The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-10

Of the kind. Between the United States and
Spain there 10 now pending one Of the most
important political problems ever laid before
statesmen. That problem is the future do
minion Of Cuba. On the one side, we require
1t, deeming, from political, commercial, aud
economical reasons, that its acquisition has be-
come political necessity for u.s. On the
other, Spain retains it, at some considerable
cost of men, money and peace of mind, because
her pride forbids her to relinquish the last gem
in her American diadem. Matters have for
some time been Fastening the solution of this
problem Every outrage committed by the
Cubans on cur flag has been spur to our exer-
tons for the acquisition of the island. Lawless
expeditions on the one side and sanguinary and
equally lawless retribution on the other have
embittered the feeling of hostility existing be-
tween the Spaniards and ourselves. Rumors-
so well founded as to command universal reli-
ance-of British interference on The side of
Spain have given heart to the Spaaiards aud
reused our pride and jealousy. All these
various elements have been seething for some
time A short while ago, matters reached
such point that if Mr.. Soule had demanded
his passports and returned home calling upon
the administration to declare war; the cuun-
try would have sustained him, and would
have exercised considerable pressure on
the weak Cabinet by which we are
governed. Mr.. Soule had not the nerve to do
any thing of the kind; the administration were
suffered to repose in congenial inactivity; and
before q month elapsed, the state of matters
was entirely changed. England has new taken
the field, not on the side Of Spain but as the
advocate of our pretensions, The people of
Madrid themselves are beginning to discuss
the question of selling Cuba to the United
States These changes give an entirely new
aspect to the problem, and indicate that the
real object of the commission to Madrid ought
to be to ascertain whether the acquisition of
Cuba can be made at once.
There are great many reasons why it should.
The condition Of the Spanish finances is such
that no ministry can take Office with any prs
pcct of maintaining itself, until some new re-
sources are discovered. We could afford to
supply these new resources in exchange for
Cuba. Spanish pride stands in the way of
course: but if Spanish pride gave way to
British counsels SO readily in the Black War
rior case, why surely it may be brought to do
the same before cool logic from this side Of
the water. 1t is very certain that SO long as
Cuba belongs 10 Spain, it will cost her O small
fortune every year to pay damages for the
outrages committed by her officials there, and to
keep up the defensive force required on the
island expenses which Spain certainly can very
i'll afford Nor is it quite fair that we should
be put to the anxiety aud expense the.ruinors
of Cuban filbusterism have recently cost US, if
the cause for these movements could BE- re-
moved without injury to Spain. We are always
ready to enforce our laws but, il it can be
managed, we would rather spare our citizens
any unnecessary temptation to break them.
This temptation we can only remove in this
case by acquiring Cuba: and we believe the
public sentiment is now Us strongly ia favor Of
tie purchase Of the island as it was in favor OF
the purchase Of Louisiana. Some fears of Elg-
fish opposition are entertained. We have none.
British inteIcsts--as indeed those Of every &C
tive commercial and manufacturing district in
Europe and America--will be decidedly bene-
lifted by the transformation of badly governed,
iaIfridden, proiitless island into rich, pros
porous, and powerful State. England should
lie the iirst to plead our cause at the Spanish
bar Her manufacturers viii make enough by
the annexation of Cuba to enable them to buy
up all the bonds we should issue for the pur-
pose. If Mcssrs. Cobb and Dallas bear these
points in mind and make it their business TO
advance this negotiation. their Journey will not
be regretted by the people As to a war. with
such an imbccik administration as ours, that is
impossible.