Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-17
TaE RAFTsMAN's JOURNAL,
THE H1sroRY OF THE CUBAN PLOT.

THE HISTORY OF THE CUBAN PLOT.
If any country ever had reason to complain
of another, Spain has a long list OF grievances
against the United States. Every reader OF
newspapers, within the last ten years, has
heard of the Ostepd Conference, where severai
American diplomats met together to determine
the fate of Cuba, resolving finally that, whetii- /
er Spain wished it or not, Cuba was 10 be an
nexed to the United States. Every Amerl-
can also knows of The attempts which were
made by armed expeditions from the United
States to revolutioniZe that Island, and add 1t
to the Southern section of the United States.
Every reader, however, does not know the Sc
cret motives which prompted these proceed
ings, what means were taken to keep up
continual feeling of hatred towards Spain, by
all kinds of misrepresentation of her acts, for
the purpose of driving the United States into
war with that country; the object,of that war
being to seize upon Cuba, and then using Gu
ba as the means of dissolying the American
Union. few persons had the sagacity to see
this scheme, and steadily combatted it by
keeping the public mind informed of facts as
they really existed, so that the politicians
were never able to succeed in their designs.
Such feeling. however, was produced a
gainst Spain, that We have not yet entirely re-
covered from the effects of it, and we find
some of our newspapers ready to jump at once
| to the conclusion that, in her repoted attempts
on San Domingo, she is influenced by hostili-
| ty to the United States, and that heI designs
are inimical to the interests OF this Union.
There are two interpretations which can be
given to the act, and We had better wait and
see what is the real motive of her conduct,
before we assume an attitude of hostility TO
her designs. We know how diligently, few
years ago, the whole American mind was pref
udiced againsttha Government, how every act
was interpreted into an intended insult to this
country, and how necessary measures of self
defence for her West India possessions were
magnified into hostile intentions, and how the
vindication of her own territorial rights was
denounced as assaults upon the honor of our
flag and the freedom of seas. The Black
Warrior affair was represented as a great out
rage upon the honor OF our country, and it
was purposely kept from being settled, in
der to keep up the irritation against that
country. -s
1t is not generally known, however, that at
this very time Spain was making all the con-
cessions she could in honor, to conciIiate the
United States government and was even dis
posed to largely extend our commercial priv-
leges with Cuba, for the purpose of Identify
ing the two countries in interest and keeping
them at peace. This, however, was contrary
to the purposes of the Southern politicians,
now the leading secessionists, and they re-.
jected all these commercial advantages for the
sake OF the political objects they had in view,
making the trade and commerce of our coun-
Try SuDSerflent 10 their Interior purposes,
which contemplated secession and the estab-
lishment of Southern Confederacy, embrac-
ing the seeding States, the West India Islands,
Mexico and Central America. They disre-
garded these manifestations OF friendly spirit
and misrepresented 10 their own government
the intentions of Spain. Yet with all these
derelictions on the part Of our Minister, no
sooner had Mr.. Soule left Spain than Mr.. Per
ry. the Charge, settled in less than month
the Black Warrior affair. He even obtained
an offer from Spain to settle all private claims
arising between the two nations by disinter-
ested mixed commissions; furthermore that
government consented to the draft of a treaty
which opened the ports of Cuba and of other
parts OF the Spanish dominions to the products
OF the United States with unexampled privi-
leges; and went SO far as to promise our grains
and -four an admission into the Havana almost
tree of duties. These advantages of Spain
were rejected by the United States govern
ment, and Mr.. Perry suddenly found himself
dismissed 10y his government for bis officious
attempt to benefit his country. This view of
the case will tend very materially to modify
the popular opinion in this country as to the
intentions OF Spain being hostile to the Amer
lean Union, and be the means, probably, of
preventing any false steps at this time against
that country arising from the alleged seizure
of San Domingo. -