Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-11-24

Inc London Times OF tue -ckb uitimo has
very long aud angry editorial respecting
the Crescent City and Coruelia affairs The
Times lays down the law as if it were the
umpire between the nations of the world, and
finally, with exceeding absurdity. invokes the
aid of Louis Napoleon against the United
States in case of war with Spain. besides
undertaking to foreshadow the pcrtentuous
attitude of the British Ministry on the ques-
ton, with hint that il would not look on
passively. But the Times, as the New York
Commercial suggests, is either ignorant. OF
pretends to be ignorant. Of the fact, that most
Of the influential American Journals, and the
government of the United Stater, have faith
fully upheld the laws andrights Of nations in
those instances, and that no disposition has
been manifested at Washington, or by any
considerable portion Of the American people,
to violate good faith or carry aggression into
Cuba The Times gives the United States
the following gratuitous counsel, which only
betrays the ignorance of that journal with re
spect to the government and people of this
Republic. Says the Times:
Powerful as the American people unques
tionaLly are in the defence of all that belongs
to themselves, M nation has in these days
the strength or The means to run riot in the
world, and crafty its own lusts and caprices
at the expense of others. This rash and dam
gerous course will, if adopted, bring them into
collision with other States besides Spain, and
they would enter into such contest degra-
ded in the eyes Of the world by the popular
violence and injustice which have dictated
these expressions.
The conquest of Cubs will not easily be
effected BY a mere band of freebooters, it. in
deed. another Lopez expedition were allowed
to quit the shores Of the United States. But
We fear that the American Government will
be gradually led on to do, as it did in the case
Of Texas, what every man Of honesty con-
dennis. Let them not suppose, however, that
such measures are to be taken with impuni
ty. because Spain is no longer the power she
once was. Spain has still the means Of de-
stroying the trade Of America with the Med
itcrranean, and of inficting tremendous los
ses upon it by means Of letters Of marquo all
over the world. Except Cuba and Porto
Rico, she has now no western colonies. and no
important trade for America to assail.
Moreover. upon question of this magni.
tudc and Importance to all the maratime
States Spain does not stand alone. We do
not pretend to be acquainted with the views
Of our own government upon this subject
though it is evident that the acquisition oil
the Havana by the naval power of the United
States would be a change which no British
Minister would view with Indifference But
the course which France may pursue is still
more obvious.
louis Napoleon has every inducement to
defend the interests of Spain, and to strength.
en- the relations between his own Governmcn,
and that of Madrid Nothing would better
suit him than an opportunity of displaying
aud augmenting the naval power Of France, BY
espousing the cause of Spain against such al
antagonist for such an expedition would
6atter the country and occupy the public
mind with no serious risk to any French in
terest.
However this may be, the firm and collec-
tive resolution of the maratime powers Of
Europe to oppose the aggressive policy fthe
United States, when it extends even beyond
the North American continent to Cuba and
the Sandwich Islands. is the safeguard of
peace. which might otherwise be sacrificed to
the cutlery of an indignation meeting;' and
the rashness of the American democracy
could hardly commit a greater act of folly
than to provoke such contest, without being
assured OF tho countenance, or even of the
neutrality of any of the powers.
These mutterings and threatenings of the
Times will naturally attract some attention in
this country. the Times being SO universally
looked upon as kind Of authoritative expo
nent Of British public opinion. if not British
Government policy.