The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-14

lions Of the public. First of all the Presi-
dents Message fell heavy upon tho hearts OF
the Cubans and hopes Of the American
people. After saying something about the
people Of the United States sympathizing with
all who are struggling for liberty and self
government, and the efforts the government
had made to negotiate for the independence OF
Cuba, the President states that the contest on
the part of the Cubans ''has at no time
assumed the conditions which amount to
war in the sense of international law, or
which would show the existence ola de facto
political organization of the insurgents sufi-
cient to justify recognition of belligerency.'
Then followed Immediately after this declara-
ton the order to release. the Spanish gun
boats, thereby giving unnecessarily the most
effective aid to the Spaniards while at the
same time utterly ignoring the Cubans. Since
the publication of the Presidents Message the
sympathies and ardor Of Congress for the
Cubans seem to have been surprisingly chilled.
To all appearances it fell like wet blanket
upon the glowing sentiment of liberty and gene
rosity that lad fired the breasts of Congress
men before that event. Monster petitions for
the Cubans are tabled without notice; resolu-
tons favorable to Cuba or to bring up the
Cuban question in any form have been
objected to and laid over, and In every way
there seems to have been disposition to put
off the subject or to hold back from it for q
time.
This is curious state of things. 1t cannot
be explained by any facts known to the public
or by any process of reasoning upon the
caprices or vagaries Of human nature. The
Cubans have not forfeited their claim to the
sympathy of the American people and govern
ment. On the contrary, they have displayed
those heroic qualities and that ability in the
conduct Of their war for independence that
ought to inspire admiration in the heart Of
every American. How can the President say
it is not q war in the sense of international law
which would justify the recognition of bel
ligerency in the face Of facts to
the contrary that all the world must
know2 General Prim acknowledged lately
su0s AOA Ivy tAOub0uu lOOpS 0uu lOuIbccu WuT
vessels had been sent from Spain to suppress
the instruction, and yet it is known that the
insurgents are stronger to-day and occupy
larger extent Of territory than ever they did
since the commencement of the war; From the
very beginning, which from the want of means
was on very small scale at first. the Cubans
have been increasing their power, the strength
Of their organization and the territory held,
until they are able to defy successfully all the
power of Spain. The very necessity Of these
thirty gunbosts which this country has fur
lished the Spaniards,> and the enormous rein
orcements sent out from Spain, afford
sufficient answer to the Presidents ASSUMPTION
hat q war in the sense Of international law
loes not exist. The war is on such scale,
md the Cubans have such an organized
government, both civil and military, that any
lation would be justified in according belige-
ent rights. It could be done fairly within the
rational law. But the American republic and
government should rise above this considera-
ion even in the case OF Cuba. We should
rave broad and comprehensive American
'olicy Of our own with regard to all
he countries, colonies or territory in this
hemisphere. We should never fail to aid the
ause Of republican freedom on American soil
whenever an opportunity occurs If the
government should not do this at the present
line in the case OF Cuba it will show
@ch1 80
ship, will not fulfil its mission and will act in
opposition to both the interests of the country
and public sentiment
But we are not willing to believe the
administration is aiming to assist the
5paniards and to crush the Cubans, notwith-
standing the language of the Presidents Mes
sage and the release Of the Spanish gunboats.
We are disposed to believe there may be some
overtures from Spain-some protested dispo-
sition on the part of that Power to open nego-
Liations for the sale or cession of Cuba, and that
our government il DESTROYS to conciliate the
Spaniards and to save their pride from being
so that the object may be accom-
plished under the form Of friendship. The
attentions to General Sickles,
our Minister at Madrid, lately, give color to
this opinion. We cannot believe that the
government, and least of all that General
Grant, would take the back track in the
Cuban question for fear of war with
Spain. Such a bugbear would not
disturb the most nervous old fogy if he
had any sense. But II the seeming pro-
Spanish and anti Cuban policy of the admins
tration arises from any new movement on the
part Of Spain to negotiate for the sale or indie
pendence Of Cuba it may be well to warn the
government against any possible Spanish
so that it may not aid the Spaniards
in their atrocious system of war on Cuba for
the sake Of remote contingency. If our
government be too yielding and tender in It's