New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-16
FREE CUBA AND RECIPROCAL TRADE.

FREE CUBA AND RECIPROCAL TRADE.
In the letters of the State Department
Of England, under the government Of the
republic, it is alleged that Spain always
had an interest at the court Of the Stuarts,
which being paid with Spanish gold ef-
fectively defeated all reclamations o. Eng
lish subjects for Spanish spoliation, and
allowed Spain to pursue her own vindic-
tive, rapacious and sanguinary policy to-
ward foreign powers We have no idea
that Spain at this day has effected any
such Judgment in the counsels Of our
government, but We fear when our indif-
ference to the colonial oppression of Spain
| is compared with the alacrity with which
Monroe and Madison came to the rescue
of the American continent from the en-
croachments Of the Spanish despotism,
we shall be considered the degenerate sue
cessors Of those vigilant men. The CEN
tenary Of American liberty approaches,
and it would be we'll if we could present
to civilization and humanity the great
gift of a continent wholly redeemed from
the stain of political and social bondage.
And in that crown and carcanet Of free
dom what jewel could shine SO resplen-
dent as the gem of the Antilles, Free Cuba.
But nations are governed in their for
eign policy not by sentiment but interest.
We, therefore, appeal to the soldier grang-
ers of the West who have just made their
march to the sea by way of the Fort st.
Philip canal Why do you allow a Span
ish despotism to tax all -four and corn, and
hog products and live stock imported into
Cuba at an ave rage rate Of eighty per cent
gold? Do you not know that your products
are thereby either kept out Of Cuban con-
sumption or that the revenues from this
taxation really maintains slavery and
shughters the friends of civil and religious
freedom and OF emancipation? Do you
not see that Spain sends your wheat
ground into Spanish -four to supply the
food demand in Cuba, and that you are
compelled to pay your part of seventy
million dollars gold annually, for sugar,
cigars and molasses by exporting your
products to Europe and importing specie |
to pay for Cuban products?
The Northwestern and Eastern States |
are now perfecting reciprocal treaty |
with Canada. By this you will receive an
outlet by the st. Lawrence, but as part Of
the consideration your lakes are thrown
open to competing British shipping, and
the home market, which you enjoy at the
East, is given also to the Canadians. Have
you no states men among you? None,
perhaps, who are in position to represent
your diplomatic interests. But is there
no one to ask in your behalf why recip-
rocal trade with Canada is proper, while
duties exclusive of American products
from Cuba are not entitled to diplomatic
attention?
The session of Congress approaches its
close. While we can not expect American
statesmen to make fools of themselves by
avowing deep and sincere sympathy for
the cause Of self-government, now strug-
Cling in the paroxysms of conflict against
The worst despot;sm in the world, We de-
nand, in the name of the West and its
way to market, that Western
md Southern Senators shall bring up in
executive session the commercial relations
between Spain and the United States, and
hall demand such modification of the
ariA between these countries as that
spanish duties on provisions and live
took shall not exceed the rate imposed
" the United States on sugar products,
which average about sixteen per cent ad
'alorem. This will leave inundated Lou
siana her present protection Of two to
hree cents on sugar and sugar products,
While it will give to Illinois and Indiana a
arge reduction on -four and hog products.
)iscarding all sympathy for republican
let US have some intelligent {
ppreciation of republican interests. What
az Senators Morton, Carpenter and {
'glesby? The soldier Changers want to
ear from them.