would form one of the brightest gems
q the crown of the most splendid CONNER
ial empire which the world has seen.
Somebody writingin the Republican SAYS
nat the carpet-bagger "is the immigrant,