The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-16
The Aspect OF tho Cuba Question.


II ever there was plain, palpable-nay, almost
tangible-instance OF the gods refusing to assist
those who do not assist themselves it is certainly to
be seen in the Spanish rule of Cuba.
The maintenance Of Spain one Of the foremost
OF the second rate covers is an object of European,
if not universal, interest," and the possession of the
great island OF Cuba in peace and prosperity, is as
essential to the preservation Of that position as is
the island of Java to Holland 1t yields the govern
mept of the mother country considerable tribute it
enables it to keep large military force it is the
source Of still great wealth to large proprietary
class at home; 1t stimulates no commercial spirit
Of Spain it is the means of preserving to that
kingdom mercantile marine it come cts it with
the vslious countries Of Europe and America it a
fords civil and military employment to great num-
Der of Spaniards; it is the last and vaua able
relic OF the PAST greatness of its Indian possessions
it ought, from its position to become the entrepot
of the Spanish ppin and, under rational system
OF government, There are really no present. or appa-
rent limits to its growth and prosperity.
Yet, gradually, the feeling tina. Spain cannot
long preserve what is thus SO necessary to her well
iare is becoming universal and though this feel
ing is partly attributable to belief in the bucca-
neerDg and aggressive schemes of part of the popu
alton Of the United States, it is also in no light
degree owing to the belief that the continued fde-
ty Of Cuba itself to Spain Is incompatible with tho
manner in which this great transatlantic possession
8 governed. Whether this belief be well i'll
founded, certain it is that the best and cheapest
mode of preserving so valuable colony, is to rule
on wiser system than prevails.
After so long and active intercourse az has ex-
isted between Cuba and the United States; when it
has become to the northea parts Of the Ameri
can republic, another Italy, whore health pleasure,
and erjoy ment are sought by the wealthy and tho
dissipaed; after al owing hundreds Of its finest
tates to be conducted and managed by American
overseers and now that great commercial interests
have grown up--it is idle and puerile in the Span
ish authorities to attempt to isolate Cuba from the
United States. 1t cannot be done, and the attempt
to do will precipitate the very danger it design
ed to avert Sel-preservation s, doubt, the first
law of nations well as of individuals But in dri
wing away steamers accustomed for series of years
freely to enter the ports Of Cuba because they pos
siby have on board an obnoxious steward cook, or
passenger, is SO obviously to injure the innocent
many, in order to get at guilty individual. as to
be certain to create just feelings of indignation
the part OF the American government; and thereby
to bring it into collision and hostility with the au.
thorities of the Havana state Of things sure to
end in mischief to Cuba
During the events which preceded, attended, and
followed the piratcal expedition Of Lopez, the Aue
rcsn government, it cannot be denied, fulfilled its
international duties to Cuba. IL proclaimed tho
preIarations-it seized part of the expedition-it
sent naval force to intercept the rest-it acknow
LEGGED the right of Cuba to deal with particpators
in that crime as pirate nterfered at Madrid
behalf Of the captured only on grounds Of huma-
vernment satisfaction for the outrages psrpetsted
on its consul az New Orleans. The authorities Of
Cuba ought not, therefore, lightly to give the
binet at Washington any excuse to depart from a
gency much to their advantage, still less TO asso-
cate the revived cOnspiraces in the States against
Cuba with just and reasonable complaints on the
part of the American government against needless
interruptions and foolish distractions to peaceab
and useful commerce And this is really what those
authorities appear to be doing in the recent affairs
Of the CeInelia and the Crescent City
But oil reason and oil experience seem alike
thrown away upon the Court Of Madrid There it
is, in the nineteenth century, practising at home
corrupt, stupid, unintelligent despotism long ban
ished ard expelled from all other European couu-
tries; where, in these times despotism IL ut least
comparatively pure and Intelligent and active in
national improvements. And what Cuba first and
foremost suffers from is Spanish corruption, part-
cuDaIly the corruption Of the Court. la the mo-
ment of Cuba's danger, the people in possession Of
power at Madrid sent thther General Concha a.
Captain. General. But tho danger little allayed,
he was recalled And the cause of his recall was
substantially the superiority Of his govern uent Of
the island He repressed the slave trade with .
strong and vigorous hand; refused himself graft
fcations' for clandestinely permitting the intro
duction Of Africans, and forbade them to others.
This inteIfered with tho greed and rapacity Of .
lady too well known In the later annals of Spain.
She, moreover, had plan for realizing large sums
| by building speculation at Havana, which re-
quired the demolition Of some part Of the renewed
Notifications Of that city This Conchs positively
refused to sanction. He was recalled and, in the
present Captain General, more sabservient ruler
has been found Under his administr Ation-perhsp
We might say auspicss-even the slave trade begins
again 10 revive.
Though the loyalty of the Creole population OIL
| Cuba to the crown Of Spain has been tested: nay
even though that loyalty too frequently shows itse
BY insulting the citizens Of the United States In the
streets of Havana, il is not shined upon" bad
colonial system in Madrid has faith in feelings
sentiments Of attachment; 1t ha, gradually di mi
nisbed the municipal franchises formerly existing in
the island; il denies the native propretors all part
cpston in positions Of trust and authority; but il
imposes on them great army; and IL lsvies from
population of not more, probably, th m half nail
lion Of tax payers the enormous revenue Of fourteen
millions Of dollars. The prote ,ticn Of Spain !,
dearly bought at such price; and though, in spite
oft, material prosperity and wealth continue to in
crease in Cuba, the thought that under the protsc
tien Of Anglo. merican power the vxlnc all those
properties would soon be doubled must OCCASIONAL
pass through the minds of the Creole planters o
sugar and tobacco, and leave its effest behind
Yet the Creoes do not desire annexation to the
American leYlbl!c. IT, &c Spal:aia. sal k.s
all thA nri1a Of THAR NATHAN. fhex a. "a