The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-31
West Indian Annexattons.

west In0ian AnneIattOne.
The question of West lndinn annexation Is
lust now before the public in q very specific
form
Hitherto nll our national traditions have
been in favor of acquisition of whatever ter.
rtory was TO be had about u.s. 1t was only
necessary 10 start the cry Of Land hol" to
precpitate a full rash for the now possession
This has been particularly the weakness of
the Democratic party. Perhaps we should
not be out OF the way in saying ii has been
it's strength also Thus We got Louisiana;
thus we obtained Texas; thus the slave.
holders under PIERoE's administration,
made n desperate and INSCRIPTIONS attempt
TO clutch Cuba.
But it must be rccolloctcd that the inspir-
ing motive III the case Of Cuba and Texas
and the latent thought in influential quar-.
tiers respecting Louisiana, WAS devoted
love for slavery. The traditions of the
Democratic party therefore, in favor of the
general policy of annexation, rest on no
surer foundation than the old desire of the
Shareholders 10 fortfy the system of African
slavery.
We thus perceive that, with slavery de-
stroycd and the Fifteenth Amendment of the
Constitution adopted, we have entered upon
anew era In regard to territorial acquisition
The arguments that inspired the policy and
animated tho efforts Of the old Democracy
are torn 10 rags. QUAsnEE was wanted as n
drudge and waiter but it does not follow by
n,,,. e .I,a. L., 4; 4
nn equal and rival. The colored commu
mites were eagerly sought Tor Wien white
men, who Were their owners and masters,
could cast their votes and enjoy the luxury
of representing their numbers in State and
nation. But how is II 20 lc when the Cts.
atlantic Nuban claims 10 represent himself
aud to enjoy direct fellowship with his
wllom lord and master in the halls of Con.
GIcssP Is not here change which is going
TO alate the longugs Of the Democratic
leaders, and their followers too, for the
colorcd populations of the islands whose
luxuriance aud beauty give glory 10 the Ca
ribbean Sea-
We are of opinion that with respect 10
this question we shall suddenly find q
great change in the Democratic party We
expect to see all the Southern leaders Of
that party unanimous against any further in.
crease in tho pumler of our African con.
stituences. They longed for more slaves 10
work their plantations and enlarge their
wcllth through increased crops of cotton,
and rice and sugar; they dotted on the
growing preponderance Of political power
that such acquisition brought with it but
toward QUAsHEE as n man and a brother
they entertain totally opposite sentiments.
The populations they would formerly have
gladly clasped 10 their bosoms, they will
now repel from them with a scornful de-
testa,ion. Then how is it TO be at tho
Eorth2 Will the Northern Democrat join
hands with the South against annexation Of
negro communities 10 fratcrnally as of old he
did In favor OF ty We suppose he will.
Is il rot fundamental article of his creed
that this is n white mans government Is
he then going 10 invite QuAsHEE to psrticl.
pate in his privileges Not he,
The whole Democratic party is TO change
front on this question Of annoXing coun,r ~
now already in possession Of the colored man.
If there IL anything on earth we can count
on with any certainty in the future, it is this
position Of the stolid cNse-hnrdcned Democ-
racy What is 10 be the result Is the Re
publican rarity 20 90 over and occupy the
ground ;hc Democrats will have left We
do not believe our old gRcpublican
friends are going TO exhibit any such dis
position Let the truth he told. They
fought the Shareholders for good and sriii
cicnt reasons. aud they worstcd them. But
they have no particular fondncss for thu
drcg4 aid debris Of slavery and they woult
gladly be rid of their inheritance at home
We have not the slightest idea thai
they covct an enlarged supply of th'
spmo sort of material 10 be brough
in ir,m abroad. In q word, We be
hcve they will not as n body encourage the
acquisition OF any new negro communities
And 80 We look Cor dead hall in the marcl
of the United St ties extending its south
ern frontiers over islands and districts where
from climatic aud other considerations. III,
population IL now, OF IL dest ned hereafter I,
be, predominNntly black.
This is what likely to happen, We do no
here advocate any special policy on the sui
ject. We merely record the facts The sign
OF what is 10 come are already plain, md W
point them out But this Is a very ditferer
Il ing from the base and contemplate polio
sfHAMiLToS Fish and Ulysses s. GRAs
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