The herald., 1895-05-12
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Ethan Allen

OF course Cuba should be annexed as a
part of the United States. Geographic
ally she belongs to us, and why should
we not take that to which nature gives US
the title? If Spain owned the mouth OF
the Mississippi we would drive her away.
The great forces of liberty which Wash
ington and his compeers inaugurated were
for the world, not Tor a special locality.
These forces are now encircling the globe,
as does the air; and all should be per-
mtted to enjoy. Monarchy has no right
which we are bound to respect. to restrict
this privilege.
So, If we need Cuba. in the round of
our destiny as people, take it. This
nation should assume the right to seize
upon whatever land in the Western Hem
iisphere is needtul for her development.
This is the substitute to the Monroe Doc
trine which | announced five years ago.
and it met with a round of approval. 1t
is the right of political domain dixie
the right of eminent domain), which
as power we ought to enforce, in
the extension of the lessons of the Amer
lean Revolution.
The Monroe Doctrine has boone too
small covering to tit us now. Our
broader shoulders need more ample gar
ment; and this is to take in and incorpor.
ate territory that we need. We will pay
for 1t fair price, If the owner will con-
sent to sell; but let it be understood that
-
which is a rule to be enforced for thu
benefit of all mankind since this nation
is today the worlds almoner of the lib
erty our fathers gained.
In the above | have outlined my law
for the acquisition OF C;;ba by this nation.
When politicians think more of public
obligations than of private interests. this
law will be applied and Cuba will be ours.
| have no sympathy with these spasmodic
efforts for independence. Cuba can cut
no figure in the world as an independent
nat on. But as Il part of the United
States she is the gateway of our commerce
east and west. and north and south. She
is the halfway station to South America,
and from Cuban shores that southern
continent at once becomes the customer
to our shops. She is the fortress of the
gulf of Mexico and the armed American
sentinel at the Nicaragua canal.
The objection to her population is pos
slble. Cuba would be Americanized in six
months after possession. We had no diff
tculty with California nor with Texas
when they came to us with ignorant and
foreign populations. That public man is
stupid or else a coward or Il knave, who's
entire soul does not thrill with the sense
of duty that ought to prompt us to secure
tins island.
Spain. in her contributions today. con
tributes but little more to the worlds
progress in literature. art or elevated gov.
ernment. than does the Comanche savage.
Then why should they have greater con.
sideration rom thinking men who act fol
the good of mankind, by adding to the
forces of the nation which drops her
blessings like a benediction all over the
earth? spain has had her hour of his
tory. and must pass on; and not be per
mitted in her death struggle to drag int
the ruin the fairest portion OF the earth.
Then again. as | began. Cuba belongs to
us bv nature; we need her. We shall
take her. Pay a fair price, of course.
but take her.
Canada will come In time; Mexico will
follow Texas and California, and drop
into her niche under the Stars and Stripes,
when we are ready. But we want Cuba
now. 1t is cowardly to wait. The great
spirits which gave us this republic. and
who now watch lmpatiently. that it shall
not fail in any step that advances it's des-
tiny, beckon to us-Go forward.