The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-23

which then weighed for something in The counsel. NJ
the world carried their threat into execution We An
know the result and how SPAIN gradually deoayng fy
two centuries and half. has been blotted out nom
among the great powers Within the memory OF men
yet alive she only saved from entire destruction
by the descendants Of those who wdre engaged IN
dealing with the Great Armada These things II
may be said, matters of history. We reply, the
forms and incidents of may alter, bat tho founa
| ton remains the same. The swift iron steam
en- has been substituted for the huge ship OF the line
with forest in her ribs; but the genius of the English
aud OF the Spanish people remains unchanged. II L.
however, unworthy OF England 10 waste argument upon
point OF this kind. The why we have advered
to IL at all is this We find in the Spanish journals which
have recently reached US calculations OF the relative
strength of England and OF Spain. We told by our
Spanish well wshers that the fleets OF England I'M
manned and that cannot hope 10 find sailors for tho
future. We are also informed that England il with
out army il is unreasonable ia expect that our
advice will for the future count for much in the counscs
of the world On the side of Spain all is nourishing all
Is formidable. Armies and fleets OF terrific magnitude
are now ready in the camps and ports of Spain. We
English may live to the tragedy Of Scbastopol re-
newed upon shores The splendid orange ban
ner OF the Spanish monarchy, with the two words
tentatlous blazonly, may yet be suspended in triumph
over the conquered aisenals Of Portsmouth, and the
Archbishop of Granada may yet roast Dr. Cumming and
Mr. spugeon in Smitheld market All this is of course
very terrible We only feel surprise that the city
has not yet taken the ALARM the funds fallen forty
eight and fraction. Sir John Pakington has great
deal to answer for, inasmuch he has not taken one
measure or precauton to protect shores since this
awful intilnation reached London The Spaninrds will
be upon us before We can turn round Unless we can
ontico them up the Thames to kill them off with
the stencil OF our famous river, shall find ourselves
again in the middle Of the sixteenth century, and Spain
will feed fat her ancient grudge against
Anywhere out OF Bcdlam people will not unnaturally
inquire what ID all this abouti The answer is very
simple. Lord Mamesbury has been protesting in terms
forcble, indeed but yet warranted by the disgceful
facts against the in which Spain hus violated her
most solemn obligations to the importation of slaves
into Cuba Upon this Spanish pride has taken fire. Spain
is not proud enough to do wrong, but quite proud
enough to take offence at the imputation OF it, Every
one who has looked into the question Of the sayetrae
ut all knows we'll that for the last twenty years and
Cuba, under the protection OF the Spanish flag has been
the mainstay and prop of the system There has been
direct importation of slaves into the United States during
that time In the Brazis the traffic has virtually ceased
In Cuba alone it is carried out in full vigor There was
but chance OF dealing successfully with the traffic
and that that the local government should interfere
to suppress it, All exerons at could have little
effect beyond running up the rate of the insurance Now
every effort that has been made to procure orders to this
hect-real, not nominal orders-has proved frutess.
The time has arrived when called upon to review
policy in this matter. We will not follow the exam
pie OF the idle baggarts at Madrid and prate about
ionary inyasions. Why even if VIC had the will should
be at the trouble Of applying direct pressure Span
This much Is clear that if Lord Mamcsbury this
day to give Mr. Dallas the fntest hint that England
would stand neutral in the matter Cuba in three months
time would be State of tho North American Union.
Let look this question boldly in the What interest
has England in the integrity of the colonial domnions
Spain? What il it to us If Cuba be tomorrow Amer
lean in place of Spanish possession Our only interest
in the question tor long time past has been moral
not material one Nay, material interests have
been in direct opposition to that line of policy which
have pursued on the grounds of humanity Cuba in the
hands of American citizens would be much pro-
ductive market than at present Our manufacturers
merchants could buy and sell more with American than
with Spanish Cuba. If 1t is to remain slave importing
country we had lief nay, rather that it should pass
mfr Apluri hand Dat
been tired out, and the time has fairly arrived whom we
may consider if should not be playing game
wisely by standing still while the cabinet Of Wash
iDgton carried the longcherished designs of the
American people upon the island of Cuba 1t is not i'm
possible that the States would be willing come an
understanding with u.s. that if Cuba passed quietly into
their possession wishes with regard the further
importation Of slaves into the island would not be dsre-
garlcd.
What Spain to that should interfere further to
protect her colonial possessionsY The only arguments
which disposed to consider after the treatment
have met with from successive cabinets at Madrid,
those which apply to interest and well being
Looking at the question from this point OF view two
guments might be urged but there is probably great
weight in either 1t might be said in the first place. that
would be shortsiged policy in to stimulate the pro-
grcss Of the United States in wealth and power, for the
time may when they may prove formidable antngo
nists to ourselves This but paty policy after ALL
for whatever may do, the vast confederation the
other side Of the Atlantic will so increasing in strength
and in extent of dominion. We do not look grudgingly
this progress the contrary, 1t is the best thing
that DO wished for this country that the States
should be a prosperous and growing power Ii the
statesmen who guide the desnies OF the confederation
have but the torbearance to abstain from violating
public law and the canons of public morality, God
speed their work But to us, in any case what can
signify whether they conquer province from the des
ert from the Gulf of Mexico As long as VIC retain
naval power they will not interfere with us and
that gone, the presence absence Of Cuba in the
scale would signify but little indeed 1t might be said
in the second place. that it would be unwise for us
stand STILL lookers-on while Spain weakened by
Of European policy. The Pyrcndcs not higher than
aparte Here again. the argument does not appear to
have any considerable weight Spain derives no sub
sanal strength from her colonies which would help her
to resist invader and if she did, what is that usi
We know the sacrifices made for the preservation Of
tho Spanish monarchy in the first years Of the present
century and what has been rewards What adyen-
tge to the extent of shilling the intcst element
of power, have derived from the Spanish niancef
We point to long list of unsatsicd claims of
paid debt, Of obligations disregarded and of violated
faith but Of help when needed help, or OF common
gratitude for services OF the most vital imp there
has not been TITLE Let mt length consider this
question its own merits. Is it possible that with
reference to English views and feelings Cuba could in
worse hands than it is at PRESENT.
-
Our railway trains too fast. Look at The re-
cent disasters says the Albany Journal ut train
going hafa-me minute that made the fatal plunge
through the Sauquot bridge 1t train running for
ty miles hour that preciptated down tho Shin
Hollow embankment, killing and manning. The train