The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-19

mate effect of such meeting, there can be no
doubt that its immediate results would infnse a
healthy sentiment into the politics of the day.
The Cuba Question In Congrcss-The Policy
OF Union Among the Democracy.
We are not surprised to learn that the pro-
tiations for the purchase of Cuba is creating
profound sensation among all parties at Wash
ington; but, considering the manifest policy of
the democratic majority in both houses of Con-
gress upon this question, it is somewhat remark
able that such prominent leaders of the party as
the two Virginia Senators Mason and Hunter
should be found among the first to break ground
in opposition to the scheme.
Mr.. Mason, as Chairman of the Senate Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, is doubtless tho
roughly posted upon the whole subject of Cuba
in all it's bearings and complications, from the
executive branch of the government and is thus,
we dare say, possessed of the requisite informa-
ton to Justify cordial support of this bill as
diplomatic experiment. What, then, can be his
overriding objections We presume that they
are those of his colleague, Mr.. Hunter, Chair
man of the Senate Committee on Finance, and
are objections resting upon the embarrass-
ments of the treasury. These Virginia strict
constructionists have an abiding horror of high
protective tariffs and heavy federal taxations of
all Sorts and they discover, perhaps, in this bill
of thirty millions the nest egg Of protective du-
ties for the benefit of Northern manufacturers,
oppressive to the Southern consumers, or q
scheme of universal direct taxation which will
draw too severely upon the pockets of Southern
planters.
We would admonish Messrs. Mason and Hun
ter however, that the expensive legacies in
herited by Mr.. Buchanan from his last two pre-
decessors in the White House, and the damaging
effects of the general financial revulsion of
1857 upon the federal treasury and the country
have resulted in state of things which must be
met and provided for, now or hereafter, in a
comprehensive reconstruction of our financial
and commercial affairs, federal and local. and
embracing tariffs, banks, bankruptcies, corpora
lions and individuals, in the action of Congress.
From this general work of reconstruction there
is no escape, and it will make very little
difference in this view, considering the import
ance of the Cuba question, whether the loans and
Treasury notes of the present session are limited
to twenty or extended to fifty millions of
dollars. In other words, as the addition of this
sum of thirty millions for Cuba to an inevitable
public debt of hundred millions will only
be made in the event OF successful negotiations
for Cuba, there will be very little hazarded in
passing this thirty million bill.
But the paramount consideration with the
leaders of the democratic faith, in reference to
this proposed bill, should be its commanding adj
vantages as q stroke of democratic policy
looking to the Presidential succession. In
this view Mr.. Douglas has exhibited the
proper conception of the question, and has shown
that he understands upon this point, at least, the
temper and prevailing sentiment of the American
people. They desire the annexation of Cuba,
and they stand ready to second any practical
movement on the part Of the government for the
acquisition Of this fine and inviting island. The
people Of the North, from commercial conside-
rations, are as anxious to secure the island as
are the people of the South from the additional
political strength which they will secure Let
this thirty million bill be passed, or let it be made
plank in the democratic platform, and we shall
soon see fusion of all the scattered factions and
fragments of the party, as compact and harmo-
NOUS as the reunion which was effected upon the
Texas annexation movement.
The general effect will be equally great to the
detriment of the opposition. Their present plans
and combinations will be Destroyed their exist
ing odds and ends of the negro agitation will be
taken away, and their hue and cry against the
expenditures and debts of Mr.. Buchanan's demo-
cratic administration will be overshadowed in
the prevailing popular enthusiasm for Cuba. In
this connection, while Mr.. Douglas has displayed
something more than his usual sagacity, Mr..
Senator Hunter has overdone his usual policy
of safety, economy and caution. it was the
same sort of timidity and prudence on the part
of Martin Van Buren, in reference TO Texas that
caused his rejection by the Democratic Balti-
more Convention of 1874. He was afraid of the
consequences of annexation and he was cast
aside to make room for man pledged to keep
step with the progressive spirit of the masses of
the people.
So, we apprehend, it viii be at Charleston.
The timid and hating leaders Of the party upon
the Cuba question will have to +" take back
seat in the new car" while some one of the
boldest will be chosen the conductor of the train
Mr.. Buchanan, in his last annual message, has
laid down the foreign programme upon which
the democracy may combine and press forward
to certain and decisive victory in 1860, and
Cuba is the leading feature Of this programme.
If, upon this leading issue, the democracy in
Congress shall fail to act from want of harmony
among their leaders, we may safely conclude that