Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-28
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP,

-NN heio dAuseu at the nervousness winch
cur esteemed neighbors of the Inteifigsncer
are again displaying over what they believe
to be the Administr atoms determination to
get up war with Spain. The Unions late
disclaimer of being intensely excited, "by
authority" over our Spanish relations, was
but temporary god send for their nerves, 1t
seems; a paragraph in a Washington letter,
saying that Commodore McCauley has been
Instructed to resent, on the spot, the act of
firing shot over or around any American ships
engaged in lawful commerce beyond the le.
gal police jurisdiction Of Spain, in the pre-
sence of his ship or any one Of the squadron,
having set our neighbor in q tremor, appa-
rently. The tspth is, he has permitted him
selfto be sadly frightened by the " blowing {"
of our over sealous patriots, who would got up
war for the fun of the thing, ncluiing tho
moe little chances which the extravsgant and,
to certain extent, necessarily unquestioned
expenditures incident to wars afford. Now,
while the InteiIigsneer is taking Trouble on
interest, those who have frightened it are
playing game which is not worth the can.
die. 1t wont pay; because in attempting by
turns to lead, coax and bully the Administra-
ton into managing our Spanish relations to
the end of carrying out the plans of the dis
contented creoles and American operators in
Lopez-expedition stock rather than for the
best interests of cur own country, they are
throwing away their labor.
The President Of the United States and his
constitutional advisers are thoughtful and
prudent, as well as experienced gentlemen.
Their whole course on the Cuba question
shows, that while ready and anxious to obtain
the island by fair and honorable purchase,
they are not the mon to essay to steal it. Nor
would they engage in war with any Power,
except for the protection of American rights,
when it is evident they would not shrink from
any consequences of the discharge Of that
duty. We have seen nothing to induce US to
believe that they conceive that Spain desires
war with us, though it is plain to rs that they
think that the almost unaccountable fear Of
the departure Of another fllibustorinx expe-
dition from our shores which so sflicts the
Spanish authorities Of the island, may induce
them to do some act which will bring on
conflict. We draw this conclusion because
we have rct yet been able cuIself to discover
any questionable act on the part of Spain in
the matter, which seems to have been deliber.
asely designed to trench on our national
rights, for they appear to US rather as i'm
prudent and really unnecessary measures of
self defence resorted to under an unprecs
dented state Of fear and excitement We
think these are common sense views of the
muss, and knowing that common sense guided
all that the Administration has done with
reference to other matters, We see no reason
TO judge that in our Spanish relations they
are guided by less prudent councils
1thas been the policy OF this Government,
certainly since John Quincy Adams time, to
look TO the acquisition Of Cuba, whenever it
passes from the dominion Of Spain under any
other government than that Of an independ-
eat republic, at all hazards and any cost, az
a vital MEASURE of self-protection; AID to sesk
20 purchase it, too, whenever Spain will lot US
have it at a fair valuation. This policy the
IntetItgeaesr deplores, as It deplored the &C.
QUESTION Of Texas, and as it would have de.
plored those of Florida and Louisiana, had It's
editors then arrived at their pTescn. ages and
been in those days affected with the notions of
American public Affairs they row entertain.
We, however, see nothing terrible in this pol
icy; moro especially IS both parties, when in
power, ayow and adhere to it. We have no
reason to imagine that the bugaboos in this
connection which the Iate!igencer is corjur-
ing up, will change the settled policy Of the
government-not the least reason.
Now, If our neighbor will permit Us to ad.
wise him, We think We can Put linn on . plan
which will prove positive insurance against
war with Spain over this question aud its COL
latorals. Thus, let him cease predicting war
AID insisting that our Government shall sub
NIT to any and every thing which the fears OF
COncha may induce him to do to prevent the
landing Of another lllibustering expedition,
and convince that ruler las half dozen ar.
ticiss to that end in his columns will certainly
Will surely prevent future threatening infrao-
lions Of our neutrality laws as against Cuoa
And further, that he sao.ns to DO party, d.
recuy or Indirectly, to any plot c. plan to
wrsst the island from Spain SO long as she
may not use il for our positive injury. AS mat
teTs now stand, Conohs would take the IntsiI.
cancers assurances for these things, the truth
of which he (the InteIligsnesr's eonductor)
must by this time have sufficient proof at hand
if he will only SO quiet ais nerve, as to loyk at
Sasls with the mind Of a reasonable man. We
repeat, tsr perhaps the fourth or fifth time,
tia: the only rss, danger Of war with Spain
lies in the fact that conche and his advisers,
in the agony of fear under which they now
rest may commit some outrage upon us requir-
ing, for the vinaieation Of our rights, prompt
rstalia alton or punishment. The Intslligsnesr
may ea,ily avert that danger, il it will, by
quieting Concha's nerves.
No reasonable man can doubt tn at III q do.