The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-29
Views Of Lord Palmerston ON the Cuban
Oanfc ultv.


Oanfc atty.
From the London Globe, Of Nov. 1871
The remarks made by Lord Palmerston las. night
with regard to " the retention Of the island Of
Cuba, by Spain, are of far more Importance than
their brevity might Indicate IL is very sstisfao TO-
~ to observe that one Influential member Of the Par
lament has eye upon that spot of the globe. and
is not only able, as we all know, to understand the
real nature Of the question which turns upon that
island but is also prepared to watch the conduct Of
the governn ept, and to see that there be no juggling
In the use Of British influences Lord Palmerssons
predictions in favor Of negro emancipation
strong and 50. we'll known that there can be no
doubt as to the purity Of his intentions in that
respect 1t perfectly impossible to suppose
that Lord Palmerston can intend to favor any pro
ject for making Cuba the instrument of q party
desiring to strengthen the slayeholdpg Interests OF
Whatsoever country. But the true substance Of the
Cuban question has been concealed under . pre-
tended controversy upon that subject It is probable
that the saveboldiDg interests OF the United States
supply very small proper ion of the motives which
acuate the citizens OF that republic in desiring the
annexation of Cuba. There are two other motives
much more obvious and much more distinctly
avowed. One is the spirit of territorial aggran-
diaemept, which actuates very great number in
the Union to seek the annexation Of territory in
order to the extension Of their peculiar institutions
The other motive. which merits some consideration,
is that Cuba is considered the key to the naviga
ton OF the Mississippi at its embouchre into the
Gulf OF Mexico. glance at the map will show
how the magnificent island commands that vast
estuary. Now, without for q moment anticipating
grounds, We may observe that it is both uncandid
and impOlitic to conceal the true political motives
that press upon the American people, and to pretend
that the contemplated annexation of Cuba is solely
dictated by the desire of adding to the slave-hold
ing States.
fact that the Spanish government is doing all that
it can to the helding character OF the
issI d, and Is thus doing exactly mat 1t imputes
its adversary. But this in the Spanish gov-
erDment is even more remarkable in other respects
1t would be deluson to ignore the fact, that there
exists in the island parties, more or less numerous
and we are not prepared to define their proper
ton Who desire annexation to the American re-
public simply because they wish to secure means
Of personal freedom to the citizens which they do
not enjoy at present, and wish also to secure for
their fertile country share of that prosperity which
every State Of the Union enjoys. The Americans
actually settled in the island may be considered an
element IN this party. But there are other parties
who adhere to the Spanish connection very strong
ly; and they in tho first place, certain prepor-
tion OF the Old and more purely Spanish families,
whose incentive is the expectation Of sharing tho
sweets OF oclsl patronage; and in the second place
the slave dealers, who think that they shall
be more secure in the promotion Of their
tracing interests, through the corrupt sane
tion which they anticipate from the official repre-
sen atives of tho government at Madrid, than they
would have from the government at Washington.
For must be as vol known to the slave
traders Of Cuba as it is to the most enthusiastic
free soil man of che Union that the future policy Of
the United States tends to the restriction and uti
mate suppression Of slavery while the slave trade
hourshes best under the local corruption amongst
the officials OF Cuba, and the love of revenue, how
eoeyer produced, in the needy treasury of Madrid
Under Influences like these, even at the present mo-
ment, several cargoes of slaves are landed on the
coast OF Cuba. What, then, becomes of the profess
sion that Spain defends Cuba against possible an
Dexsti0n of the Union, in order to advance the
emancipation of the negro!
Lord Psmerston' 3 exposition is the more valuable
since it is requisite that the English people should
nd h4 nf ba TN rtio 20 %bA
litigation now going on in partly covert manner,
and also the stustion of this country between tho
two. The present Government in Downing street
processes to inter pose in Cuba between Spain and
the United States the ground that it is pledged
to do so by its treaty relations with SPAIN but 1t
the Same time that Spain claims the support of the
English Government on the faith Of treaties it is
infringing distinct treaty stipulations with this
country, in permitting the importation of negro
slaves The whole position of Spain on that island
therefore, is dishonest mystifca ion and there is
too much to fear that che present occupants
Of the English Foreign Office lend themselves to
that dish onest my siihcat0n. In support of high
principle with perfectly honorable and straight
tor~srd course before 1t, any great country will feel
itself obliged to protect weak and decayed govern
mert like that of Spain, even against rising and
powerful State like that Of the American republic;
and when We fed British interests thus hazarded
against almost overwhelming power, we look for
= clear CAGE on the behalf Of her protsge; but ia
the present instance, the risk is incurred without
the Justification: the sacrifice, the plea Of treaty
ties and negro emancipation, turns out to be rem
Gered on behalf of State that iniripges treaties
to encourage slave h0ldipg!
Cuba is not the only place in which British in
tertsts are Involved very tremendously, under the
ders'and but whom We must mistrust in the highest
degree Our great contemporary this morning, is
urging the necessity of being prepared against any
eveIusites that may arise from the action of very
powerful and very inscrutable neghbor. Aud when
il is observed that that neighbor is not only power
iul already, but is necessarily making additions to
his poweris exercising and practising evolutons Of
troops, embai katons OF troops and accommodating
tillery to IN unprecedented amount-we must feel
s0lcious that proportionate preparations should be
In adiness side 1t is an evil to be en-
cunbered with such pre- partitions, and under the cir
cumstances it is necessary evil 1t would, doubt,
be very inexpedent that any preparations which
official people may have in hand should be publicly
stated but 10 the absence of any distinct explanation
on hat point, we want to have general kno Wedge
Of the character Of the responsible ministers and Of
their pact guarantees. Now, We have, with respect
to pIesen. ministers. neither the confidence that
they 81 mpathise with tho liberal party or with the
great body Of the English people; nor that they
have the same objects with that party and that
people; nor even that they understand the rela.
lions Of English interests and foreign interests on
the many fields where they conflicting at the
present moment For example, the position which
cur official representatives. are understood to occupy
in Cuba just now implies that they mother under
the merits Of the question the relation which
the interests of this country bear to the two powers
10 dispute; nor even, tney were TO understand the
affair. that they would desire those things which
tho English people would desire. Again, wessee
Belgium giving way under the pressure OF neigh
boz VINO js the same neighb9r that dictates the
warnings ofthe leading journal, and the neigh
Dor that receiver, in the royal speech composed
by tie present ministers, expressions indicating in
their tone an unusual sympathy. 1t is true that
liberal statesmen have never been suspected Of any
prejudicsd hostility to the dominant influence in
that neighboripg country but, as in the case of
Cuba, no man can doubt that Mt least one liberal
statesman would understand what is going forw ard,
ard that bis ultimate objects would be similar to
those Of the Engab people. IL Is needless to null
tiply instances in the conduct Of foreign aif.rs;
neither usage, perhaps expedency, permits that
explicitDefs which is easy in home affairs and At .
time OF disturbed or doubtful peace overt express
si0ns become stiil moro ques Iionable. IL is pre-