The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-22
The Island or Cuba-Its Destiny.


For many years past, the destiny of the Island
of Cuba has occupied mems minds on both SIDES
of the Atlantic. The richness of that beautiful
isle the splendor of its climate the value of its
agricultural productions-all tend to attract the eyes
of every neighborng nation to those Characters
tics, and its history, from which is predicted
change in Its destiny at some early day. 1t has
renamed true in Its fidelity to the Spanish govern
ment for great length of time while all the other
Spanish possessions have separatedfrom that CROWN
and taken up their own line of march. Oflae years.
however, that island has given, on various occa-
sions, unequlvocal symptoms Of dissatisfaction
with its present position, which only tend to in
crease the vigilance of the Spanish government In
preserving their strength there intact, or in in
creasing the jealousy of England and the United
States, as to any change that may take place.
The subject of its independence of Spain has
been more frequently alluded to in the American
journals, since the war with Mexico commenced
BY one of our contemporaries, this subject has been
pursued with shocking recklessness, ignorance,
and even incapacity to understand it. We allude
to the Ne,c York Sun. We have been called upon
to notice the following article, which appeared In
that journal on the 18th lnst.:-
Our FLAG INsuLrEp.-Under this head stated
sometime SINCE the dsgracefu fact, that the cores
pondence Of American citizens was invaded by the
authorities Of Cuba, In manner equally dshonoring
to Spanish decency and American hrmness Commu-
nicatons addressed to consuls have been broken
open by order of Chacon the administrator Of Neuv
tas board of American vessels, and the captains,
though Yankees born and bred dare not resist the high
ter experience bad taught them how slow our govern
ment has been to protect our citizens in Cuba
We rejoice, however, to be able now to assure the
Americans there that the awless insults Of Spain too
must cease, she will have Cuba In which to play
the oppressor.
If the Cabinet does not act promptly, the Senate is
prepared to demand explanations, and Congress will
give the who returning from the conquer
ed capital of Mexico, holiday in Havana. Our stars
will rise all the on the Moro for the arrogance
Of such impertinent blunderers Cbacon. 1t
well for Chacon and Spanish rule in this destined
island that it not his responsible master the
ernor-General, that ventured to break sealed
letter to American consul while it was still sheltered
by our fog. General Robert Campbell, our esteemed
and patriotic consul at Havana Is not at all the
to permit his flag to be trampled under foot and his
first complaint Of the kind-if we may believe high
names at Washington--would be responded to by n
squadron the national account possibly few
steamers with passengers cutlery, hardware and gun
IN c.ens
recommend the Spanish officials not to forget law and
politeness in dealing with Uncle Sam
We understand that the American Consul for the
port of Neuvitas mentioned In this article, posi-
lively contradicts the assertion there made, and
denies that any sealed letters directed to him. have
been broken open by MIR. Chacon, or by his order
On the contrary, during resider ce of more than
three years at that port, the American Consul there
has found Mr.. Chacon uniformly gentlemanly,
courteous and obliging his department, not only
to himself, but to all American citizens at that
port. On Saturday last, gentleman called at the
SIM office to enquire on what authority these
charges were made against Mr.. Chacon, which
thus involved the American Consul The infor-
character. Mr.. Beach, editor of the Sun, replied
that Mrs Storms Ia literary lady living in Park
placed was the author of the article in ques-
ton, and furnished the matter for the columns
of the Sun. The informant also gathered
from other quarters, that that lady was the
principal writer for that journal, and that
she would be ready at any moment to correct any
misstatement or misrepresentation, if a proper APP
peal was made to her, at her residence. 1t is also
stated that Mrs Storms has travelled through Cuba
and Mexico, during the last year, in company with
Mr. Beach, for the purpose of collecting Informal
ton on the state of that interesting island, and
Mexico also, in order to aid and assist in the an
ncxation of both of these beautiful countries to the
United States at very early day. From this it
was inferred that the information was probably
correct but we are positively informed that, as
far as the charges against Mr.. Chacon are con-
cened, they are entirely incorrect and without
any foundation in fact.
We know not how these matters may be in re-
ference to our cotemporary-nor is it matter
OF much consequence who IS the writer, the
editor, or the manager of the Sun-but we
are very much afraid that, unless the ques-
ton of Cuba is treated with a great deal
Of moderation and sound sense-with some
tact, too-any sudden movement in that quar-
ter may only create another San Domingo on
the American coast AT this moment the Spanish
government has sixteen thousand troops scattered
over the island. 1t is very true those troops en-
force dsspotic government on the creoles, or the
white population Of that island but they also en-
force obedience on the part of the numerous black
population. If these troops were withdrawn, or
any local revolution to break out, weakening
the public authority, in one week, we
verify believe, the beautiful island of Cuba
would present nothing but scenes of muir
der, bloodshed burning, and violence, such as San
Domingo did under the liberty and equality sud
denly thrown on them by the old French
revolution, and which Martinique does at
the present day by the new revolution. The
only way to preserve the value, beauty, peace,
and the worth of'Cuba to its proprietors, would
be, for the two governments of the United
States and Of Spain to enter into friendly
negotiations--the one for the purchase, and
the, other for the sale. of that lovely spot,
with all its responsibilities and all its values
A sudden popular revolution of any kind there
would merely bring about those scenes which made
San Domingo what il was.
The course, therefore, looking at the question in
this point OF view, adopted by our contemporary, the
Sun, In this matter, is dictated by shallow igno-
rance, without paying due attention to the les
sons Of history, and the facts connected with the
progress Of the d erent races on this hemisphere.