The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-03
The Spanish Mission-Is There Project TO
Obtain Cubn on Foot

The Spanish MissiOn-Is There n Project to
Obtain Cuba on Foot.
We learn from Washington that Mr.. Blu
chanan has rendered the mission to Spain to the
Hon. ]. p. Benjamin, Senator for Louisiana.
There is something significant in the scrupu-
lous desire on the part Of the President to fill
the mission to Spain with man competent IN
der every view to make that post something
more than the dead representative of our in
terests which 1t has been for some years past
Mr.. Benjamin is person every way calculated
TO fill the appointment with interest to the
country and honor to himself. He has attained
high position at the bar, has acquitted himself
with dignity and credit in the Senate, is a
course, and is thoroughly and practically versed
in the Spanish language and law. Besides this,
he is q practical man in every sense Of the
word. If there Is work to do at Madrid Mr..
Benjamin would be the man to do it, and under
no other circumstances do we suppose that he
would accept the appointment.
AS Senator for Louisiana, his term of service
will expire In 1859, and the election OF his sue.
cessor viii take place by the Legislature of that
State in January next He is the most promi-
nent candidate named, thus far, for that elec-
ton, the principal objection urged against his
reelection being the fact that both he and Mr.
Slidell, his colleague, are residents of New Or
leans, and the other sections o. the State claim
one Of the senatorships for their favorites. His
acceptance Of the appointment would preclude
the giving Of another foreign mission 10 Mr.
Slidell, who has been frequently publicly spoken
Of for Paris, as II Is hardly to be supposed that
the President would give two such important
missions to the same State. This arrangement
would leave Mr.. slidell at liberty to look to
the Presidency in 1850. Such a combination
would arrange the Senatorial question In Loui-
siana In such way as to suit the views of all
the candidates there; but then comes the doubt
whether Mr.. Benjamin will accept bis part In t.
Besides the political difficulties In the way of
its accomplishment, there are others OF private
character. Mr.. Benjamin has law practice,
principally before the Supreme Court at Wash
irgtoD. which Is supposed to yield him an in
come Of some thirty or forty thousand dollars
year. il he consents to go to Spain be must
give up this for the ministerial salary OF
$4,000 per annum. Such q pecuniary sacrifice
MFR. Benjamin is not supposed to be able to az.
ford. IT. however, he could make bargain
with Queen Isabel for the purchase Of the
island Of Cuba, be would have the inside track
for future position in that island, and be might
look to that for his reward. This, however.
would only be exchanging certainty for con-
nj cva hay wol IN Nr
min viii do that.
In rendering him the appointment Mr.. Blu.
chanan has made good selection, and we hope
he will be able to induce Mr.. Benjamin to &C
cept it, Should he do so, we shall believe that
some project Is actively on foot for the final
settlement Of the Cuban question. That island
is fact outgrowing the leading strings In which
Spain holds her, and IL she cannot sever them
In any other way she viii do Il by vio-
lence. Cuba has derived the impulse
Of her material Development from this
country. IL Is the constant intercourse of her
people with ours that has stimulated her 10 tho
construction Of railroads, the introduction Of
steam engines and machinery for her productive
labors and the development Of the mechanic
arts To as she looks for q market for her gu
gars and segars, and TO supply her with grains
meats and lumber. These industrial ties have
generated political sympsthies between the two
peoples, which are working out their results
We should be sorry 10 see her reduced to the
anarchical condition Of most Of the other Span
ish American countries and she would be glad
TO have extended over her the guarantee of the
American Union to her social permanence and
industrial prosperity. Spain will be brought to
see these things, and practical Minister like
Mr.. Benjamin could do much OF Madrid 10 assist