The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-09


ties, when all trustworthy information shows
that nothing like governmental organic alton
exists-that the Rebel leaders severally act
on their own account, and make promises and
declarations by which only themselves would
in any event be bound. We are further asked
10 believe that the insurgents anxously desire
annexation TO the U nited States, despite the
notorious fact that hostility to Spanish domi-
nation is the sole vital element Of the insur-
reotioD, and that the CreOles as q body detest
the idea Of national affiliation with Americans.
We do not doubt that there are Cubsns
now in this country who really wish for an
nexation. But they have no rightful preten-
sion to a representative character, aud under
the circumstances are of no political import
ance whatever. Exiles fleeing from the in
surrection are net likely to have authority to
speak in its name. They are more careful of
Themselves than of the Cuban cause. Even
the Envoy, so called, would be puzzled were
he called upon to locate the Government in
whose name he is supposed to act or to define
the organization from which he derives his
title. He is simply an emissary of certain Of
the insurgents, with no Government behind
him, and with no right to commit any organi-
Zation to which the insurrection, if more sue
cessful, might give rise. What he promises
or protests matters little. The fact which
most concerns us, in the presence of a move
ment tavoring recognition as preliminary to
population to that result. They want to be
as independent of the United States as OF
Spain.
Moreover, II should not be forgotten that
the insurrection would be less serious than it
is but for material aid rendered from this
country and constant aocessons from our
Southern population. Our own war has left
in that section a class of reckless men, averse
to regular labor, with nothing but life to lose,
ord with fopduaaa for conH and pd dvantura
which Cuba seems able to crafty. Left to
themselves, we believe that the native insur-
gents would ere now have been compelled to
abandon the struggle. All in it that Is for
midable comes from flibusterism. From the
same cause will probably spring any serious
complication that may occur. The only
chance of trouble with this country has grown
out of resistance to law by men who plead
American citizenship as pretext for lawless-
ness. A part of the programme is to provoke
national difficulties of this nature. And an
other part is to excite the national lust for
territory-to induce the belief that by foster
ing the insurrection, or forcing Spain to fight,
the annexation of the island may be secured.
But the annexation of Cuba is not at present
desirable. Could it be effected, it would be
dear at any price. The only profit that can
accrue may be best realized through the ordi-
nary channels of commerce. To obtain it as a
prize of war or a result of successful insurreo-
tion would be to assume burden which we
are in no condition to carry. The island would
come devastated. The policy of the insurgents
is to destroy plantations, to uproot the sources
of wealth and trade, and to spread desolation
as widely as possible. II ever the Spaniards
find themselves unable to hold their ground
thew will resort to the same ruinous proce-
dure. They will leave nothing that can be
destroyed. The richest portion of the island
will be laid waste. The public works will be
/ l. ask Ia saI, Cd -
ashes. A slave population, numbering more
than fourth Of the whole, demoralized and
brutalized by strife, will be the crowning
feature of the legacy left by vanquished Spain
| Is the picture 80 tempting that we should
desire its realization Is the prospective prize
so great that we should covet it Is it worth
our while to encourage flibusterism, or tC
formally respond to Cuban appeals or to pick
a quarrel with Spain and her European allie;
for the sake of an acquisition which fer gene
ratien would be worse than worthless
Nor is the House committees proposition
favoring the annexation Of st. Domingo less
foolish or less criminal. The Dominicans
don't wish for annexation; they detest il
heartily, as trustworthy accounts havt
clearly shown. Baez, who sends an agent tt
| Washington to talk about it, is an imposte
and usurper, holding the Presidency by pre-
carious tenure of fraud and cruelty. He has
no right to sell the territory, and if we were
mad enough to buy it an army would b.
needed to establish our title. The country II
as Cuba would be with the insurreotion sue
cessful; it is wilderness, with population
more difficult to manage than were the negroe
of the Southern States when the war ended
1t would be necessary to reconstruct the Freed
mems Bureau to civilize the black Dominicans
and to redeem the slaves of Cuba from semi
savagery. And of course the Freedmen's Blu
reau implies soldiers to uphold its authorit.
and enforce its DEGREES.
Is the House of Representatives taking leav
of its senses, that it proposes to fasten upol
this country responsibility which only mad
men would incur What do we want wit
more territory, with three large States ye
unreeonstructed Why should we troubl
ourselves about the blacks OF the West Indie
while the problem involved in the emancips
ton of the Southern blacks is not half solved
On what pretense can we decently ipoumbe
ourselves with expenditures on account q
! Cuba or San Domingo while our taxpayer
groan under their burdens and the nationa
credit ia under cloud
At the proper period it may be well to lool
, abroad for objects OF sympathy, and even TO
territorial expansion. But that period is, W
imagine, somewhat distant. There are dutie
urgent duties-at home which we canno
7 afford to neglect. There is debt to be paid
3 taxation to be reduced, a South to be recon
t ciled and restored in spirit as well as in form
3 and half continent to be redeemed from tn
= wilderness. For years to come we shall hav
9 quite scope enough for enterprise and energ
o in attending to our own business, rebulldin
: places and Industries wasted by war, and II
vesting the Union with a character befttin
its pretensions. If, hereafter, it be necei
a sary to enlarge its boundaries, we suggei