Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-05-28
SHORT SIGHTED.
Extension of Territory
Our Right and Duty.

IN connection with Cuba. In this he
will have the sympathy of all those
queer Americans who have conceiv.
ed the notion that it is wise, virtuous
and patriotic to oppose any exten-
ion of our territory for any reason
, whatever.
Cuba should belong to the United
States u) because it is geographically
an American Island; (2) because its
possession would strengthen US
greatly in case of war; (3) because it
is land of rich natural resources
and would by immigration speedily
be transformed into prosperous
American State; and (4 because the
great majority of its people, includ
ing it's harassed property owrers,
favor annexation.
1t is strange sort of American
patriotism that can look with com
placency, with approval, on the own
ership of Cuba by European mon
archy, when the brave men of the
island are themselves in armed re
volt against foreign mastership. 1t
is a blind wisdom that cannot see
what source of weakness it is to
this Republic to have Cuba, or any
other American island, in the hands
of powers with whom war is always
possible.
Consider the Bahamas, which lie
but few hours by steam from our
coast. These islands are owned by
Eugland, aud that fact has cost us
an immense loss Of blood and treas
nre Had the Bahamas belonged to
us, as they should, during the six
ties they would not have served as a
place of refuge for Confederate crui-
sers and the headquarters of the
blockade runners.
The English port of Nassau was
worth an army in the field to The
Confederates. The English indus
try of helping the South to disrupt
the Union was enormously profitable
How extensive it proved at tho prin.
ciple port of these American islands
Stark in his History of the BAHIA
mas" tells us. The imports of Mas.
sau in 1860 were in value only f234,-
029, and its exports f157,350. That
$Sspresented the normal commerce of
the place But in 1864, when block
ade running was at it's height, the
imports of Nassau sprang from the
beggafly .s234,0J9 to f5,346,112.
and the f157,350 of exports to ga,
672,398 Between December, 1861,
and the close of the war, no fewer
than 397 vessels entered Nassau
from Confederate ports, and 58S sail.
ed thence to run our blockade with
cargoes for the Confederates,
And here is how the English com.
munity inhabiting this capital of an
American island fourished while the
Republic was battling for its life:
Every one was wild with excite
ment during these years of the war
The shops were packed to the ceiling
the streets were crowded with balls,
boxes and barrels. Fortunes we're
made in a few weeks or months.
Money was scattered in the most ex-
travagant manner. The town actual
ly swarmed with Southern refugees,
captains and crews of blockade run
ners. Every available spac, in and
e@t of doors was occupied, Money
was plenty. and sailors sometimes
anded with 1900 in specie. Wages
were doubled, liquors flowed freely,
and the common laborer had his
champagne and rich food. Not since
the days of the buccaneers and pi.
rates had their been such times in
the Bahamas.
Should it be our fortune to engage
in war with any power than England
Nassau would be again q neutral
port, and therefore base of supplies,
a safe resting place for the ships of
our enemy. We permit these islands
Us Iauch part of North America as
the doorstep is part of house, to re-
main in foreign possession.
The Morrill, kind of wisdom may
approve itself to those near sighted
advocates of peace who are so little
friends of their country's future as
to clamor for arbitration treaties in.
stead OF larger navy, but Ameri-
cans of masculine instincts, some pa
triotism and common sense. believe