The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-10

diplomatic conference AZ Ostend-coVcrS s0me
en or fifteen sheets of paper, and states as
ully as such narrow limits admit the actual po-
sition Of affairs in Spain, as well as the policy
which, in the opinion Of the members Of the
conference, should be adopted by the United
States. It is there suggested that our govern
ment should authorize representation to be
made of the fact that the whole colonial policy
of Spain in the Island of Cuba seems to have
been based upon determination to leave no
means untried to disturb our commerce, insult
our citizens, and influence and irritate the
public mind ofthe United States; that the peo-
pie of Cuba, fleeing from oppression, find a
refuge on our shores, and their wrongs re-
sypnsive echo in our hearts that Spain, labor
ing under pecuniary and social distress
by England for the repayment of
moneys due, and threatened by England power,
must, no matter what her hesitation, be merely
an instrument in the hands Of her powerful
ally to carry out system Of annoyance to the
United States, and to do all in her power to
check and harass our commerce. Not satisfied
with the establishment of tariff which ex-
cludes us from participation in the benefits
of the markets of Cuba, she seeks, by system
of apprenticeship, to affect also our social and
political institutions. Can any one for o mo-
ment suppose that Canada would now be a de-
tendency of the British crown, if a liberal go
vernment and free institutions had not prevailed
there; if, instead of encouraging trade and in
tercourse with US, directly the contrary policy
had been pursued; and if our citizens, when
visiting the provinces, were treated with indig-
nifty, imprisoned and driven out? Yet such,
the despatch urges, is the condition of Cuba,
and its position towards the United States.
Arriving at these conclusions, it becomes
evident that Spain cannot hope much longer
to retain possession of Cuba. This presents
another view of the question; and that is, that
in any change the interests Of the United States
imperatively demand that the transfer of the
sovereignty Of the island must not inure to the
advantage Of any European power. Spain can
make but one transfer, and that must be to US.
Having thus fully gone over the ground, it
is suggested by the ministers that our govern.
ment should authorize the renewal of the offer
to purchase Cuba, as indemnity for the past
and security for the future" Under Mr..
Folks administration large sum was offered.
The despatch urges that the sum now to be
offered should be muniGcent If Spain refused
to listen to terms SO reasonable to case so
plausible; If she continued to turn deaf ear
to our demand for damages, and an apology
for outrages already committed, then she
should understand that upon the first repetition
of these outrages the United States would en-
force satisfaction, and the last vestige of Span
ish power would be swept from the Western
World
Such is the substance of the celebrated des-
patch, signed by the ministers to England,
France and Spain, and which Mr.. Marcy SO
pertinaciously detarines shall not see the
light. We believe W are correct in asserting
that neither Of the gentlemen who signed it
shrink from the responsibility of its authorship;
but Mr.. Marcy, acting upon his convictions of
the danger of introducing the Cuba question as
an additional element Of excitement to the
Nebraska bill, will not let it be made officially
public, and as long as he remains in the State
Department he will continue to rule. He has
fought his battle with the President, and he
feels that he exercises the powers of dictator.
Instead Of a favorable response to the cou-
clusions arrived at by the ambassadorial con-
ference" Mr.. McCrae took back despatch
which might have emanated from the polar re-
gions, so icy cold was it. Mr.. Soule was in
formed that the policy Of the government was
wholly opposed to any attempt to prosecute
negotiations with view to the acquisition
of Cuba, and he was directed to repair to Ma
drid forthwith, and resume his diplomatic func-
tions with the most lamblike demeauor Mr..
Soule has declared that he will not submit to
such degrading position, after having com
mitted himself as he has already done, and that
he will return to the United States and expose
the perfdy Of the State Department.
One thing is certain, General Pierce has
abandoned all idea Of obtaining Cuba, for the
present at least, either by purchase or con-
quest. The hopes Of the Cubans, which were
raised in anticipation Of moral aid from the
government Of the United States, are blasted.
And even those who chung to the President as
man of nerve in our foreign relations-and
were willing to consider his failures at home
were more the result of accidents than fault
now bitterly complain Of his weakness and his
abandonment of the policy which they we're led
to believe would, under all circumstances, be
adhered to.
There is reason to believe tina. firm course
on the part Of the government of the United
States would have SO expedited matters in the
island, that ere this Spain would gladly have
accepted even more moderate compensation
for the loss Of her tottering power than would
willingly have been given by this country.
But the moment has passed blythe weakness
Of the President, palsying all it touches, and
the strength Of Marcy, have laid hands upon
the Pickering torch of liberty in Cuba, and
English policy and European dinlomaex ara