The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-16
COLUMBIA, s. C.
Tuesday Morning, February 1e. 1859.
Ella Isla dc Cuba "-Iss Annexation.

dies) by the United States Government is
now being freely d ,cussed by the press
throughout the country, and the disturbed
condition of its political affairs, which have
eliminated in civil war, is attracting con
siderable interest in the minds of the
people generally. To enter into a detailed
Account Of the causes which have brought
about this unfortunate disruption in that
once happy and prosperous isle would oc-
cupy too much of our space, and is not our
intention at present. Nor do we desire
to speak of the horrors that are daily
being committed in the name of war by
the opposing factions, represented on the
one side by the Spanish authorities, and on
the other by the native Cubans. We pro-
pose only to give a condensed outline of
Cuba, for the benefit of those of our re, d.
ers who have not informed themselves, or
who have not taken an opportunity t. in
vestigate its history, and to show by facts
and figures what very valuable acquisition
this island would be, in many respects, to
the United States.
First, then, the area of the island is
somewhat less than that of Pennsylvania,
end contains population of about 1,5OO,-
OOO inhabitants. The climate is mild, and
approaches the description given by Ovid
of the Golden Age" in which he says that
''spring was all the year round;" the soil is
remarkably fertile, and the productions
are those usually found in tropical coun-
tries, of which sugar is the leading article
ho
mixed races, the native Cuban and the
negro comprise the population; and the re-
ligion is intensely Catholic.
In the next place, Spain, the mother
country, has always regarded this island rs
her Ell Dorado and has guarded it with
jealous eye; fearing lest it should be sur
reptitiously taken possession of-and the
vision OF furious and fierce .JfAiJusteros has
ever haunted her plastic imagination. In
deed, 80 great was her admiration, not to
say love for Cuba. that the idea of disposal
of it at all, or proposition to purchase it,
would have been considered the greatest in
dignity, and the party making the PROPOSE
ton would have been looked upon as guilty
of little less than high treason against that
proud monarchy.
We are not prepared to say what has in
duced the Spanish Government to become
willing, at this late date, to dispose of her
'gem," unless the revolution now existing
has something to do with it. Surely, great
change has come over the esprit of her
dreams. However, she will find ready
purchaser in this Government and at a
round price.
The Island of Cuba would be of incalcu-
liable advantage to this country in COM
mercial view. Its splendid harbors easy of
access; its vast and varied productions,
yielding its millions and tens of millions an
nually; is enough to stir the cupidity of any
mercantile people. and time alone would
demonstrate the untold prosperity which
would grow out Of the commerce of this
fruitful island
That it would be most judicious pur-
chase on the part of our Government does
not require the dogmas of logician to de-
termipe. That it will ultimately form an
integral part of the American Union we ap-
prehend there is none SO rash as to deny.
That it ought to form part and parcel of
this great republic, we doubt not, is the
opinion OF nine-tenths of our people, who
believe in the great Madisonian doctrine
and in the Democratic idea of Extending
the area Of freedom" In fine, therefore
let us have Cuba, with peace. rather than
have her in her present distorted and dis
tracted condition. and oil will yet be we'll
with us as nation. Let the purchase he
consummated by all means, and we predict
an era of prosperity for her never before
dreamed of in all her philosophy.