The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-09-03
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY MORNING, SEPT. $, 1858.
Lord John RusscIrs Despatch Respecting tho
Proposed Tripartite Cuban Convention.

The latest Epglish journals received in this county
though they men'ion the production Of The Cubaa IA
pers in the British Parliament make no alusion to any
remarks upon the subject by the British Secretary for
Foreign Affairs. We infer. therefore, that there was
mistake msapprehension in the information heretofore
alluded TO by and derived from credible source in
England, TO the effect that such speech had accompa
MED the production OF the papers The despatch OF Lord
John Russell is then 10 be judged without such official
commen, as an expression OF the views of the Brit
ish government la another column will be found
article from the Boston Post in the general scope and
DRIFT OF which respecting those propositions
in Lord John Russells letter to which il refers There
are, however. some points in that despatch in udg
menl alike important and nadm.sble, which the Post
appears to have omitted reserved for future exani
nation, and 10 which deem ii proper to invite the
attention of our readers.
Towards the close OF the British letter the fol-
lowing very extraordinary paragraph:
"Nor let ii be saii thu, such convention would have
prevented the inhabitants OF Cuba from asserting their in
dependence. With regard internal troubles the pro-
posed convention altogether silent. But pretended
dec aration of Independence with view Of Immediately
seeking refuge, Eom revots the par of the blacks,
der the shelter Of the United States would justly be locked
upon as the same in ci+c us formal anne xatlon."
will be perceived that the declaration of independ
"uil The Uiec' Of Immediately asking aid Iom the United
States against consequent instruction Of the blacks in
the island These limitations in The British proposition
in judgment, practically amount TO nothing, be-
cause they have no Foundation IN the nature Of
tie contemplated. A declaration OF independ-
ence made without due authority from the people
is no declaration at all but # made by due au-
hsrify the part OF the people, il is not within the
r..
ration mere preiente II is the most solemn ac,
which PEOPLE perform, ard. If dAy performed, in
wolves considerations altogether too momentous permit
il to be regarded shan. The other limitation is
equally unfounded in the nature of the case because, if
the Cubans declare their Independence they must do in
full view of negro instruction Spain having been under
stood repeatedly threaten 10 the neg al
liberty in such event. in order pu, down a .evou
tionaIy movem,n, in Cuba by the torch and the knife
in negro hands. 1t is easy to see, therefore, that
whenever the Cubans declare themselves ndspsnde mt
they will do OF necessity in full view Of the horrors
OF 4 consequent serse war OF determination. and, OF
course, with the "ths view Of seeking shelter" from
such horrors wherever such shelter may be found. All
these conditions suppose TO be involved in the very
nature Of the which the above. cited proposition
contempls,es. They show that the limitations OF the
British proposition practically amount 10 nothing.
The proposition. then. is that, assuming declaration
ofindependence and revolution in Cuba, and
quent revolt OF the blacks under Spanish authority and
by Spanish any act OF aid TO the Gu
bans by the United Stsles however urgently invoked by
III, m, is in the view OF the British government TO be
gared and resisted alike Objectionable and unwaanled
Now, OF this British proposition so stated. before
touching its bearing upon other cardinal points OF
American policy, remark tina, IL sets at defiance
every dictate OF humanity. and even of civilization.
What stronger case be imagined to invoke and
to justify the inlerposiion Of the United States
than such appeal from the people OF Cnba in a
state OF revolution 10 them from general masss.
ere. and their beautiful island from harbarza,on at the
hands OF savage and nfura,el negroes thus lie, loose
upon them'
is purpose anticipate the decision either OF
the American government OF the American ps ople
u,on the question OF such nlerpos,ion by the United
States in the have supposed That question
will doubtless be considered and decided when the
arises Our poin, is, that il Great Britain properly
dtnounee beforehand unuaranted and admissible, such
incorporation by in such then there
whatever involving relations with the communities
this continent, and our action towards them. in which
Great Britain may not, with at eas, equal right, pretend
to interfere and 10 dictate.
Look at The undspui~d facts OF the case Here is an
island almost within sight OF our coas,--commandnc
the great oute, Of principal staple products
forming naturally rart OF the American territorial
and commercial system That island is wreichedly
misgoverned BY European power. BY the show.
ing OF the British government ITSELF the Spanish
rulers there, 10 addition 10 what else in their rule
is ntolerable, have been for years past in defiance
of solemn Treaties the confedeaes Of the African slave
traders And yet Great Britain tell The Uni
ted States, that If the Cubans rse agaus, their oppres
the United States shall n,srpose protect them
from the savage slaughter OF servle war; excited and
inst gated Tor their destruction
The British government will hardly pretend that any
question arifs our relations with the communities
OF this continent Of deeper iaeres, in all aspects
than would be the question presented to in Cuba by
the very which the above exrac, eupposes, and in
which England thus openly undertakes 10 prescribe in
advance TO us the only line OF policy which it will
gard admissible. The British diciun is that when
that Gaze arises, whatever may think OF il, ~
to let hs ,ohois mailer alons under peril Of Eng
sh displeasure if we move in il. We do not deem
it necessary TO waste woids upon such Brsh pre-
tension. We entertain not the slightest doubt that
the whole American people WILL with voice. repn-
diaie and repc IT, II is hard TO believe that the British
government has put forward such petenson seriously
II, -. q k-l.-