The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-16
FOREIGN INTERVENTION.

The recent rumor of negotiations between
England France, and Spain with view to
securing Cuba to Spain on condition of her
consentng to give the Creoles a local Leglsla-
ture, allow them representation in the Cortes,
and provide for the gradual abolition OF slavery,
has been the subject of wordy controversy
between the Republic and the Union OF this
place. The Union, without stopping to inquire
whether the supposed guaranty was to be
against foreign invasion or domestic revo-
luton. fercely assailed it, as in direct con-
fict with the declaration of Mr.. Monroe against
foreign intervention with the affairs of this
Continent and it called upon the President to
take immediate ground against any attempts
at interference on the part Of England and
France, The Republic at first seemed willing
to avoid the question but at last spoke out in
timating that guaranty by those Powers to
Spain against the invasion of Cuba would be
very different matter from guaranty to Sc
cure the island to Spain against both invasion
and revolution and, besides, would impose very
different duties on the Chief Executive. The
Union, not yet satisfied, continued its impor-
tunity, until it drew from the Presidential or
gan an article quite threatening in its tone Its
vagueness however, allows of convenient con-
structions, to be determined according to cir
cumstances.
"Om Government it says, "will protect
Cuba, to the extent Of its power, from all inva-
sion from this country But a very different
| question is presented when European nations
| propose to intervene and to protect Cuba from
the consequences of alleged ilegitimate inter-
ference If the Spanish Government cannot
maintain itself in Cuba without foreign inter-
yention it would seem that the time had come
| when it ought to relinquish its dominion for
| this kind of Intervention can be prosecuted only
under circumstances that will materially affect
the rights interests, and relations of third par
ties The time has gone by, we apprehend for
| the interference of Great Britain, or any other
European Power, in the affairs of this Continent
| beyond the limits of its own colonial dependen-
cics in the expectation of accomplishing any
practically useful result We are well persua-
ded that European nations for the future, will
| lie much better occupied in attending to the af-
fairs of their own Continent than in intermed-
ding with ours.
J In throwing out these views we are speak
nas ono ,,1,,,vr.,,i 4 u. 49,.
people and we warn the Times and all whom
| it represents that the first show of British in
tervention in Cuban affairs will be the signal
for movement that neither Cuba nor Great
Britain nor all the European Powers combined
can resist for on this point the mind of the
| American people is made up, and their will in
this respect will give the law to American
policy and conduct There is no disposition ON
the part of the large majority of the American
people for the conquest of Cuba or her forcible
annexation to the United States-and the only
security for Cuba is in the protection of the
Government of the United StatesI and the alb
sence of all foreign interference"
We are against European interference in the
affairs of this Continent, with a view to impair
the independence of any of its States, to obtain
q control over their councils, to bolster up des-
potic authority, or to obstruct popular move
ments in behalf of free institutions For this
reason, we should protest against a guaranty
on the part Of England and France to uphold
the authority of Spain in Cuba against the mil
of the people there, should they assert their right
to independence and elf-goyernment. But we
are not informed that any such guaranty is
proposed The report is, that the security
proffered by the two Powers named is against
the inrasion of Cuba by foreign nation with
view particularly of wrestling it from Spain.
Does the Republic mean to say that against such
guaranty, MIR Fillmore will protest, and go to
war if necessary, to procure its abrogation II
it does, we do not believe that ON this point il
speaks by authority.
The Chief Executive could not be silly enough
to commit itself and the country to line o
policy so utterly absurd and unjustifable. al
the Spanish Government" says the Republic
"cannot maintain itself without foreign inter
vention, it would seem that the time had com,
when it ought to relinquish its dominion
Aye-but suppose foreign Intervention agains
its possession Of Cuba be attempted, and it car
battle this only through counteracting foreign
Intervention what then Would it seem that
it ought in such an event to reIinquish its au.
thOrityl Would it have no right to ask its al
lies for aid in the defence of its rights and pos
sessions? Suppose England should mediate the
seizure of Cuba, would the Republic see any
thing wrong in joint guaranty by France and
the United States against that aggression
Why has not Spain right to secure herself by
what alliances she may please to form, against
the aggressive policy of any other Power?
1t is hardly worth while to provoke the con-
tempt or hostility Of the civilized world by set
ting up pretensions which no nation can submit
to without sacrificing its self-respect, and con-
| ceding our right to universal empire
"THE GENIUS OF LIBERTY" is the title of a
| periodical, published monthly in Cincinnati, by
| Elizabeth A. Aldrich 1t is devoted to the ex-
hibition of Womans Duties, and the advocacy
of Woman's Rights The paper and type used
are beautiful, and much taste is displayed in