Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-21
SHALL WE ANNEX CUBA?
what Senator Brownl0w and Repre-
sentatives Maynard and TiiernburgEa
Think of the situation.

What Senator Browniow and Repre-
sentatiyes Maynard and Thernburgh
Think OF the Situation.
From the Knoxville Chronicle, Nov. 10.
1t is net every city, that can boast of
a United States Senator and two men,
bers of congress, But Knoxville is SO
fortunate, and thinking their views on
SO important question as the du-
ties Of the government in the present
trouble with Spain and the probable fu-
ture of Cuba, Chronicle representa-
tive called upon them to learn their
views.
We found Senator Brownlow in his
usual health aid in cheerful spirits.
Upon this, like all other topics of pub
lie interest, he entertains and expresses
very decided convictions as to what
course our government should pursue.
He regards the action of the Cuban
authorities as being hasty and inconsid-
crate, purposely hasty to prevent inter-
1ention on the part of the United States
or Great Britain He believes the exc
cuSion of the crew and passengers of
the Virginius to have been an inhuman
act, for which the Cuban authorities
should be held to strict accountable
ty. That their arrest, trial, conviction,
and execution should be demanded of
Spain, and if refusal should follow, that
proper measures should be taken to. at
once force that nation to accede to such
demand
He is decidedly in favor of Cuban an
nexation. 1t is his opinion that the
United States should at once adopt
measures looking to the annexation of
all Spanish territory in the West In
dies, either by purchase or by conquest.
That if the Presidents policy inregard
to Santo Domingo had been adopted by
Congress, the present troubles would
never have come. The Senator thinks
that past history demonstrates, beyond
the possibility of doubt, Spain's inca
pacity to govern her American colonies,
and that to force her to give them up
will be an act of humanity which our
Government is not at liberty to decline
He is Of opinion that the United States
and Great Britain will make common
cause In putting an end to Spanish
atrocity in and around Cuba.
This question Will be one of the first
that Congress will be called upon to de-
eide at the coming session, and Senator
Brownlow will be found voting with
those who favor a vigorous policy in
reference to Cuba and towards Spain,
even if such policy involves us in war
with the Madrid Government.
WHAT OUR REPRESENTATIVE THINK.
Hon. Horace Maynard, member from
the State at large, though not express
ing his views for publication, talked
freely of the situation.
He approved of the Presidents eau
ton In first fully ascertaining the facts
of the capture. He thinks it highly
important that the position of the Gov
eminent when assumed should be right,
so that there need be no subsequent
qualifications. He feels that the cir
cumstances of the butchery, if as re-
ported. make a very strong case against
Cuban and Spanish authority, and that
under such a state of facts the Govern
ment should pursue very rigorous and
decided policy.
Mr.. Maynard thinks if President
CASTELAR, feels ready and willing to dis
pose of Cuba for S50,000,000 or $780,
100000 it would be the easiest solution
of the trouble for the United States to
purchase it. He does not think it
would be polite to take the island, if
with it we must take the i'll viii of
Spain and other foreign governments.
He would rejoice to see Cuba free and
if her people were willing, he would not
object to see. her under the control of
our Government.
Hon. j. NJ. Thornburgh, Representa-
tive from this district. expressed the
opinion that in the natural course of
events Cuba must become part and
parcel of our government. He thought
the shooting of the Virginius crew, I'M
der the circumstances reported, was in
human and demanded prompt action;
He thinks that our government should
speedily acknowledge Cuba as bellig-
erent power, as by that policy we would
throw protection over the struggling
Cubans, which would almost equal ac-
tual intervention by force. He would
not object to see Cuba a part of our
territory, and had long felt that by the
laws controlling the development and
Of territory it would eventu-
ally, like ripened fruit, drop into our
hands. In his Judgment, while the
should not act injudicious-
ly or hastily, its policy should be firm
and of ouch positive character as
would amply protect every American
citizen on Cuban soil. The result of
the Virginius affair, Col. Thornburgh
thinks, is so Infamous that it must re-
suit in the overthrow of the present
government on that island.