The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-23

doing our share in the great scheme Of world
progress. England does hers in India, France
IN Northern Africa Russia in Manchooria, and
we have ours to do in America The American
people have long since seen the mission that is
before them, and have accepted it; and il is now
the duty Of the government to do the same. Not
that We should at once annex Mexico and Cen
trail America TO the Union, and admit the hetero-
geneous population to the full exercise of polit-
cal power; but We can extend over them the bene-
fits of a stable government permitting them to
exercise all the rights of municipal legislation,
rs we do over our own Territories This would
he to them boon which they would gladly accept;
whereas. if We look unconcernedly on while
few selfish European intriguers endeayor to es-
tahlish among them European protectorate
and Spanish despotism, We shall only consent to
their being immersed in more savage civil wars
than they have yet witnessed, and become finally
involved ourselves in general war with the
European alliance.
The President has now before him critical
and an imminent duty. He should call at once
upon Congress to give both voice and direction
to the general policy Of the country. The legis-
laiiye body Of the nation should give formal
authority to the President to purchase Cuba.
II matters little whether Spain has offered to sell
il or not, for it is not question whether or not
Cuba is in the market The true question before
this country is, whether it is necessary for our
own safety that Cuba should become a part of
the Union. We want an authoritative express
sion Of the opinion Of Congress on that point.
Hitherto the acquisition of Cuba he's been part
Of the personal policy Of some Presidents while
others have been opposed to it. He should also
ask for authority to send agents, and forces too,
if necessary, into Mexico and Central America,
to protect national interests and the interests
Of our citizens in those countries The country
is fully ready for these questions and is tired and
disguised with the squeamishness that has too
long marked our national action in defence of
our interests abroad.
Such course as we have recommended on the
part of the President would give character to
our policy both at home and abroad. 1t would
produce greater impression in our favor in
Europe than all the diplomatic maneuvres that
could be made in century. 1t would meet at
the threshold the dangerous complications which
now threaten us from the South. 1t would do
more towards dispensing the war clouds now
gathering there than any other step that could
be taken. Spain is invading Mexico The Con
stitutional President of that republic has called
upon the Mexicans to rise against their old
tyrants, and more home reaching appeal could
not be made to the Mexican heart II breathes
war in every word. And war, too, which we
cannot keep out Of Ii the government will not
act, the people will. Private expeditions to
Mexico, to aid her against Spain, will
spring up on every side. If the government
would prevent llibustering, ii must do the work
that hlibustering aims to do. The extension of
our influence southwark is living part of our
national impulse, and if it is not led and con-
trolled by the national power it will 60 on with
out the national arm. And when the people are
once involved in the war, the government will
become so eventually, just as it did in the war
of Texas against Santa Anna and the centralizing
rulers of Mexico.