The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-28


but of the Union, the Treasury and the people,
white and black, North and South.
Secretary Stewards Trip to tho West
Indies Explained.
The mystery which for a long time sur
rounded the journey Of Secretary Seward to
the tropics has at length been removed. One
Of our Washington correspondents, in letter
published elsewhere, furnishes some very in
teresting facts, which explain the object of that
journey more fully than anything which has
yet been given to the public. We were at first
informed that the veteran Secretary had be-
come wearied writing volumes of essays to
foreign diplomats and had taken this journey
by way Of relaxation, to invigorate both mind
and body, and get himself in the proper trim to
prepare several more volumes Of his essays.
This idea was circulated until 1t became
little threadbare, when another version was
put in circulation, and we were informed that
he had left his post to get rid of being bored
by members Of Congress on tho Mexican ques-
ton, or to gain time to carry out bis schemes
with regard to Napoleon. He finally returned,
and the recognition Of the republic Of Do
mnioa was at once proclaimed, and every
body supposed that they had discovered
tia secret Of bis mission. The establishing
Of friendly relations with that republic,
and thus making that government our ally,
was an important step, and one that will be Of
inestimable advantage 10 us in case of q war
with any of the European Powers which have
colonies in the West India islands.
While this may have been in part the object
Of Secretary Stewards journey, 1t seems by our
Washington advices that 1t was only portion,
and by far the most insignificant portion of his
mission. 1t came In, no doubt, incidentally, but
1t appears that the real object was to secure
naval station among those islands where our
vessels Of war can rendezvous, obtain their
supplies, and prepare for any emergency in
the event of complications with foreign Powers
The temper Of the present Congress is such
that there Is no probability oftheir making any
appropriations to repair or construct forti1-
cations along our Southern coast. Should the
enforcement Of the time-honored Monroe doc
trine--which the people all demand shall be
adhered to, and the administration as well as
Congress Is instructed TO maintain-lcad us TO
war with the monarchical governments which
are interfering with affairs on this continent
the whole sea coast ofthe Southern States would
be open to them to operate upon. Those govern
ments having convenient harbors In the West
Indies TO obtain their supplies, would have q
decided advantage over N in naval conflict
They could make their base of operations near
our shores, while we would be forced to the
necessity OF operating from a Northern port
To provide against this emergency, Secretary
Seward pays visit to the island of St Thomas,
and enters into negotiation with the Danish
authorities for that barbor, which Is said to be
the finest in the West Indies, and well suited
for this purpose. We are informed that his
mission was successful and that Its objects
were accomplished. Taking this to be the cor
rect version, the public cannotfsil to commend
the skill Of the Secretary of State in thus throw
ing an anchor to the windward, to be ready for
any storm that may arise. However much
the people may condemn the neglect Of Con-
gress to provide for the protection Of our
Southern harbors, they cannot fail to regard
this move Of the administration az Q wise one
under the circumstances.
We would have greatly preferred that the
United States should take possession Of the
Island Of Cuba, which by nature belongs to us,
but st. Thomas will answer for the present
The Spanish governments can now quiet ito fears,
and rest In peace, as long az II behaves ITSELF
for having secured the harbor ut 81. Thomas
we have no use for Cuba. But that govern
ment must bear In mind that Il must keep itself
on tn good behavior, as far as the affairs Of
this continent are concerned, or we may find II
TO our interest to secure additional naval
stations In that quarter, and TO take them with
out formal negotiations, as In this case. The
hsrbor Of ST. Thomas having been secured, we
trust that Congress will make liberal appro-
priation toplace Il In o condition TO carry out
the object for which II was secured Our only
regrets are that II was not In our pos
session during the late OWL war. II would
have been Of inestimable advantage to us
during That period, ~ . rendezvous Tor our
a.