The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-24

ledgment from Great Britain OF its error or
an apology for iii Then let us say so. What
does all this diplomatic palaver amount to? 1t
will never solve the question, and is only used
as political hobby by such men as Mr.. Sum-
ner and Mr.. Fish to make sensation or for
the hope of gaining popularity. The govern
ment shows its weakness by hesitating and
beating round the bush. Its conduct is I'M
worthy this powerful republic. Let us tell
England exactly what we want-what we con-
slider is due to us-in digniaed and friendly
manner, and without making unreasonable
claims, and rest the case there. If the British
government should refuse to accept the terms
we can wait till some opportunity occurs to
take payment or reparation ourselves That
is the only course, under the circumstances,
for this great country to take. To take any
other will show indecsion and weakness and
will be humiliating.
One thing is particularly worthy of notice in
Mr.. Fish's long despatch on the ground and
nature of the Alabama claims, because it gives
clue to the weak, temporizing and contradc-
tory course of the administration with regard
to Cuba. The Secretary, in enumerating the
many instances in which this government has
fulfilled the obligations of neutrality TO other
nations by way of contrast to the conduct of
England in the case of the Southern rebels,
refers to its course with regard to the present
instruction in Cuba. Yet he admits in
another part of this despatch that each nation
must be the judge for itself when it
should or should not recognize the bellige-
rency of any people. This allusion to Cuba
shows plainly that in the view of Mr.. Fish,
and according to the views of Mr. Sumner,
Hoar and others who have influence over
him, the Alabama claims stand in the way of
the recognition of the Cubans. Yet there
would be no parallel between the recognition
of the Cubans by the United States, fifteen
successful war against a cruel and despotic
European government, and the hasty recog-
milton Of the Confederates by England at the
very beginning Of our war. The South was
an integral portion Of this free republic; Cuba
is a fearfully oppressed and remote colony
Cuba is our near neighbor, belongs to our
American system, and we are closely con-
nected and interested with the commerce,
political condition and future Of that country
We have declared this to Spain and to the
whole world. We have ever maintained the
right of colony to acquire independence;
we have reiterated the Monroe doctrine OF
America for the Americans and the sympathy
as well as the interests Of our people is with
the Cubans. None of these conditions applied
to the case Of the Southern rebels and Eng
land. We could recognize Cuba by every law
of morality, national policy and right, without
damaging our Alabama claims. We could
recognize Cuba and still get the full amount
of these claims if the government were wise,
bold and firm. But Cuba is worth far more
in money point of view to the United States
than the Alabama claims, and as possession,
geographically or politically considered, or in
naval or military sense, there is no COM
parison in the value. II is humiliating to see
this great republic sacrificing its principles,
policy and sympathics from fear Of raising
difficulty about the Alabama claims, and
because few vain and weak public men in
Washington have made these claims political
hobby.