The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-04-29
Our Foreign Relations.

which serious difficulties, if not actual
war, are likely to characterize its rela-
tionswith one or two or more European
powers. Daily is the feeling against
the Cuban loyalists growing more pro-
nounced in its hostility. In Washing
ton, New York, New Orleans, and even
in Chicago, are clubs being formed,
and meetings held, whose purpose is
either to express sympathy for the
insurgent Cubans, or to extend to them
pecuniarv assistance. Whence orig
mating, or how directed, we know not
but it is certain that powerful cur
rent of public and popular opinion is
setting in the direction Of Cuban rec
ognition:
This sympathy for the revolutiohists
originally came from two sources.
One of these is the very general pre-
disposition of the people to extend
moral encouragement to any class of
people who rebel for the avowed pur-
pose of securing a larger liberty. The
other is the prevalent belief that the
Cuban insurrectiorists, if substantially
aided by this country, will, as a matter
of gratitude, favor union with the
United States. This belief is enter
tanned despite the fact that Cespedes
has threatened with death any one Of
his adherents who shall dare to advo-
cate annexation.
This sentiment toward the Cuban
revolutionists, while at first existing
without activity, has been energized
and given impetus by the action of the
Spanish authorities toward the United
States citizens and more particularly
by the forcible seizure ofan American
vessel, and the capture from her Of two
of our countrymen. In this respect,
we occupy toward the Spanish authori-
ties and the rebellion very much the
same position which England did to-
ward us and our rebel lion at the time
of the forcible seizure of Mason and
Slidell on the Trent. That act greatly
increased British sympathy for the
confederates, and British dislike of
the north /; and, in the same way, the
outrage upon the Mary Lowell has
intensified our sympathy for the In
surgents, and our hostility to the loyal
party in Cuba.
This American feeling toward Cuba,
originating in sentimental but mac
tive regard for liberal demonstrations
everywhere, and intensified by the
positive action of the Spanish authori-
ties, has been still further strengthen.
ed by an inadvertant ENLARGEMENT Of
the Cuban question with Great Britain
The outrage was committed upon YES
sci which was, to some considerable
extent, under protection of the British
flag The insult to us was permitted
by British authorities, and, therefore,
our old dislike Of Great Britain appears
opportunoly to strengthen our hostility
to Cuba. 1t needs but the assurance
that any course of ours is distasteful to
our English cousins, to constitute it at
once as popular consequently, the ac-
cidental connection Of the Mary Lowell
affair with Great Britain has given an
immense impetus to our sympathy for
the Cuban rebellion, and has changed
an immobile sentiment into an active
hostility 1t is quite possible that had
congress not adjourned, the reaction of
the popular feeling against the Spanish
Cuban authorities would assume much
more practical and decided shape than
that OF the harmless and blusterin g
resolution passed by the house of rep
resentatives.
1t is evident that our Cuban relations
have assumed character so delicate
and impossible, that word, an acct
dent, any little eveet, may precipitatc
an armed conflict. Our north Atlantic
squadron is being reinforced and active
preparations are in progress to enforce,
if necessary, the demand that is about
to be made for reparation for all out
RACES against American citizens.
Meanwhile, England is somewhat
involved in the settlement of the Cuban
question. 1t is party to the insults
which have been offered us, and upon
it has been made formal demand for
explanation and apology. As to the
course of England, there is no very
great doubt Rather than involve it.
self in war, it will afford the required
reparation, although there is strong
British party that would favor assist
ance to Cuba. There are a good many
Englishmen who will esteem the pres
ent opportunity most desirable one
for the settlement of English dislike
to America. The injudicious speech
of Chandler will have the effect to in
tensify the anti American feeling in
Great Britain. There is a good deaI
of bitterness about the rejection OF the
Alabama claims agreement. The old
dislike, which welcomed our late civil
war as the beginning of the end OF
this republic: has powerful and ex'
tended existence. All these antagon-
isms will unite to form formidable
war party, in case our difficulty with
Cubr should proceed to extremity
HostiIties against Cuba would, there
fore. certainly involve, SPAN, and posi-
bly Great Britain, whose directing
minds might conclude the opportunity
most excellent one for the wipin2
out of old grudges and the settlement