The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-18

been always well known how Grant stood
upon the matter. and TRAIT II was due to tine
influence Of his secretary OF state that no
steps were taken toward recognition Of
Csbx's bell.gsreney. The notes from
Fishs diary show how he proposed to treat
the subject from the Official standpoint.
but they do not show the true motives
which lay behind objections to recosni-
ton Fish was concerned at that time
about the pending Alabama controversy.
which Involved an enormous sum, and the
part which EngIand's premature recogni-
ton of the Confederacy was believed TO
play In that dispute. II was IN e1R6ar-
RAISING situation. A large indemnity was
to be paid the United States. based to
some extent upon the recognition BY En-
gland Of the Confederate states. When. Is
subsequent events developed. they had no
substantial basis II was particularly ee-
sirabIe that we JhouId not mako the same
blunders with regard to Cuba
Secretary Fish wrote to our minister at
Madrid. about the same time. informing
a much longer Withholding Of the concss-
sion to the revolutionary party Of the rec
ognized rights Of beiiigerents." This In
dicates that 1t was policy only which kept
him In check and not an unwiliingness to
accord recognition.
But we can 20 much further back In the
history Of this country. and find . power
ful sentiment In favor OF Cuba's freedom
from European domination. Statesmen
have differed ar 10 the wisdom Of annsxa-
ton. but most OF them have favored IT,
dependence. The boldest declaration ever
made In favor Of annexation was that by
John Quincy Adams. While secretary Of
state he addressed letter 10 Hugh Mel
following trenchant language occurs:
Its commanding position. with refer
ence to the Gulf OF Mexico and the West
Indian seas; the character OF Its popula-
tion; its situation midway between our
southern coast and the island Of Sanio
Domingo: It's safe and capaciois harbor OF
the Havana. fronting a long line OF our
shores destitute of The same advantage;
tho nature OF Its productions and OF Its
wants. furnishing the supplies and need-
ing the returns Of commerce
Immensely profitable aud mutually
beneficial. give IL an importance In
the sum OF our national interests
with which that OF no other foreign ter
ritory can be compared. and little inferior
to that whicn binds the different members
between the interests OF that island and
OF this country. the geographical. CONNER
ciai. moral and political relations formed
by nature, gathering In the process OF
time. and even now verging TO maturity.
that. In looking forwerd TO the probable
course OF events for the short period OF
half century. II is scarcely possible TO
resist the conviction that the annexation
OF Cuba to our Federal republic VIII be
Indispensable TO the continuance and In
tegrity OF the Union itself."
Thomas jefferson was an enthusiast On
the subject. About i&2. Secretary Ev-
erett under Fillmore's administration.
took occasion TO say that "territorially
and commercially Cuba would. in our
hands. he an extremely valuable posscs-
sion, and under certain contingencies
might be almost essential to our safety"
The agitation then begun extended into
the administration OF Franklin Pierce,
and was vigorously fosterei by William L.
Marcy, his great secretary Of state. and by
James Buchanan. who ives then minister
10 England. Under instructions from the
state department the three minister's.
James buchanan. to England: John Y.
Masoa. 10 France. and Pierre Souie. TO
Spain. held a confer, nee en- the subje,t IT
os,end, the result OF which was ioiat
opinion in which the Monroe doctrine was
IA measure recognized. ana II the same
time our interest In Cuba was declared.
Promising that "our past history forblds
that We should acquire Cuba without the
consent of Spain" they indicated thar self
preservation might eompi our acquisition
OF the island. The offer OF a price TO Spain
was suggested. and II no terms could be
made other measures might have to be re-
sorted 90.
The disturbances on this hemisphere
through the revolutions in the southern
part ana tho gradual breaking away from
Spain OF the republics we're much more
fresh IN the memory q our people then
than now. and this serves to account for
the activity manifested by our govern
ment. Since the close of the ten years
war. the quiotness on the island and the
issues absorbing attention In our owa af-
fairs have served 10 lun interes, In Caba.
but. as Adams said. it's relation TO oar con-
tinent should make {, logically an iroa to
be brought Within oar supervisory coasrol
if not under our direct government.