Evening star., 1902-08-16

even her anity at the price OF taking part
In her wars, but the war in which the
present proposition might engage us, should
that be Its consequence, is not her war,
but ours.
Its object is to introduce and establish
the American system, Of keeping out Of our
land all foreign powers, Of never permitting
those Of Europe TO intermeddle with the
our own principle not to depart from IL.
and II. to facilitate this. we can effect
division in the body OF the European pow
ers and draw over 10 our side its most
powerful member. surely We should do e.
But l am clearly OF Mr.. CanninRs
opinion that il will prevent instead of
provoking war. For how would they pro-
pose to get at either enemy without s,l-
perior feets2 Nor is the occasion TO he
sighted which this proposition offers Of
declaring our protest against the atroCouS
violations OF the rights OF nations by the
interference Of any one I'm the internal af-
fairs OF another 80 flagitously begun 10y
Bonaperte and now continued by the equal
ly lawless alliance calling itself Holy
A Most Interesting Addition.
but We have first to ask ourselves a
question. Do we wish to acquire 70 our
own confederacy any one or more OF the
Spanish provinces? l candidy confess that
have ever looked on Cuba as the most in
teresting addition which could ever be made
to our system Of states. The control. which.
with Florida Point. this island would give
us over the Gulf of Mexico and the coun-
tries Of the isthmus bordering on It. as well
as all those whose waters flow into IT, would
fill up the measure Of our political well
being-yet as l am sensible that this can
never be obtained, even with her own con-
sent, but by war: and its independence.
which is our second interest (aud especially
its independence of England) can he Sc
cured without ii, l have no hesitation I'm
abandoning my first wish to future chances.
and accepting its independence with peace.
and the friendship of England. rather than
its association at the expense Of war and
her enmity.
=" I could honestly therefore join the dec
laration proposed that we aim not at ths
acquisition of any of those possessions.
that we shall not stand in the way OF any
amicable arrangement between them and
the mother country, but that we will Op-
pose, with all our means, the forcible in
terposition Of any other power. auxiliary.
stipendary or under any other form or pre-
text, and most especially. their transfer TO
any power by conquest, cession or acquisi-
tion in any other way.
Gave His Judgment.
/" I should think it advisable that the oX-
ecutive should encourage the British gov
ernment to a continuance in the disposition
expressed in these letters, by an assurance
OF his concurrence with them as far as his
authority goes and that as it may lead to
war, the declaration of which requires an
ACT oL NouBTeSSr the case Sndll be ldld be-
fore them for consideration at their first
meeting, and under the reasonable aspect
in which 1t is seen by himself.
" I have been so long weaned from po-
litical subjects, and have so long ceased .
take any interest in them, that l am Sensi-
bic L am not qualified to offer opinions on
them worthy Of any attention.: but the
question now proposed involves conse-
Quences so lasting. and effects so decisive
of our future deStnies. as to rekindle all
the interest l have heretofore felt on such
occasions, and induce me to the hazard IF
opinions which will prove only my wish
to contribute Still my mite toward anything
which may be useful to our country. And
praying you to accept il at only what Il is
worth, | add the assurance Of my constant
and affectionate friendship and respect.
'THOS. JEFFERSON"