Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-05
THE RICHEST THING OF THE
SEASON.

THE RICHEST THING OF THE
SEASON.
We invite the particular attention of our
readers to paper on the "Present position Of
Spain, which we publish in another column.
II bears date the LIST of October, and purports
10 be q semi-oficial declaration of the present
Spanish ministry. 1t was translated for the
New York Express, and attracted our atten-
ton several days ago in the columns of that
journal; but its whole tenor was SO ridiculous
that VIC thought there must be some mistake
about It.
We believed that the Madrid paper must be
spurious, and that the Express had been de-
ceived, or was attempting to play off a hoax
on the public. The National Iatelligencer,
however, republished the paper yesterday,
without any intimation of doubt Of its au-
thenticity; and inasmuch as that journal is
supposed to be well posted on all matters Of
foreign, If not on all matters of domestic con-
Germ, we reprint the translation of the Express;
and venture to make some comments on it.
begging our readers, in the meantime to re-
member that what we say is hypothetical and
based entirely on the supposition that the Ma
Aoaal h.tclligenccr knows whether the paper
from Madrid is authentic.
Knowing, as we do, the Bombastes Furioso
style of the Spaniard, and having seen innu.
merable instances of the insane notions OF
marvellous prowcss which infest the Spanish
nation, we were prepared for almost any exhi-
bition Of braggadocia from that quarter. But
we have always thought that the men who
were called to regulate the affairs of that King
dom were not the slaves Of vulgar ignorance.
We have always believed that they fully appre
ciated the fact that their country was in a state
Of decay, and that its influence was in state
ofdecadence, and that they knew full well that
the Spaniard Of The present day was hardly 6l
TO serve, even in mental capacity, the Span
lard Of the times Of Charles v. 1t not only
amused us, therefore, but it actually startled
MS TO read paper pretending to emanate
from the highest sources in Spain, which made
huge threats, with degree of confidence and
assurance, from which the chivalry of CASTLE
and Aragon would have shrunk in their palmy
days when their lances were considered power
in the world.
For several years past our government has
beeu solicitous in enforcing our neutrality laws
in order TO protect Cuba from private adyen
turers. The recompense we receive is the false
announcement, that we have permitted Lope;
TO use the flag Of the United States in his ex
petitions against that island. As we have said
the announcement is false; and although We
have disccunienanced all Illegal efforts agains
Cuba, we say now, that IL the government o.
the United States declared its purpose 10 STAND
aloof there would not be trace Of Spanish
rule in Cuba, eight months from this day. Tel
thousand Americans could be landed on tina
island in three months-the Creole population
would rise against Spanish rule; and in thre'
months more the work would be accomplished
Cuba would be independent, and before thu
time limited by us, her Independence would b
far beyond any possibility Of overthrow from
Spain. The truth Ia, that Cuba belongs h
Spain this day by virtue Of the neutrality law
Of the United States. For years past she ha
held, and OF the present time she holds, tn
Queen Of the Antilles by virtue Of the honest.
OF the American government That is tb'
basis Of her ability 10 hold the island, and he
ability has no other basis, unless England an'
France would do Cor her what she cannot d
Cor herself.
Bat the Madrid paper undertakes 10 plac
the Government Of the United States In hos
tlo attitude, and 10 attribute 10 ID Illegal GIL
clustering designs. ID then procceds 10 inform
The world at large, and the people Of III
United States in particular, Of the wonderfu
resources and immense capabilities Of III
cfe,e Spanish monarchy. With the uimos
calmness and dcliberation, q states that whe
Spain chooses 10 declare war against NJ, al
can equip and put 10 sea one thousand ship'
and that these one thousand ships vill capiur
each year one hundred millions of dollar
worth Of Americas commcrceg that the ship
containing that commerce VIII be worth t~cr
~ millions Of dollars year, and thai the ne'
ola ihousaad sail win also capture one-hsf {
tho imports which make M shs sixty million
Of American receipts from customs. Nov, y
us sum mp, on Tho supposiiioa that The svsrag
duties on imports into The United States
thirty per cent. The figures are ~ isllo~si
Captures Of American commcrce..s Toe. oea,ee
mporis........-........ lee,eeo,eo
ships..................... 90