The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-04
Cuba.

JkMEs GRKNr.. Union J. e. ALLEN. .Chsstef
Ills difficult to see what is TO be the
destiny OF this beautiful island, even if
she should succeed in severing her con.
nection with the Spanish crown. The
intervention Of the, United States Go
vernment nt New. York, under the pre-.
text OF enforcing the neutrality laws, has
seriously crippled her resources, and at a
most important juncture of the reyolu-
ton; yet the Cubans may get along in
spite OF it. Men and arms have gone
forward from other points, aud, although
still nnprepared for general and deci-
slve movement, it is hoped they will soon
be readytO strike the blow that shall pro-
claim Cuba free.
But Cuba, once frees what is to become
OF her? Is she large and strong enough
to maintain her Independence? It is
clusively within herself. But she has
other sources OF safety. The powerful
nations that might absorb her if left
alone, are eacn interested in seeing that
the others hold aloof and make no war
upon her. Thus situated, the Cubans
may possess and govern their territory
IN peace Tor many years to come. Her
RESOURCES tre ampie Tor the support of a
manitsent government on scale COM
mensnrate with her wants, and with good
laws she will have no difficulty in main
tanning her place among the nations.
But there is q general desire in the
United States to see Cuba annexed to
our own country and brought under the
stars and stripes and the government of
our laws. For us, we regard such
policy as IN many respects very desira-
hle, and we hope the day will come when
vantage and safety to both. But view
ing the matter in the light of her inte-
rest, We think annexation to the United
States at the present time would prove
the greatest calamity chat could befall
her. In proof Of this, we have only to
look to her population. With her i'm
menSe negro preponderance, what would
become of her under the radical system
OF universal political equality ?? The
fifteenth amendment would doom her To
fate compared with which the anarchy
and horrors and widespread ruin of ST.
Domingo would be but an insignificant
circumstance. It would Africanize the
island, and consign it to negro govern
ment Of the worst and most brutal sort.
We should do grievous discredit to the
intelligence of the people of Cuba to sup
pose that they would entertain such a
proposition Tor q moment.
II the Cubans retain their senses-and
it is to be hoped they will-they will re-
pei the thought of annexation to any
such government. It is simply propo-
sition to bind themselves hand and foot.
and abandon their beautiful island to
barbarism, bloodshed and desolation.
If the reported negotiation for her pur.
chase by the United States from Spain
should prove successful, it will be the
greatest misfortune that could befall her:
and she should protest against it with ali
the powers at her command. She need
only look to the Southern States to be
assured that radicalism, in pursuit of it's
remorseless dogmas, would have not the
slightest regard for the rights, feelings,
welfare or traditions of her people. Ali
would be swept away before the maniac
cry of "equal rights to all men,"
But there will come a day when Cuba
can be annexed to the American Union,
or to some portion of the vast empire
that now composes it, without insult to
her feelings or peril to her interests.
This Government cannot last as is.
There must and probably will be change
for the better, and in either event she
will sooner or later find fitting op
portunity of safely uniting her destiny
with our own.-tSaoannah Republican.