The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-17
Certain Old FcEics oil abe Cabinet on the
Gmhaa Question,

Certain Old Fcgics oil ahe Cabinet on tho
CMsau Qweetion.
Washington correspondent has favored us
with report OF the remarks said to have been
made by one of General Grants Cabinet on
the Cuban question, and adds, by way of
conclusion, that he had the best reason to
know that the views expressed are held by at
least two other members Of the Cabinet. The
first idea said to have come from this sapient
Cabinet Minister is that the acquisition Of
Cuba by the United States would destroy orr
revenue derived from that island, which he
states to be fifty or sixty millions year. The
ignorance displayed in this statement OF reve-
nue. derived from the trade OF Cuba is on par
with the whole argument, and shows plainly
that this Cabinet Minister did not know what
he was talking about To derive revenue of
fifty or sixty millions year implies trade of
several hundred millions, imports and exports,
and would make the revenue from Cuban inn
ports nearly equal to that from those of all
other countries. Does any one-even the
most stupid person-suppose the revenue on
imports from Cuba is nearly equal to that ON
the imports from England, France, Germany,
China and all other countries together? In
fact, tho revenue from imports from Cuba
amounts to few millions only, and but
small proportion of the total receipts from
customs, while the trade with that island is
valuable, and, particularly, as affording
market for our produce. Bat, upon this ridicu-
Ions argument Of not wishing to possess
territory in order that we may tax
the products we might just as well
say that we should be better off if the cotton
States were foreign country, for then we
should tax cotton; or if Massachusetts did not
belong to the republic, as we could then tax
her manufactures. However, this argument
against the acquisition of territory is so absurd
that it is hardly worth notice.
Scarcely less ridiculous and narrow minded
is the idea advanced that we have territory
enough and that we should not bring other
races or families of mankind under our repub-
lean government. The same notion has been
through all its history. They were hostile TO
the acquisition of Louisiana, of Florida, OF
Texas, of California and of Russian America
on the same ground, and if their advice had
been followed the United States would have
been little, cramped up republic, and third
rate Power in the world, instead of being the
magnificent, rich and powerful country it is
now. The law Of our existence is progress
and expansion and if we do not follow that
we shall not fulfil our destiny and must decline
relatively to the surprising progress Of the age
| and other nations. Ii annexed Cuba would be
immensely valuable to our commerce, and as
market for our agricultural and manufacturing
products, to say nothing of its value in mari
time, naval or geographical point of view, or
of it's Importance politically in harmonizing the
countries of America to our republican system.
Nor are the people Of Cnba of that hybrid
stock which we see in some other countries in
this hemisphere. There are few or no In
dams in Cuba, aud the people are for the
most part pure race. The negroes are as
intelligent as those of our Southern States and
many of them have become rich. They can be
as easily managed. Besides, the negro ele-
nlent there, which Ia inferior in numbers to
the whites will become subservient to tie
superior race, as in our own country. IT
Cuba should become a part of the United
States our enterprisng people would rush
there to develop its wonderful resources and
would soon take the control Of affairs. The
contracted views reported to have been ex
pressed by Cabinet officer do not accord
country or American progress.
NAPOLEON is expected in Paris, to remain