The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-06
The Acquisition OF Cuba-What is Repaired
and How II Should DO Done.


The sound American policy for the American
continent which has been laid down by the ad-
ministration, in General Cass' despatch to
| General Lamar on the pending questions with
Central America, has been received with unqua-
lifted satisfaction throughout the country. It is
believed that the solution of all our difficulties
with the Spanish American republics will be
easily attainable now that policy of action has
been resolved upon and adopted.
There is another question intimately connect
ed with the idea Of an American policy for the
| American continent, which requires ventilation
and common sense solution. The Cuban ques-
ton has been the puzzle Of our statesmen for
forty years; but not one of them has presented a
solution Of it or proposed any plan Of action to
bring about its admission to the Union. Ever
since the time Of John Quincy Adams it has
been the declared wish Of every administration
| whig well as democratic-to achieve the adj
mission of Cuba to the Union as measure
ofpresent interest and future security. But it has
never been put in the shape Of national measure,
| or regularly incorporated in our national po-
| Icy. Mr.. Polk, seeing the great Importance
| of the measure, directed Mr.. SaunderE-at that
| time our Minister in Span-to make formal Of
fer for its purchase, and this step has since been
| repeated on one or two occasions without sue
| cess. The last form in which the question came
| up was that of the Ostend Conference which was
attempted to be used against Mr.. Buchanan's
nomination and election, but which was found to
strengthen him both at the Cincinnati Conven-
| ton and before the people.
! The time has now come when this question
should be put in a practical form and its prose-
| eution pursued in an active way Our moral
| influence has increased vastly in Europe, and
the cabinets Of the leading Powers there are be-
ginning to entertain more correct and just views
| of the advantages which accrue to them by the
extension Of our liberal political and commercial
| system this continent, and to regard with IA
| yor the establishment Of our influence in Mexico,
| Central America and the West India Islands
| In Spain itself more correct and wise view
is being taken of the question than has EVER
before obtained admission there. As her
| own domestic industry developes she
| feels The want Of the young men
who are now drawn of as soldiers or emigrants
| 10 Cuba, and whose labors at home would be
| much more advantageous to the mother country.
! She sees in the growth Of population and wealth
in Cuba the approaching time Of the separation
of the colony from the parent stem, and the still
more important fact that the Captain General of
an island possessing two millions ofinhabitants,
| an annual foreign commerce Of one hundred mil
| lions Of dollars, a revenue Of from fifteen to
twenty millions, and an army and navy equal to
any of the second rate Powers of Europe, is too
powerful to be subject when clothed, as she is,
with absolute power, so far from the immediate
influence Of the crown. In view Of these facts,
the spectators in diplomacy are actively at
work, and half dozen of them are now endea-
voring TO convince the President each that he
alone understands the subject, and is. through
peculiar circumstances. the only person who can
work out the problem
At home the question of the admission Of Cuba
to the Union commcnds itself to every interest
and all sections Of the country. II would open
n large market for the lumber. fish, agrcul-
,ural products. manufactures and shipping
interests Of New England. The Middle States
would find there an immense call FOR their coal
iron and machinery The West would obtain
new field Of consumption for its grains and meats,
which arc now almost entirely excluded from the
Cnban market by the barrier OF an exorbitant
tariff. In the South the acquisition Of Cuba is
looked upon as point Of the greatest impor-
lance in political point of view; aud through
out the whole country the acquisition by the
straicgical points tina, now command our South
ern coast-while we have not first class fortifi-
III
be hailed as step Of the greatest Importance to
our future welfare.
II is time, therefore. that the Cuban question
should b" made one Of our national issues and
| become part 81 our national policy-that ii
should cease TO be thing to he pursued or ne
elected, according to the personal likings or dis
likings Of successive Presidents, and that the
policy Of the acquisition Of Cuba should have
| the weight and Importance il will receive,
| through legislative sanction and the expressed
| appreciation Of the people Mr.. Buchanan should.
| therefore. bring IL forward boldly aud without
hesitation in his coming message. let him ask
Congress to pass an act authorizing The purchase
| of The island. and appropriainr large sum at
| once for meeting any stipulated cash payment
Such an act would give weight 10 the question
both here and in Europe, which II has never
had. and which il absolutely necessary to sue
| cess In any attempt to acquire Cuba by pur-
| chase II would also remove one Of the greatest
obstacles that presents itself on our side to sue
| cessfi negotiation. The doubts as to the ulti-
mate action of Congress hampers the President,
and discouIpgcs any favorable inclination on the
/ part Of the Court 81 Spain
These should be removed and they can only
| be removed Nv Congressional action. The pro-
per way TO obtain this is for The President to
make the subject prominent one in his mes
sage: and should Congress refuse to act upon IL.