The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-14

MIA, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington and Ore
gon will be filled up with hardy, independent
and intellectual populace, and our rivals in that
neighborhood-the English and Russians-will
find that their territory must be confined to its
presen' limits, while ours will be extended on
every ide.
The onfiiet In Europe-Its Relation to Spain
and the Cuba Question.
It IS evident from certain indications, which,
though light in themselves, have no small
weight when taken in conjunction with similar
movements elsewhere, that Spain will not re-
main neutral in the contest now breaking out in
Europe, though it is not SO certain on which
side she will take part.
Thus, at the very time when the great en-
pires are in the London market seeking large
supplies of the best charts of the coasts and har-
hors Of England and her colonial possessions,
we strangely End Spain there on the same mis-
sion. And when the same Powers are seeking
in every way to increase their steam marine,
and particularly the light swift and heavily
armed despatch steamers, we find Spain, without
to put them, ordering the construction Oh the
Thames of o large number of steam gunboats,
under the pretence of requiring them for her
PHILIPPINE possessions.
1t is well known that for long tine the
Spanish government has been under the influence
Of Louis Napoleon, and that the PENN
sula is virtually governed by him, as COM
pletely as is France. In recent pamphlet
attributed, with reason, to the pen of the French
Emperor, it was boosted that he had been the
great stay OF constitutional government at
Madrid. The fact is, that in Spain the Crown
and the people are guided by distinct and
opposing policy. The Queen, Isabella, belongs
body and soul, by descent and by sympathy, to
the Bourbon family, and she clings with tenacity
to the absolute theories Of her ancestors. In
direct opposition to the wishes Of her people, she
fosters the temporal as well as the spiritual
power of the Pope, and admires the tyrannical
rule Of her uncle, the King of Naples. For GEN.
turies too, ever since the time of the Great Cap
tain, Gonzalo de Cordova, Spain has claimed
controlling influence in the affairs of Italy, and
has ever thrown it into the opposing scale to
liberty. In ls4S she sent a contingent force to
Italy to assist in suppressing the republicans.
At the present time Isabella favors, in her own
dominions, the Efforts Of the absolutist party to
restore the fanatical rule Of the Pope in Spain,
the confscated converts to the monks, and the
hearty union of church and State.
On the other hand, the Spanish people de.
spise the Pope as a temporal ruler, hate the
monks and their converts would turn all their
possessions into the Golfers of the State desire
to widen the breach between the Papal See
ard Spain, and not few would gladly
see the Queen herself packed off to her
uncle at Naples, and more liberal government
established by the union of the two Crowns, on
the head Of the young King Of Portugal, or un-
der some more radical form. In this contention |
Of parties it is not improbable that Spain may be
drawn into the present conflict, through some of |
Its changes and combinations; and during its |
progress she will be subjected to many vicissi. |
tudes. There is little doubt at the present time
hat in the matters of the British charts and new
yunboats, her government is acting under in !
'tructions from some other Power Certainly |
she herself has no intention Of invading or ex- |
ploring the British coasts.
1t is for such iuncture as this that we should !
be provided, and for which the Thirty Million |
bill Of last session did provide. By comforting |
apon the President the power to purchase Cuba,
and to pay thirty millions down upon the signing |
Of treaty to that effect, many Of the most inn |
portant points in the question Of the acquisition
Of Cuba were covered. First, the passage of the !
bill would have decided the main question, "Do |
we want Cuba:" which has never yet been de- !
cided. Second, the decision of that question by !
The authoritative voice Of Congress would have !
settled the policy Of this country in regard |
to Cuba, and would have exercised vast |
moral influence in its favor throughout !
Europe. Third, it would have placed the Pre- |
sident In position to act decisively whenever |
the proper juncture should arrive. Fourth, it |
would have given any Spanish Ministry disposed |
to negotiate, the assurance that portion of the
equivalent would be at their disposal Immediately |
On signing the treaty. Fifth. it would remove all
temptation to corrupt efforts and side bargain |
ings, such as always accompany treaty, the con-
clusion and payments Of which are contingent and |
doubtful. Sixth, the payment Of all or any part |
Of the money being contingent upon the signing |
of the treaty Of cession, no portion of it could |
ever have been used by the Executive for corrupt |
o. party purposes Seventh, it would have re-
moved the Cuba question from the circle of party |
and Presidential politics, and made it purely |
national question. Eighth, it would have de-
prived the ibusters their greatest aud strongest
card and one which they are liable to seize upon
and play at any time. Ninth, by combining the
power of agitating and settling the Cuba question
within the dignifed circle of governmental ac-
ton, it would have relieved and soothed Spain,
and conduced greatly to the peaceful settlement
Of all orr pending questions with her and thus