New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-04-30

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6odi ESQ Of Is nstivss q is Sisad iili death
rescued them BY the mllIions fEen the ap-
i,alling pastime. This lapeuaee can not BE
iutended to mean that this Interesting archi-
pelago Of islands has hitherto enjoyed
reign Of peace, NOW about - be broken by
she storm of war. For in tho wars that
have ragged since their first settlement, be-
tween England, Spain. France and Hol-
land. these poor lambs of the flock were the
first to be rended and torn by their infu-
rated, fighting shepherds in Europe; and
in the peace arrangements that succeed
ed the bleeding spell was tossed into the
balances xor change, like copper coin.
Through invasiOns, conqhests, revolutions,
these islands have been constantly chang
ing masters; jamaica. fye times; santa
Cruz, five; st. Christopher, four; Porto
Rico. four; Martinique, three; Gaudaloupe,
five; Grenada, three; St. Lucia, five;
st. Vincent, tive; TObago, four: Trini-
dad, three; Antigua, three: BAHIA
mas, four, and so Of others. Surely. then,
III proferring the stable, steady and life-giv.
ing protection of a great nation to one OF
aud at a time aud under circumstances that
give the rest of the world no cause of COM
plant, we may claim without presumption,
that we are studying the things that make
for her peace, and not war.
g. 1t is feared that Hayti is so opposed to
the acquisition that she will make. lis
trouble. The inquiry now ON foot will
probably. show that Hayti has no more to do
with the question than she had with the &C.
QUESTION OF California. 1t will be sight
to see, when this small and sole independ-
emit republic of the black race turns upon its
great benetactOr the nation that first recog-
nized that republics existence, and Ques-
tions the exercise of one OF its most un-
doubted sovereign prerOgatives. Disfran-
clising white men within her borders, and
tramplng on their rights, it will he of SER
feature in our institution that ignores all
distinction of race or color.
7. 1t is doubted in some quarters whetht r
annexation would he Of much Importance to
our commerce. After acquisition our coast
wise navigation laws would be extended to
the island, and our trade with her would be
confined to American shipping, and move
OH the same footing as our interior COM
n4erce between the States. Commercial
gentlemen best acquainted with the island
confidently believe that under the fostering
care Of our government, at no distant day,
she would supply us with all the tropical
products we now receive from all the West
India islands. We now take more of these
products than any other nation, save one.
These products being supplied to us at
much cheaper rates, under the new system,
the trade to Cuba and the other islands,
and of Brazil in the same products, would
be supplanted. In this way we should also
withhold the great support that we now
furnish to the slave labor Of Cuba and
Brazil.
g. 1t is said that We have territory enough
now; that no commercial exigency, no pros
pect OF additional means of national defense
will Justify this measure. This is not q
question of territory, of mere land posses
sions. The question is how to make these
possessions available to the highest and
greatest uses. OF simple acres, we had
enough at the close of the Revolution to last
us for centuries. Yet the Union, soon after
it was formed, was- agitated to its centre,
because the gates of the Mississippi were
locked and the keys held by q foreign
power. The greatest system of internal
| egress to the sea, and to obtain it Louisiana,
| with her great imperial domain, was pur-
| chased. We cleared our skirts to the Gulf,
| and purchased the Florida territory that we
might rescue its bays and harbOrs from the
lethargy of Spain, and give them to COM
| merce. That our lines might fall in more
pleasant places across the continent, we pur-
| the Pacific. We deliberately purchased
| Alaska with a view. to its ultimate effect
| upon the acquisition of British America.
| For that acquisition, We stand ready with
Outstretched arms, whenever the people
there shall give the word. The country
must live its life over again, and a very
different one, before it can be said with any
| ~, "a = III
quire territory, both for commercial and
defensive purposes. Beside the CONNER
cial advantages of the acquisition, it seems
fairly to promise what we certainly need,
to wit: some place in the West Indies where
we can plant the foot of soldier; some
harbor where we can drop an anchor in
time of war. The commercial nations OF
Western EurOpe-England, France, Spain,
Holland, Denmark and Sweden, all have
important possessions in these islands In
the calm OF peace, we are scarcely aware OF
their neighbOrhOOd, but if war takes place
between US and these powers, three thou
| sand miles of, it uncOvers these armed out
posts on our very borders. Their bur-
nished rifles, needle-guns and chassepots
flash in our eyes, and their naval
thunders stun our ears. The supplies
with which some of these fed and
strengthened the recent rebellion, were first
carried to these islands. To this rendezvous
these blockade runners swarmed, and there
watched their opportunity when they could
safely turn their prOws to Charleston,
Savannah and Wilmington. Could our
steam navy have had depot of supplies in
these islands, good harbor to resort to at
pleasure; and from which it could have re-
cOnnoitered at will, these abettOrssof the re-
bellion would have fled this region, and the
war been much shorter. Steam power will
soon prOpel all navigation, naval and COM
mercial. IT warfare is to be successfully
waged by armed vessels thus propelled, fuel
must be near at hand. What plight must
our iron-clads he in, if, when on the eve OF
conflict in these waters, they had to turn
tail to, and run home to coal. When the
isthmus shall be cut by ship canal, and
the trade of Europe and the East, with our
own, shall traverse these seas, they will be
alive with vessels; and time will reveal our
misfortune if we do not search for an Op
portunity, or if found, avail ourselves of il
to establish here a spacious, safe and per
manent retreat where our war steamers and
commercial steamers may always resort fOr
necessary supplies.
9. 1t is said that it will be difficult for us
to devise and administer government fol
this island, with its mixed races, that will
secure the order, peace and prosperity Of
its people. We acquired Louisiana, Florida
California and New Mexico. supposed t.
have had similar unfavorable elements il
their populations; we have, nevertheless
had no difficulty in training them to the
order, peace and prosperity of our free in
situations. We are now introducing to the
| of