The New York herald., 1869-05-07
The Cuban Question Before the Govcrnment
and the People.


The administration will do well to observe
the popular instinct That the public mind is
in active and full sympathy with the Cubans,
who are struggling to throw off the yoke OF
Spain, and to annex that fertile island to our
political Union, no man who can read the
signs Of the times will doubt The thronged
public meetings which have been witnessed in
many of our larger cities to express sympathy
with the cause, the avidity with which intel
ligence from the island is sought for, and the
prominent discussion which the leading jour-
mails in all parts of the country give to tho
question and its affiliating issues, all indicate
that there is something more than passing
sentiment at work among the people. It is
the unfailing indication that for Cuba the full
ness Of time is approaching when she must
follow her destiny, no matter what courts or
cabinets may think or wish. In all questions
of national development the people are always
in advance of their rulers, and these are ever
compelled to follow, not to guide, the national
will
The little germ which less than one hundred
pendence Hall at Philadelphia has now grown
to a stalwart nationality, abundantly capable
to defend the principles Of its life, as well as
to provide for its own safety. In one shape or
another, by violent or by peaceful means, the
colonial system which marked the early age Of
American growth has given way before its de-
velopment until at the present day but small
remnant of colonial rule is left in the New
World. A few islands in the American Medi-
terranean and two or three insignificant COM
munities around the delta of the Orinoco COM
prise the extent Of European government in
America. These stand more as picket posts
than as valuable possessions along the coast Of
North America, from which American growth
may be watched, and II need be may be
checked or resisted in It's advance.
1t is this fact which the popular instinct is
keen TO appreciate and to destroy. However
much the government may be bound by diplo-
macy or by treaties and their consequent legis-
lation to respect the existing status of colonial
rule, the public mind of America can never
forget that our nationality was born in war
against that system, and that our growth has
ever been in opposition TO II. Hence the feel
ing which our fathers exhibited in behalf Of
the Spanish American republics, and that
which is now found animating our people in
favor of Cuba. When we were younger as a
nation, and before our strength had fairly har-
dened into the bone and sinew, II was well for
government to be prudent in its proclamation Of
principles and cautious In Its defence of rights.
Therefore we have no fault to find with Presi-
dent Adams because when the Cuban question
first came up in 1926 he hesitated to proclaim
the true principle Of American growth. The
Holy Alliance had but recently suppressed the
liberties Of Naples, Piedmont and Spain, and
the time was not propitious. II was our for
then, which gave to Spanish gov
ernment in Cuba new lease of life.
That lease she has cancelled by her own
acts. Obstinately refusing TO recognize the
growing spirit Of the age, she has consolidated