The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-18
SEVENTY YEARS OF CUBAN AGI-
TATION.

SEVENTY YEARS OF CUBAN AGI-
TATION.
The Cuban question Is one form or an
other has been agitating the people OF
this country since the year 1875, and It
was in that year that Mr.. Clay declared
to France that I'VE could not consent 10
the occupation OF those islands (Cuba and
Portorico) by any other European power
than Spain under any contingency what
ever"
Again in 1870 when there seemed reason
TO fear British aggression the United
States assured Spain that II the attempt
were made by any European power to
take Cuba from her, Spain might "se-
curely rely upon the whole naval and
military resources Of the United States to
aid her in preserving or recognizing it,
After that. however the situation
changed and instead Of our desire being
that Spain should retain control OF the
island, the United States began to covet
the island itself This brought about
what is known as the "Ostend Nantes
TO-" Of which the United States had no
cause to be proud.
This was nothing moro nor less than
q pro slavery attempt at the annexation
Of cuba. Soon after the passage Of the
Nebraska bill, President Pierce directed
Messrs. James Buchanan, John g.
Mason and Pierre soule, our min
listers respectively at London. Paris,
and Madrid. to convene in some
European city for the purpose Of
comforting with regard 20 the best means
Of getting possession Of Cuba They met
I'm October 1854 ct the Belgium town Of
Ostend and from that point transmitted
the "Ostend MANIFESTO"
il declared that there was no hope OF
safety or repose FOR the United states
without the acquisition of Cuba. The
resolutions started in by showing that
Spain ought 20 sell the island and prob
ably would do so; next they insulted
Spain by describing her great poverty and
the wretched condition Of the island, pre-
dieting that If Spain would not sell, she
would be liable through an Instruction to
forfeit both the island and the price we
were willing TO pay for IT, The resolu-
tions came to a close with these choice
sentiments:
After we shall have offered Spain a
price for Cuba far beyond fits present
value. and this shall have been refused
then il will be time 10 consider the ques-
ton. Does cuba, in the possession OF
Spain. seriously endanger our internal
peace and the existence Of our cherished
Union?
Should this question be answered in the
affirmative then. by every law, human
and divine. we shall be justified in wrest-
ing IL from Spain. II We possess the pow
or: and this upon the very same princi-
pie that would justify an individual IN
tearing down the burning house Of his
neighbOr if there were no other means OF
preventing the flames from destroying
his own home.
There was at that time no question Of
brave people struggling for independ-
ence. The island was desirable for rea-
sons above stated. and the Democratic
convention OF 1856. which nominated
Buchanan for the Presidency, declared
that the Democratic party will expect
Of the next administration that every
proper effort be made TO insure our as
tendency in the Gulf Of Mexico" which
was understood to mean the acquisition
of Cuba.
Again the Democratic National Con-
vention, which met at Charleston in 1850.
passed a resolution declaring in plain
words that the Democratic party arc
in favor Of the acquisition Of the island
Of cuba on such terms as shall be honor
able to ourselves and just TO Spain"
This was adopted by the Breckenridge
minority as well as BY the Douglas ma
tority.
The war had scarcely ended when the
Cuban question bobbed up again, and
nearly tho whole Of the Grant admins
tration was concerned with the perDlex-
Ing problem.
1t made its appearance again in the
second Cleveland administration and has
been growing worse as it has grown older.
1t will be seen from these facts, which
we CLEAN from a Boston exchange, that
for more than seventy years the Cuban
question has been with us and the people
are tired Of it.
The Times does not believe that this
country has any right whatever 10 inter-
vene in Cuba. but the Cuban question has
given so much trouble and has cost the
country so dearly, that the American
people arc determined at this crisis to
settle It once for all. We are stil hope
full, however. that it will be a final settle
ment without resort 10 arms.
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