The southern press., 1851-09-20

But, although the conduct Of the Spanish
general 10 in every way deserving OF censure
the quarrel is one of American seeking. The
native insurrection in Cubl was very inconsid-
erabe, and probably it had its origin in the
United States. ID cannot be called natoral
movement But IL it really were the rebellion
OF Spanish subjects against the royal authority
there is No excuse for the interference OF Amer.
lean citizens. Unfortunately, however, foreign
relations are most imperfectly understoodin the
republic. The first statesmen OF the Union un-
hesitatingly avow principles that are utterly op-
posed 10 the received maxims OF international
law. Even the language of Mr.. Webster, on
the question Of the Caroline, bears out to a
certain degree, the right Of warfare claimed by
the annexationist party According to that au-
thority, syuipathisers are not pirates, and
they have right to be treated with peculiar
consideration In Other words, II Is only reqni-
site to avow a roltical motive in order to justify
the invasion cf banditt. Such, undoubtedly a
the American feeling, and il has been enconr.
aged by the facility with which they have hith-
erto extended their empire. In their negotia-
ton with Great Britain, after the Canadian trou-
bles, the question was dropped, and an apology
for the violation Of the American waters suf-
feed to atone for the burning OF the United
States vessel In the atfir Of Texas, the fed
eral government took higher ground, and the
resistance Of Mexico provoked invasion and
conquest. In each case, the quarrel began in
the acts Of independent citizens. In the one it
was popular, and was supported by the Wash
ington diplomacy-in the other, it was both
popular and profitable, and was maintained BY
the resources of the Union. Thus far the at
lack upon Cuba corresponds with former pre-
cedents The American name is fully commit
ted to the enterprise by the acts Of individual
adyenturers and the sequel will show whether
the central authority, supported by the North
eastern States, is strong enough to resist the
movements Of the South and the demands OF
the mob, and to keep faith with foreign govern
ments. On the conduct of the Cabinet at WASH
ington will depend the attitude Of the European
powers The latter would contemplate with
unwillingness war between America and Spain,
and would be 10th to see the peninsular mon
archy weakened by the loss of it's most valu-
able colony. Nor is it matter Of indifference
to France and Great Britain. to whom the island
of Cuba belongs; for, it it were in the hands of
the Americans, it would give them the undis-
puted empire of the Gulf Of Mexico-the Med
terranean of the other hemisphere. The Gu
ban insurrection may become more than a
merely American question
In Observation-Disclosures involved are sufficiently
important to justify speculation upon the eyentu.
alities which may arise. In America, the subject
will be mixed up with the slav. question; and
the desire Of extending the dominion of the re-
public will be stimulated by the efforts of a
powerful interest In Europe, the propagandism
of American citizens will be looked upon with
suspicion, whilst the unprovoked aggression
upon Spain will excite com nisseration; and if
the government of the United States should take
up the qrarrel, the most serious consequences
might ensue According to the most probable
account, the Splniards have not much to fear
from their own colonial subjects, divi ed as they
are into the three distinct classes of Creoles ma
tive Spaniards, or Peninsulars, they are called
and colored people. Notwithstanding the alleged
discomfort of the Cubans, it is scarcely likely
that they are willing to unite with Americans !;
for 1t must be very clear to them that, if they
were annexed to the States, their language and
nationality would be destroyed. According to
an expressive American phrase, they would be
"improyed off the face Of the EARTH" We may,
therefore, anticipate that in the event of u con
fiict, considerable resistance will be made to
the invaders. The Spaniards, nnquestionably,
will not abandon Cuba without struggle, how.
ever strong may be the manifestation of pub
lie sentiment in the Union. They possess, too,
as last resource, the power of liberating the
negroes, and of establishing IN internecne war
with the American apostles of liberty. Tucy are
not 30 defenccless as the Mexic ins-they have u
large European garrison, and government
which, though wanting in direction, is certainly
not deficient in vigor. In any ease the conquest
would not be an easy one, and such a result is
not yet to be anticipated, in spite of the in,pu,
dent staggering of mobs Of buccaneers in the
cities Of the Union. But we cannot be blind 10
the dangers involved in the recent occurrences
at Havana; for, with people SD easily excited
as the Americans, the events to which we have
referred are sufficient to raise flame. 1t will
be signal triumph of the good sense of the
community, if the government should show it.
self superior to the popular impulse.