The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-19

would carry on in all times of hOetiities, from
her various postions which would encirce the Gulf
from the Bahamas to Cuba, and to Yucatan! And
who also can fail TO that in time Of peace,
her many harbors would become places of refuge for
certain class OF our population and that perpetual
collisions would occur involving the peace of the two
countries?
The Gulf of Mexico, sir, must be practically an
American lake, for the great purpose Of security,
not to exclude other nations from its endowment
but To prevent any dominant power, with foreign or
remote interests from controlling its naviga-
ton. 1t becomes US to look our difficulties in the
face. Nothing is gained by blinking great qucs-
ton. Prudent statesmen should survey it, and, as
far as may be, provide for it. We have, indeed, no
Mount Carmel, like that Of Judea, nor prophet to
ascend it and TO warn us against a coming Storm
But the home Of every citizen is Mount Carmel for
us, whence he can survey the approaching cloud
even when no bigger than mans hand, which threat
ems to overspread the political atmosphere, and to
burst in danger upon his country.
So long as Cuba is held by its present pOssess0rs
neither we nor the commercial world have anything
to fear from the projects Of England or France for
the latter country also has its schemes OF territorial
and mercantile Accomplishment, as is apparent from
the considerations have already presented I'd the
Senate. Spain is not now in condition. and in all
human probability never can be, seriously to annoy
u.s. even if she had the disposition; and we may
well rely upon her want OF power and her want Of
will and rest satisfied that her most precious depen-
dency the Queen Of the Antilles, will not be hazarded
by converting it into military and naval arsenal for
ting our coasts But let the dominion be transferred
to England or France, and where are we? The mouth
Of our great river might be Theoretically closed and
the most disastrous injuries inflicted upon us. need
not pursue these considerations further, for he who
is ncredulous 70 their force could not be driven from
his ncredufity by any effort of mine.
Such being the intimate relation between this
island fortress and our safety and prosperity, are
there such indications Of danger call upon provi
dent nation to decide upon its course promptly and
pursue it inexibly The signs upon this subject are
neither few nor doubtful. ] am not going to review
them but no man Of ordinary sagacity looking to
the acknowledged policy of France and England can
question the desire Of both Of them to acquire th,
commanding position. And characteristic incident
occurred not long since in the House of Commons,
| which shows the views Of British statesmen upon
this subject. Lord George Bentnck, of the most
distinguished public men of England, and then the
| Tory leader in the Commons, in discussion which
took place there, said:" He had read in the Times
an extract from a United States paper, in which it
stated, that the United States did not possess
herself of Cuba, Great Britain would; and that Eng
land had greater claim, by one hundred fold, to
Cuba than the United States had to Mexico because
a sum Of s45, 100000 was due to British Subjects
and Cuba was hypothetical for the debt &c. He
would, therefore, say at once let them (the Brtsh)
take possession OF Cuba and settle the question alto
gether Let them dstrain upon it for the just debt
due--and too long in van-rom the Spanish gov
eminent" And then comes the true key to the Eng
lish heart. Then, depend upon it," continued the
speaker, when Great Britain possessed the Havana,
as once she did, in 1862, when she held ID for about
year, and then exchanged it for the Floridas, and
when she could cut the trade of America in two, no
more boasts would be heard OF what the United
States could do &c.
The Importance OF Cuba To our interest seems to
be pretty well appreciated in the halls of British
| legislation. This last candid avowal of design and
desire to cut in twain the commerce along our
Southern coasts would find its proper place in pre-
cious article, published some years since in "Back
woods Edinburg Magazine" entitled "A war with
the United States-a blessing to mankind'-illed
with of the most cold bOOded suggestions that
i ever IN ka1 even IF vii
SANDERS against this country. The present security
of Cuba from European interference, independent Of
our position is to be found in the jealousy of France
| and England; and could this be removed by any
scheme OF partition, the mortgage would be fore
cl0sed-fOr France, also has similar lein-and the
property transferred as soon the process could be
completed. And we are reminded, in the recent cor
respondence between Mr.. Everett and the Ministers
| OF France and England, on the subject Of the pro-
posed trpartite treaty SUCCESSFULLY Significantly
may be, that this hypothecaon is yet in full force
as British and French subjects, as well as the
French government. are, different accounts, cred
tors OF Spain for large sums OF money! How soon
the creditors may dcstran, in the language OF Lord
George Bentinck, may depend upon our course
should we keep on Mr.. Canning's line of political
knowledge, and say, IF you touch the island that act
will be a declaration OF war against the United
| States"
Besides, no man can look at the aspect Of Europe
without feeling assured that from day to day COLI
sions may arise between nations, and internal con-
WILSON'S may shake the very frame of society, and
wars may thus break out, extending their effect
through the globe The Spanish monarchy, it may
he, is incapable Of rejuvinatiOn. do not know how
that may be, and leave it to wiser to u rasher
man than am TO speak confidently. But certainly
that kingdom is marked with the signs of some APP
preaching catastrophe. II the new French empire
follows the traditions, it inherits the name and
the institutions Of the old, which rose and fell with
its founder, the greatest name, in my opinion, in
modern if not in ancient European history, it will
soon make itself felt in the Hesperian pennsnlar
and become the arbter OF its fate To rely. as some
profess to do upon the security which the present
state OF things in Europe gives to the Spanish domn
ion in Cuba, Is TO neglect the most obvious dictates
OF policy and to abandon an object OF vast impor
lance 0the mere chance OF events.
The correspondence to which | have just al
luded gives rise u some serious reflections
Before advertIng to these, however | desire
to express my warm appreciation OF the letter
Of Mr.. Everett II IL worthy of his character
and il is marked by lofty patriotic American feel
ing have seldom seen document more conclt
slve in its argument more beautiful in it, style OF
Illustrations. If it had announced openly that we
desire to purchase Cuba and that declaration would
have been appropriate to the occasion, should have
given to it almost my unqualified adhesion. But
even with that omission, ! feel proud OF it rs al,
American state paper.
And thank Mr.. Everett for the reproof or retort
be it one or the other, calstc though little resery-
ed, as became his position, but plain enough withaI
which he administers to his diplomatic correspon-
dent, on the subject of Our territorial acquisitions
i SVhpdiCu WIN tHOSt Vi TfiHCC ana CQ1ldNu. III
there Is one chapter in the whole history Of human
hypocrisy, from the time OF the parable Of the Pha-
risee, who thanked God he was not rs other men,
and especially as that Publican, down to the last
diatribe against the graspng propensity OF the Uni
ted States, more remarkable than any other for its
inconsistency it is that which records the boasts OF
European NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., compared with that
Publican on the western side Of the Atlantic, who
cOvets all he sees and snatches all he can Mr. Ever
etts defence OF the history OF acquisitions is I'M
answerble, as well with relation to the means by
which they were obtained, to the melioratons re-
sulting from them. Truly has he said, EVERY add
ton to the territory Of the American Union has given
homes to European destitution and gardens to Euro
pean want" And he might have added with equal
truth, freedom and the rights Of man TO European
vassalage. He says rather slyy, that the extensive
accessions made to French and English dominion
"have created no uneasiness in the United States'
and that probabyn-he speaks with dinlomatic