The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-07-14
SPAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
TFRoM THE N. O. PfcAYuNE.1

The rumors from Cuba are not matters {
be laughed Off When we are told that tn
Spaniards talk freely of an easy destruction
of the Southern ports of the Union, in th
case of hostilities between the two Govern
ments, and discuss the practicability Of al
attack on Mobile and New Orleans, snee
at Spanish valor is not the right sort of com
ment. 1t is not question of comparable
valor between the races; and If it were, it j
not wise to assume an absolute inferiority 70
the genuine Spaniard, drawn from our expe
rience of the feebeness Of the Mexican race
ofSpanish origin. We have enough of th'
national self-esteem to believe TINT there cal
be no doubt of the issue, sooner or later, Off
conflict between our countrymen and the bes
blood of CASTLE, if the defence of Cubacoult
be devolved upon such champions. Bnt itl'
not wise to underate any adversary, and de
spise his threats, so far as to omit the neccs
sary means of self.protectiou. SPAN is GER
tainly gathering great armaments in and
about the island of Cuba. The squadron she
will soon have in these waters, will outnum.
ber in guns and men the force which in the
present condition of our navy could be con-
centrated in the Gulf, and the number OF
troops will reach to large army. This gath.
ering of large force on our immediate bor-
ders, while our relations with that country
are growing daily more and more critical, and
the possibility of war grows into probability,
should have the effect Of rousing the attention
of our public authorities to the importance of
preparatory steps for putting the exposed
parts of our coast in state of defence, and
in so disposing of our navy that in the event
Of war, the enemy might not, by his superb
or preparations, have it in his power to make
sudden inroads, and do great and waton dam.
age. A serious invasion, or continued
blockade, or systematic attack, is not to be
apprehended. But descents upon our coast
might be easily made by such naval force
as Spain will have ready in the fine harbor of
Cuba, almost in sight of our shores, and it
may not be an idle or vaporing boast, that
they may, on the first news of hostilities, dash
into some of our most accessible ports, and
do infinite damage before proper means of
defence are rallied. The rumor that they are
thus Wanting among themselves exposes their
calculations, and points out very clearly to
our own authorities what they should do in
the contemplation of the possibility of such
forays, and the prepared state of the forces
by which they can be undertaken.
Such contingencies, of course, cannot have
escaped the consideration of our governa,unr,
whether or not, in their opinion, the contro-
versy with Spain is likely to end in war
They will of course have looked into the
state of our Notifications and provided them
armaments and men, in order to prevent the
entrance of hostile fleets into our harbors;
and, as a sign that the want of a navy in this
quarter is engaging attention, we notice the
proposals for the recall of the African squad
ron, that it may be disposed Of nearer home.
A strong gulf squadron is needed, and the
coast defences are equally indispensable, if
only to enable us to negotiate with absolute
independence. To neglect these precautions,
in the face of the threatening manifestations
on the side of Spain, would be an abandon
ment of duty of which We can suppose no
administration capable. Whether there is to
be peace or war between us-and Spain de-
pends upon various contingencies-but wheth-
er peace or war is TO follow, we are bound to
get ready for defence whenever, in the midst
of negotiations, she prepares means of offence
that could be poured out against MS with
damaging effect, if her humor or her interest
decide her to take up arms; and the accidental
superiority, with the hopes Of striking a
sudden and heavy blow, might influence
the decision. We should be ready to frus
trate all such calculations, and the knowledge
of such readiness might be very effective in
tanning the desire of hostiities, and in facii
tating arrangements which would prevent
them altogether.
Vrpy Eopcrrrur "A man with n reru