The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-06-27

wise them to test the legality of this seizure
along with that of all the othera
FEsnch and Spanish ASgressions-Re-
union for the Sake of Llbsratton.
The policy of Spain has always besn that Of
territorial conquest and extension, and ths
policy has been shelved of late years simply
because Spain has not been in position to
carry it out Now, with returning strength
and power, her cid policy is again revived and
resumed, and, with Cuba as starting point,
she hopes to be able to secure all of the West
India islands, and has begun her expressions at
st. Domingo.
I'm this attempt 10 carry out schemes hstcAel
years ago, and defeated again and again ~
the force Of circumstances, Spain has certainly
the assistance of that powerful ally, good
opportunity If we were now . united
A51 peaceful people, Spain would
not have dared to inaugurats this
policy towards these islands by the
seizure of St Domingo, and much less could
she have hoped to have carried it out success
fully and with impunity. In ordinary times
our people would have been the FIRST to stand
between Spain and the West India islands, and
before che could have secured them, she must
have defeated us. Now, however, we are dis
tracted by civil war. Our armies, North and
South, stand face to face, and are ready for a
deadly fraternal conflict Our navy is on
ployed in blockading our own ports. We have
neither time nor inclination to interfere with
matters outside of our own boundaries, aud
we are fully occupied in protecting ourselves
and attending to our own family quarreis.
Our weakness, then. as far as outside matters
are concerned, is SPANS strength; our extremi-
ty is her opportunity.
Nor Is there any room for doubt that this
opportunity will be amply improved by her
ST. Domingo shows this, and the seizure of
that island is but an exponent of the policy -
be pursued towards oil the islands Of the
West Indies. This is, indeed, great under
taking for Spain; but by our domestic troubles
one great impeachment is removed, and by the
cooperation Of France and her assent to this
policy, it is hoped that all other obstacles will
be easily overcome. From our recent advicas
of the intrigues between France and Spain,
here can be bat little doubt that programme
has been arranged by which Spain is to be- st
liberty to seize the islands of the Gulf, while
France is to be free to pursue her schemes to-
wards Mexico itself. Here, again, the Eare-
pean Powers make capital of our troubles, for
the United States would be an effectual check
upon the designs Of Napoleon towards Mexico,
not less than upon those of Spain towards the
West India islands. The disunited States,
however, are so weak that neither France nor
Spain care to regard their wishes or opinions,
and do not fear their arms. If our present
contest continues long, We shall be obliged to
witness, while we are pOwerless to prevent,
the aggrandizement of the West India islands
by Spain, and the protectorate OF France OK
tended over Mexico.
What is at once our duty and our policy,
then, in the present crisis Of affairs? It is to
settle our difficulties between the North and
the South as speedily as possible, and to march
the united armies Of the two sections to the
liberation Of Cuba, st. Domingo, Porto Rico
and the other West India islands, and TO the
liberation, also, of Mexico. This is the only
course to pursue if we would clear the south
ern part Of this continent of the last vestiges
of monarchical rule and rescue ourselves fer
ever from the designing schemes Of European
governments Not until this is done can we
have any permanent peace or security on tbr
continent, whether this country remains up'er
one or two republican governments. Re-Aion
for the purpose of the liberation Of Me-co ana
Cuba, should be the watchword of ~ sta'es
men and of our people.
Tan so,.ess IN Couses,- 4he convsniisa
Of Democraic Editors, y-ca mees q the
Assor Heuse to-day, Ainds one, u the pre-
promoters Of that Celebrated conventia in
Tooiey street. in mich trismvirate & taaers
undertook to peak the sentiments of =
whole Hr;t;s, people. According to theL
notion n ;1.ne scissors and not the sword that
sbonld = employed to cut the knot Of every
polital difficulty.
We do not anticipate that any very re-
rarkable results will flow from the dsibera-
tons of our rural contemporaries. They are
great with the paste pot and shears, but they
do not shine particularly in council. Accus-
toned to steal other peoples ideas, it cannot
be expected that they should throw much light
on the solution of our present. embarrassmsnts.
If the Union is to be saved, it certainly will
= =