The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-20

But, although the conduct OF tho Spanssh
general u 10 every way deserving Of censure,
the Quarrel & one Of American seeking. The
native instruction ia Cuba was very iUconsid-
erabia, and probably il had Its origin in the
United States 1t cannot be called natioral
movement But ii 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 impesfectly understood IN the
republic The first statesmen OF the CniOA UNI
hesitatingy avow principles that are utterly OPP
posed to the received maxims of internatit nal
law. Even the language of Mr. Webster. on
the question of the Caroline bears out tn a
certain degree, the right Of warfare claimed by
the annex Ati0nist party. According 10 that au-
thority, synIpathisers" are not pirates, and
\ ey hnve a right to be treated with peculiar
consideration In other words, ii is only reqai.
site 10 avow u roticaI motive in order to justify
the invasion of bandiiti Such, undoubtedly. .
the American feeling, and it has been encour-
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, tho question was dropped, and an apology
for the violation OF the American waters SUI
feed to atone for the burning of the United
States vessel. Ia the afr .ir 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 OF liens. In the one IL
was popular, and was supported by the Wash
ington dpomacy--in the other, it was both
popular and profitable, and was maintained by
the resources of the Union Thus far the at
tack upon Cuba corresponds with former pre-
cedents. The American name is fully commit
tsd to the enterprise by the aots Of Individual
sdventurers; and the sequel will show whether
the central authority, supported by the North
eastern States, in strong enough to resist the
movements of the South and the demands of
the mob and to keep faith with foreign govern
ments. Ga the conduct Of the Cabinet mt 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 its most valu-
able colony. Nor is it a matter of Indifference
to France and Great Britain. to whom the island
of Cuba belongs for, ii it were 10 the hands of
the Americans, it would give them the undis-
puted empire of the Gulf of Mexico-the Med
itcraDean of The 9th n hemisphere. The Gu
ban insurrection may become more than a
merely American question.
In general theinterests involved are sufficiently
important to justify speculation upon the eventu-
4itiss which may arise In America, the subject
will be mixed up with the slavs question and
the desire Of extending the Dominion Of the Pc
public will be stimulated by the efforts of a
powerful interest. 10 Europe, the proRagandism
OF American citizens will be looked upon with
suspicion, whilst the IN royoked aggression
upon Spain will excite com nisssratiqlj and if
the government Of the United States SHOULD take
IN the quarrel, the most serious conseq FENCES
might ensue According to the most probable
account, the Spaniard, have not much to fear
from their own colonial subjects, divI ed as they
are into the three distinct classe, Of Creoles, ma
tive Spanarda, or Peninsulars, as they called.
and oolored people. Notwithstanding the alleged
discontent Of the Cutaps, it is scarcely likely
that they are willing 70 unite with Americans
for it must be very clear to them that, If they
were anneEed to the States, their language and
nationality ,uld DO destroy d. According to
an expressive American phrase, they would be
Improved Off the face of the eaith." We may,
therefore, anticipate that, In the event of con
flict, considerable resistance will be made to
the invaders The Spantards, unquestionably,
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 liberatng the
negroes, and of establishing an internecine war
witt, the American apostles Of liberty. They are
not so defenceess as the Mexic ins--they have a
large European garrison, and government
which, though wanting in direction. is certainly
not deficient in vigor. In any case, the conquest
would not be an easy one and such result is
not yet to be anticipated, in spite of the impu-
dent staggering of mobs of buccaneers in the
cities Of the Union, Bot we cannot be blind to
the dangers involved in the recent occurrences
at Havana; for, with people W 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 goyernpent should show it.
self superior to the popular impulse,