Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-07-19
No Cuba-No War with Spain.


The godfathers and godmothers who be-
slowed upon the Hon. Cesar Dodge his rather
antithetical name, must have had some pro-
phetic perception of the mission which he
would be called on to execute; for just as the
imperial appellation Of Caesar is counteracted
by the pusillanimous name of Dodge, SO have
the Understanding and belligerent pretensions
with which the present administration de-
manded Of Spain the concession Of much
valued dependency, correspondent with the alb
ject abandonment Of that purpose, and the
reputation of the ferocious Minister who Of
fered Spain the alternative Of selling Cuba, or
f,rfeiting it because she would not sell it.
We are compelled to believe that the vacil-
lating course of policy pursued by the admin
istration has postponed, perhaps prevented al
together, the acquisition by a fair and friendly
bargain and sale of such territorial or COM
mercial possessions as might be obviously to
the advantage of the United States We would
rather never acquire another foot of land than
resort to open violenco or secret intrigue to
obtain il but we cannot help thinking, that
if Mr.. Pierce had sent some plain American
citizen at first to negotiate quietly with Spain,
taat his chance would have been much better
than to have relied on Monsieur Peter Soule,
with his proclamations and small sword
However, we predict that this political gene
ration will not be troubled about Cuba during
the remainder of Mr.. Piercc's term Minister
Dodge win have an easy time Of it He may
fasten upon some old claims, and practice
diplomacy upon them during the term Of his
natural life, without committing either nation,
and this by simply following the forms of Span
ish negotiation, which are but device for an
unlimited credit upon their national obligations,
pecuniary or political.
Mr. Dodge seems transported with deter
mination TO make his stay in Spain agreeable
and permanent. He tells the Queen that the
President "entertsins sentiments of friendship
and high esteem for her royal person." that
he wishes TO Tighten and consolidate the an
cient and amicable relations between the two
nations" and avows democratic solicitude
for "the happiness and welfare of the royal
person and family"
The Queen GENES back at Mr. Dodge with
corresponding assurances Of amity for peace
and distinguished consideration and Mr..
Cesar Dodge withdraws, delighted 10 study
!" Spanish without master" under such cheer
ful auspices. For we venture the opinion that
nowhere in the instructions Of this Minister is
he directed 10 urge upon Spain the importance
Of ceding Cuba; and we doubt whether, if that
most precious jewel Of the Spanish Crown were
now at the pawnbroker's, under percmptory
order Of sale, Mr.. Cesar Dodge is authorized
TO give the smallest number Of millions for It.
And why2 Because the annexation of more
slave States does not just now seem very pop
ular. The Free-Soilers of the Northwest are
especially down upon II, whilst the Pennsyl.
vania Democracy observe significant silence
about Cuba, and refuse to approve Of the
Nebraska Kansas legislation at ALL II is no
time for General Pierce TO bring more trouble
into the ,wigwam. Tho South must support
him, because he attempted TO secure Cuba by
threats and offers Of money; whilst the Eortl
ought TO sustain him, because he did not sue
coed H
At all events, Minister Dodge is the very
man for the emergency. lie has nothing to
do but to study Spanish, eat ornclettes and ra-
govt, and devote his leisure moments to the
recreations Of the bolero, the fandango, and
the function de los toros. He can stroll in the
Alameda, smoke the most delightful puros,
and thank God thousand times day that he
has escaped the clutches Of those Frce-soil Hoo
siers who are ravening for his political blood
like 70 many "demnition tigers Thrice hap.
py Dodge, to have euded these indignant enc
mics, and TO be- like the good old Daniel in the
Sunday School hymn c1
"ssfe In the prunised land
Our fsIlow-citizens may rely that this Cn-
sar" win mako no war. II is Augustus, not
Julius, nor Germanicus nor Tibeius He is
tho patron Of peace, Of diplomacy, and Of
the arta He win mako no war, for be would
be then recalled His honor and emoluments