Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-02-03

THE UNITED STATES AND SPAIN.

= twill be remembered that in reviewing our!reIa-
lions with foreign powers the President in bis re-
gular message to Congress, at the opening OF the
session. referred to the fact that the Spanish govern
offered to the United States. determination to
demand redress again in very decided terms, was
also expressed If the press of Madrid speaks the
sentiments OF the highest official authorities of Spain,
there is reason to believe that the demand OF our
government will be met with stern denial and
having implicit confidence in the resouteness OF the
Administration as we'll in it's fidelity to its pledges
we shall await with interest the developments yet to
be made in this existing difficulty. A war with
Spain, just now, would not we think, be an unPop-
uar movement on the part of the government of the
United States And We doubt exceedingly that the
Inconvenience arising from it, would be at all ade-
quate to counterbalance the advantages which would
perhaps, prove to be almost Invaluable.
Foreign wars sometimes act as eruptions upon the
body.politc, preventing dangerous disease within
by forcing out the elements that might have produc
ed II. No government is so free from the dan
gers of revolution, as when its people are united
against a foreign foe. Mutiny ship board is never
less likely to than amid the Of the break
the howlings Of the storm. Disaffecsion in an
army need not be apprehended when the troops are
on the march or the enemy in sight. And so it is
with people either dissatisfied with their govern
ment or at enmity amorg themselves. When their
attention is directed to a common cause in which
each and all alike interested, such war with
some other power, all feuds and factions are for
gotten for the time, dscord gives place to harmony,
and division and dissension are followed by unanim-
ty of feeling and unity of action. That the people
Of the United States are widely and dangerously
divided in their political sentiments is fact too
palpable to be questioned-The Union is threatened
with destruction, not by any foreign power, but by
the american people Themselves. The throes of an
impending political earthquake still shaking the
country to it's centre. There is a broad breach be-
fue North nd South Am
magogues have agtated the slavery question until
they have raised storm that threatens to dsmem-
Der the confederacy. Let Us once be engaged in
foreign war and the angry elements Of discord in
the country would be calned. The dupes of the
antisavey agitators would listen longer to their
harrangues over the horrors originated in their own
disorded and depraved imagnations. The North
would cease, suspend at least its insane assaults
upon the South and the South, of course, would,
for the time, have farther quarrel with the North
The presence of a common foe would make all
join hands in fraternal friendship again. We would
not be understood, by any means to allocate a war
with SPAIN We believe it would be highly con-
ducive to temporary restoration of good feeling be-
tween the two antagonstic sections Of our country
But we do not contend that it would surely lead to
perpetual peace between them, and consequently
put an end to all fears for the Union. If were
assured that such would be its fruits, our voice
would be for war; even without any other reason
than to save our own country from ITSELF There is
also another aspect in which the law Of selfpreser
Walton might present itself in this connection. We
allude to the commercial and other relations which
the island of Cuba may have to the United States,
and especially to the Southern States. The day may
not be distant when France or England may enter
into negotiations of some sort with the government
of Spain for the possession or protection of Cuba.
And the attention of this country would of course,
be directed to such attempt the part of either
or both Of those powers, as highly prejudicial to
the interests of this government. But, aside from
this consideration that island is most desirable to
this country and particularly to the slave States.
In the event of with Spain, the terms of peace
might make it ours. For these reasons, we enter
tain the opinion that it would probably be better if
the Spanish government should provoke into
conflict of arms Bnt the Administration, of course
owes it to its dignity and to the honor of the
1uuntry, .rahv With gpai,I u"i1so r1,l' css
for our grievances is refused Richmond Enquirer.