Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-04-28
OUR RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.

with regard ~ the threatened war with Spain.-
The Washington Evening Star nfirms that there is
nobody in the Cabinet who dreams OF going to war
with that country for the sake of acquiring Cuba.
The Times of this morning innoGently doubts the
possibility Of war, and treats ms preposterous the
idea of the government making any explanation
to satisfy the country. In the mean time we see
in other journals letters from Washington, speak
ing of q war with Spain MS inevitable. The Wash
ington Union of yesterday-which moro than any
other print has the reputation of being under the
influence of Mr.. Pierce and his cabinet
publishes, among its editorial speculations, a
long and elaborate article from the Richmond In
qnDer, on the relations of Spain and the United
States, which, after dwelling upon the beneficial
results of the annexation of Louisiana, Texas and
California to our confederacy, upon tho rich re-
sources and fertile lands Of Cuba, and upon the
desire of the white inhabitants of that island to
belong to our Union, closes with the following par
agraph, which, Notwithstanding its verbiage and
bad English, amounts to a declaration that, mas
much as Spain will not sell Cuba, we must take it
by violence.
"Whatever events of n grave nature may trans
pire, between Spain and the United States, grow
ing out of the proximity of Cuba to the latter, its
laboring population-its ~infiction of submission to
the worst government known to civilized men, and
the repeated insults to our flag and injuries to our
commerce our country will have nothing to re-
proach itself with. Its exertions have been con-
stantly and carefully directed to prevent that which
it believed to be an impending calamity. If it
fails in its honest purpose, civilization now, and in
all coming time, will be at no loss to ascertain how
large an amount of its treasure it was willing to
appropriate, to avoid that, which, in its non accep-
lance, seemed to be an inevitable result. Mr.. Blu
chanan instructed Mr.. Saunders to offer $780, 00,-
900 for the Island. We infer from the recently
published correspondence, concerning our relations
with Spain, that Mr.. Soule was instructed to 90
$2j, 100000 beyond this sum if a propitious mo-
ment was presented. The solemn announcement
in the ne,y Corteq, that to sell Cuba to the United
States would be to sell Spanish honor made no
doubt IN obedience to English dic~tation-preclu.
ded him from making the proposition. Our gov
eminent would, therefore, subject itself to down
right insult, were it to attempt q negotiation for
the purchase, and we trust it VIII accordingly as
sumo o determination to act in this future IA CIR
cumstances may require for the national welfare.
In the presence of such mOment0rs probable even
Qualities. we are confident that Know-Nothingism
is doomed, not only in Virginia, but in every State
that is covered by a southern sky, and in eysFy
bosom in which n southern heart pal pitates."
This is n tumid translation Of the toast which
was given the other day at a political dinner in
| Georgia, "Cuba-Sale or Seizure )" but the Rich
mond E~-enuirer considers the sale of Cuba to be
out of the question, aid holds the seizure to be q
matter of eourse-or, in its own phrase. a mo
mentous probable eventuality." And this %rrophe-
cy of an impending quarrel with Spain, and an at
tempt, on orr part, to take forcible possession of
Cuba, is paradcd with implied appreciation il the
official journal at Washington.
The public have a right to be informed whether
the intentions Of the government actually CORES
pond with these Indications. In so momentous a
question re are entitled to know what our agents
are doing. 1t is the interest of the people that is
concerned-it is the prosperity of commerce.. the
stability of business arrangements the higher
interest of national morality and national reputa-
ton that are involved in the course our govern
~ M --
upon what it is doing. the government has no right
to be silent.
Commodore McCauley, it is said, in reply, has
gone out with secret Instructions. What occasion
is there for cretinstructions? If the government
is not ashamed of what it is doing, why should it
hide its proceedings from the country? If Com
modore McCauley goes out on n worthy and hon
orable errand, there is nothing to be lost by pro-
claimingi it. Secrecy is a convenient mask for foul
designs, but in an honest administration of affairs
by the Executive power of a Republic like ours,
there are are few occasions in which there is any
need of it. Jackson scofed at secrecy in his deal
ings with other countries, and startled the formal
genius Of old diplomacy by doing everything open
ly and above board. Such an administration de-
served to be, as it was, beloved by the people even
to enthusiasm.
If the administration is concerned in no proceed.
ing for which it cannot challenge the appreciation
and concurrence of wise and good men, it would
consult its own interest by taking some steps t.
contradict the declarations which are made in its
name. If there is no intention to commit piracy
on a large scale, as so many of its followers pre-
tend, it owes it TO the world and 70 its own reputa
ton to give some authentic expression of its limo
cence. To take the lowest view of the matter the
more material view, there could scarcely be ;
greater benefit to the MINER Of the country
than to remove the apprehensions which are felt o
"a war with Spain. If that load were but taken off
the wheels o. goverment will begin to roll smoothly
again.-N. Y. Eue. Post.
PRoscRIPrioS.-We copy the following from thu
Danville (Ky.) Tribune. Mr.. Fee is a native o
Kentucky.-a man of eminent piety,-who has