The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-13
The Cuban Question In Spain and In the United
gtnfea.

the noteworthy fact that the Spanish people |
have pride and vigor enough left TO refuse posi-
lively to part with Cuba on any terms. The
resolution offered by M. Olazagar-the former
tutor AID chief adviser of the Queen-and
unanimously adopted by the Cortes settles the
question unless some startling change should
come over the spirit Of the nation, all hope of
peaceably acquiring the Queen of the Antilles
must he abandoned. Had this resolution been
passed two years ago. or even during the first
year Of President Pierce's administration, il
might have assumed the proportions of his
toricsl event, and given rise to well founded
alarm in Europe and in this country. Public
feeling ran so high in the United 5 ates at chat
time, under the splendid promises Of the inau-
gural, that proposition to force Spain to sell
Cuba whether she would or no would have been
received with favor by large section of the
community, and would have been sure of the
active support OF at least one wing OF the Cabi.
let. All this however has been pretty
thoroughly changed since then. Disguised by
his failures, and the contempt his tlibustero
allies brought upon him, Mr. Pierce ceased long
since to combat the conservative counsels Of
Marcy. Mr.. Soule received no encouragement
from home to continue his tactics OF provoca-
ton, and the government OF the United States
became as meek and as forbearing as it Dad
seemed to be fractions and aggressive Mr..
Pierces last attempt to keep up his reputation as
. staggering buly--the Gre, town outrage
having met with prompt Reproduction on every
side, the President relapsed into The character
Tor which nature originally designed him-a
helpless imbecile. He will take no notice of
the gauntlet thrown down by che Spanish
Cortes, not he: if Olazaga had proposed to
medole with Florida as well as retain Cuba,
Mr.. Pierce is too thoroughly cowed to resent it.
A like mind, though produced by different
causes, pervades the people of this country at
the present time. Know Nothingism has put an
end 10 that gluttonOus craving for territory
which existed a short while since. The conser-
vative revoiution-for 80 it may be called
which Is sweeping over the country ID fatal to
schemes Of territorial aggrandlzement for two
great reasons. In the first place reckless pro-
jects for the acquisition of foreign territory
have always been favorite cards with the old
parties, especially the democracy, which, on
more than one occasion has contrved to bliud
the public to the corruptlons of the democratic
leaders by holding up before their eyes the
prospect of q new slice Of territory These
projects have generally been stained with fraud
in some shape or other-often with iawlessness
and violence and have done much to dis
credit the United States in the eyes of
foreign nations, while the material good
they have conferred has been Of the most inde6-
mite and questionable character. 1t is the bust
| ness OF the Know-Nothings to put an end
to this sort Of work. 1t is their intention to
revert to the original principles OF the coafede-
racy, to deal fairly and uprightly with all ma
ton and not even to incur the suspioioa Of
wrong doing fer the doubtful benefit of exseu-
| sions OF territory.
In the second place, in the present condition
of this republic, NO acquisition OF territory Can
be made without rs-opening the slavery agisa-
tion. If Cuba, or the Sandwich Islands, or
Canada. or new slice of Mexico we're annexed,
the slavery war would break out with fresh
violence, and the Union would anew be COZ
vulstd. Nothing is more explicitly laid
down in the Know Nothing creed than posi-
tive determination to quench this sectional
strife on the subject of slavery. Hence it il
further acquisitions of territory are expedient.
In this respect, they conform to the policy Of
the early statesmen Of the republic, who sacri-
| feed every consid ration to the peace and har-
moDy Of the Union. From the confederacy Of
the several States TO the year 1920, new States
and Territories were added at various times,
and no objection was made because abolitionism
was unknown as weapon Of political warfare,
and the expansion Of the corporate body did not
involve hostility between its original members.
But from the year 1920 to the present time
every foot of territory which has been acquired
bss cost us ten times more in loss Of brother
hood and homogeDeity than 1t can ever repay.
The ttriie has only just been Gained which
grew out of the annexation of Texas, New
Mexico aid California; were Canada, with
the consent Of the British government, or Cuba.
| backed by SPAIN to solicit admission to the
| Union, the struggle would be renewed with
more fatal vrnlencc than ever Hence it is
that the soberminded men who conduct the
Know Nothing revolution have resolved to
| forego all the probematical advantages to re-
tult from fresh acquisitions Of territory
and by circumscribing the Union within its
present limits, to deprive disunionists Of pre-
texts for agitation. The resolve is . wise one
in many respects. The territory of the Unit
ed States is already far larger than their pop
nlation can develope or employ. Centuries
may elapse before the whole will be brought
under cultivation or taught to aid in sustain
ing man. BY remaining content with what
We have, we run no risks: by seeking to ex
tend the area Of our dominion, we hazard
the homogeneity of our people. and impair
the strength Of the bond Of union which unites