The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-17

CO"cha's Account OF the Lopez EXPEDITE On
Organization or Fresh FIliDu-S-ro Parly.
The subject Of Lopez expedition against
Cuba is not so hackneyed that the narrative
which we publish in another column. from the
pen of no less a parsonage than General Con-
cha, win lack interest even for the general
reader. For that large body among our cti-
zens whose sympathes were enlisted on the side
either OF the invaders or of the Spanish authori-
ties for the masses who do not disguise the
lively concern they take in all that relates to
the sland-the new light thrown upon the
event by the Ex-Governor will be extremely
acceptable. To re open at the present time the
vexed questions which were formerly debated
with SO much warmth, would be obviously mex
pedient. Most mems minds are fully made up
both on the criminality of the attempt and on
the pleas in extenuation which were urged on
behalf Of the vanquished-the whole affair has
long since passed from the angry arena Of con-
temporaneous politics into the calmer domain
of history But though time has quenched the
fires Of former days, and returning sobriety of
reason has unveiled all the mistakes ofthat ill ad-
vised movement, there are not few deep think
ers among us who presage for the Lopez expe
dition more conspicuous, if not more honor
able. place in the future annals of this CONT
nent than either the verdict of public opinion
here. or the ford account of General Concha
in Spain, have been willing to bestow It's chief
violated the law He trampled on solemn
treaties. He brought disgrace on our national
character. He inflicted grievous injury on a
friendly nation. But all this he expiated most
cruelty. And in view Of the broad grounds of
high philanthropy, on which it is fair to assume
that he acted, in view of the weighty reasons
which demand and will hereafter compel the
dissolution of the present order Of things in
Cuba, to make room for a political status more
suitable to its geographical and natural advan-
tages, and more closely adapted to the obvious
DEGREES of fate-it may be that the future his
torian will sum up the head and front of Lopez
offending in the heinous charge of having been
rashly in advance of his age.
Hence the narrative of Concha may not seem
unaptly coupled with the letter from John S.
Thrasher. which appears in connection with it.
The one is in some sort key to thu other. The
contamination which the politician points out
as necessary. inevitable, the soldier stroye I'M
aided to achieve. He failed; and none wholly
excuse him. But the motives of his daring en-
terprise exist still; every year renders them
more imperative. Year by year, the condition
of the Creates becomes more deplorable month
by month, the danger of suffering the key to
our southern trade to remain in the hands of
foreigners becomes more imminent. Should
awar break OFT in Europe, Great Britain would
be in its midst; and it is far from improbable
that the trade from Liverpool to New Orleans
would be one of those vulnerable points in
which she would be assailed. In such an event.
Cuba would obviously be the most commanding
point in this hemisphere. We're it ours we
could secure ourselves and our commerce from
the injuries contingent upon system of attacks
upon British vessels trading to New Orleans;
as it is, held only by the feeble arm of Spain.
it might at any day pass into the hands Of one
or other Of the beligerents, and we should be the
real sufferers by its capture. If again, fate should
involve US in a position of hostility towards
any of the great European powers, it is per.
fectly obvious that Spanish influence would be
thrown into the scale against us, and tlat Cuba
would play part in the war, whose recollec-
tion the States of the West and South would
long preserve. To be plain it would be in the
power of Great Britain, or any other European
power holding Cuba, to close the Gulf of
Mexico. and destroy at blow the immense and
increasing export trade of the Mississippi Not
a vessel could pass the strait without permis-
sion from the commandant of the island Not
bale of cotton or barrel of breadstuffs could
be exported from New Orleans, if the COM
mandant of Cuba chose to close the mouth of
the gulf This prospect would induce a saga
cious American statesman to submit to insult
and overlook injury, rather than plunge us into
o war on such unequal terms.
The closer the question is viewed, and the
larger the increase of our Southern trade be-
comes, the more imperative appears the neces-
sity for the acquisition Of Cuba. It's anneya-
tion is not alone demanded by those who hun
ger for fresh territory, or by the large mass of
Americans who see with increasing indigna-
ton the misgovernment of the island There
is no hlibusterism in the principles OF the
party whose cardinal doctrine is the substitu-
ton of the American for the Spanish flag on the
Moro. They respect the laws. They value our
national honor abroad. They seek no hurt to
Spain. But they see with unequivocal clear
ness, that the possession of Cuba is absolutely
indispensable to the safety of our com
mercial intere ts-that had Great Britain
been N our place, she would have an
nexed it on some pretext or other long ago
that so long az 1t remains in the hands of Spain
and liable to become English, or Russian, or
French, at any moment the attempts which are
being made to develope the resources and ex-
tend the trade OF the Southwestern States are
just as likely to lead to ruin and fatal disasters
as to solid and abiding prosperity.
When such is the conviction Of men of con-
.s,I.