The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-04-10
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COLUMBIA A,s,ssS. IS G.
Saturday Morning, April 10. 1859.

"a ss-ralN 49,
1t is s'asoommoneplaes in current talk.
thut the Cuban question is an American
question, Without being more explicit upon
this generalization, than sbrisf geographi-
cal survey will permit, wo may readily see
at glance hoW the Cuban question might
be made au American question. Frankly
let us confess what are. the grounds of our
national selfshness on this head: l
Standing like warder at the entrance of
the Gulf OF Mexico, yet stretching far to
the East, so as to overlook and intercept
any unfriendly demonstration upon either
of the great thoroughfares to South Ameri-
ca or the Pacific, she is in position to
overawe the adjacent islands and watch and
defend all outside approaches to the Isthmus
route to the Pacific, while she guards the
portals of the vast inland sea, the reservoir
OF the Mississippi and Mexican trade, the
rendezvous of the California transit, and
the outlet Of an immense, though newborn
mineral wealth, which is yet to control the
mineral markets of Christendom.
1t makes the complete bulwark of the
Mexican gulf. and only leaves to it two
gates, one between Cape Antonia and the
Western, extremity OF the island and Cape
Catoche, which advances from the coast of
Yucatan to meet Il and forms strait less
than 100 miles wide, and theother between
Hicacos, the most Northern point of Cuba
and Cape Sable, the Southern extremity of
Florida. but a little more than 100 miles
apart, between which passesthe 'Old Chan
mel of the Bahamas" Z.
Half a.dozen steamers would bridge with
their cannon the narrow straits between
Yucatan and the West point Of Cuba, and
between Florida and Mntanzas on the
North, and seal Theoretically to, every
aggressive stranger the entire coast circle of
the American Mediterranean. This simple
geographical fact constitutes Cuba the Key
OF the Gulf, and it would be felt if it passed
into the grasp of strong and jealous rival.
Without fostering the antagonism to Great
Britain, that has very little encouragement
in the minds of candid men, let us suppose,
for example, England firmly resting on
Cuba, with .Jamaica and the Bahamas to
flank her steam operations. She would
have full retreat and succor for her fleets,
and be able at need to concentrate the force
of an empire against the coasting trade
With such firm and convenient cover as
that island, with its self-defended coasts and
secure harbors, she, or any other power
ourselves by the converse of the proposition
could fuoe, Jnuus-like, in every direction
Whoever controls Cuba would be the
abrbitress Of the caribbean sea-
II annexation was fully and freely cstab-
lished. Cuba would be as valuable to this
confederaoy as New York itself As an out
post vital to American trade and defence,
and as centre of transit and exchange
Cnba would grow in Importance to the
whole family of the confederation in even
measure with the growth of States on the
Pacific and the rising tide oil Oriental bust
ness, which will some day be led across the
Isthmus. She lies exactly in the track OF
the golden current. and none OF the States
are like her i'll II position to watch and de-
fend every inlet and outlet
In the circle of production essential ia
home supply, always sure and independent
OF foreign interference, Cuba would fill the
gap. She would soil to every one, and buy
OF every one, which is not true Of any other
State. She would add as much as the Union
really needs OF sugar lands, and would make
henceforth strong and distinct feature in
the national balance of interests
A Sensible English NoblemuI,.
The New York Commercial, noting th,
fnct that the Duke of Ar0yll Secrotorv fo,
the British Indian Department, fully recog