Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-12-04
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CUBA AND THE VIRGINIUs AFFAIR.
THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA.
A HISTORICAL RETROSPECT.

THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA.
HISTORICAL RETROSPECT.
The first occasion on which the attention Of
the American people was attracted to the
question of Cuban annexation, was the flight
of Lopez and other Cubans to the United
States in 1S49, in consequence OF some at
tempted revolutionary movements in the
island. These refugees represented the native
born white population as greatly dissatisfied
with Spanish rule and ready for revolt and
annexation to the United States Recruits
were collected in this country for descent
upon the island, but the first attempt was de-
feated by the vigilance of our government.
In August, 1851, however, Lopez sailed from
New Orleans in steamer, with 800 men on
board, of whom a considerable part were
Americans The expedition effected a land
ing, but all the men were taken prisoners.
Lopez was garroted at Havana, some fifty OF
his comrades were shot, but the ajorlty were
transported, and atterward pardoncd. The
svmpathes existing with these movements here
made the Spanish government still more alert
in guarding against revolutionsts, especially
from the United States. This watchtulness
was heightened by the refusal Of President
Fillmore, in 1852, to unite with France and
Great Britain in treaty guaranteeing to
Spain the possession of Cuba. Occasional
collisions with American citizens were the re-
suit; and, during the administration Of Presi-
dent Pierce, a Spanish vessel Of war fired on
the American steamer Black Warrior, an act
which seemed at one moment to threaten hos
tilities. 1t must be borne in mind that, be-
fore the American people took any special III
tcrcSt in Cuba the government Of the United
States had fully appreciated its Importance.
From the moment the United States acquired
Florida, our government began to take a
dcep interest in the affairs of Cuba. At a
time when it was feared the island might fall
into the hands of the English and French,
they, as well as Spain, were Informed that the
United States were willing that Cuba should
remain a colony of Spain, but would never
allow it to pass into other hands. 1t seems
strange now to read that Spain was repeated
ly urged by the American government to
make peace with the Spanish American repub-
lies, lest they should invade Cuba and bring
about not merely a political revolution, but Il
change in its social system! In 1928, Spain
proposed that, in consideration of certain COM
mercial concessions this country should guar
antec to her the possession of Cuba. Mr.
Clay, then Secretary Of State, declined, on
the ground that entanglcments Of this sort
were contrary to the established policy Of the
United States. In 1913, President Polk, as q
teeler, it is presumed, authorized ourAlinlster
at Madrid to offer the sum Of SlO0,00O,OOO for
Cuba, but Spain peremptorily rejected the
proposition. Thus the government of the
United States had its eye upon Cuba long be-
fore there were any popular demands on the
subject. Even after the mutinous spirit in
Cuba had subsidized in consequence of the
failure of Lopez, it is notable fact in our
history, that Mcssrs. Buchanan, Mason and
Soulc, United States Ministers at London,
Paris and Madrid, had Il conference at OStcnd,
in which they drew up manifesto, arguing
that this island ought to belong to the United
States, and that Spain would find its sale
highly advantageous. AS late us the session
of Congress of 1S5S-'59, q proposition was
strongly urged in the Senate to place s3o,-
OOO, 900 in the hands of the President, with
view to the acquisition Of the island but,
after debate, it was withdrawn by the mover,
Mr. Slidcll, of Louisiana. The traditions Of
the government, if followed by the present
Administration, will not Discourage the adop-
ton of firm attitude upon the Cuban queS-
tion.
There are those who seem to think that the
disalicction in Cuba toward the Spanish gov
crnmcnt is mere preteXt for American inter-
ference, whereas the whole history of Spanish
dominion there, proves the very reverse.
Whatever the dimensions of the present re-
brlion, it is certain that the Spanish whites
in Cuba have long been separated by recp-
rocal aversion amounting to hostility and
hatred. They are divided primarily into old
Spaniarls, or peninsulars and CreoIcS, or ma
tive born whites. The former hold all the
offices, transact most of the commerce, mo-
nopolizc the most profitable traffic, and look
down upon the Creolcs with contempt. Cuba.
in fact, is ruled by Spanish carpct-baggcr>,
and what more natural, as shown by the cx.
pcricnce of our own Southern States, than
that there should be widespread disaifcrtion
to such rule? In 1854, the Spanish admins
tration of the island went so far as to organ
ize Il militia, composed Of her blacks, to the
exclusion Of the whites, while ut the same
time the white inhabitants were dlSarme'l.
This proceeding is sufficient of itself to indi
cate widespread diSailcction, especially when
it is remembered that of the total white pop
uation Of $4,000, the majority arc native
born The negro population is 100000, of
which the slaves number 800 ,513. 1t is fair
to assume that this element of the population
symwthizcs with any movement which tends
to their liberation or disuhGclion to Spanish
rule. If this be so, it is Obvious that the
great mass Of the Cuban population, both
white and black, are in good faith dcslrous to
be delivered from their present oppressive
rule, and that the voluntary aid heretofore
given in this country, in men and means to
that object is as legitimate and praiscworthy,
whether it be strictly lawful or not, as any
ever extended by our people to the Greeks
and South Americans-Bahimorc Sun.
THE CAPTURE or TIE IIRGINIIS.