The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-08

Of popular struggle The pressure o.
events and ideas in Spain is preparing new
danger for General Dulce and the political and
social system he seeks to establish in the pro-
bable abolition by the Cortes of slavery
throughout the Spanish dominions. The con-
flict which portends is purely American one,
and among the great questions upon which Gen.
eral Grant and his administration will be re-
quired to take new point of departure that
Of Cuba and its relations to the Union is one
of the most important and most urgent. This
island, with population Of million and a
half of SOULS lying in close proximity to our
shores and along the immediate line Of our i'm
mense Atlantic coastwise commerce, is to-day
the scene of revolution which will inevitably
sever the island from the dominion of Spain.
We say that it will produce an inevitable sepa-
ration, because Spain herself is on the eve
of civil war, which already precludes her
from sending to Cuba the forces necessary to
triumph over the present revolution, and will
consume all the resources she can possibly
command for long period Of time to come
Herein lies the true point of view for
General Grant and his Cabinet to take. The
principle of diplomatic Intervention is every
where admitted in the school of European
politics when o threatened confagration in
any State portends danger to the interests Of
its neighbors. 1t is logical rule, and holds
good in America as well as in Europe. The
proximity of Cuba to our shores; the great
material interests of our trade, which are
affected by her veal or woe; the political
combinations which have existed in the past,
do now exist and will ever continue to exist,
all call imperatively for action on our part.
To show that this is not an imaginary call we
need cite only the fact-which is prominent
in the family traditions Of Admiral Porter
that in 1850 the United States was forced,
in order to protect its own commerce, to fol-
low the pirate fleets Of that day into many Of
the inlets and bays of Cuba and to burn
pirate settlement where the city of Cardenas
now stands. A policy of American interview
ton is, therefore, imperative to us, and all
circumstances and conditions combine to force
it upon the immediate attention of the in
coming administration. The first step should
be the unhesitating adoption of such course
Of action as will at once impress upon Spain
the conviction that she will not be permitted
utterly to destroy purely American commu-
nifty because it will not consent longer to be
governed under her antiquated sixteenth Gen.
tury notions Of public policy.
In adopting this course General Grant has the
opportunity to lay the corner stones of the
coming great and American party in our ma
tional politics on foundations as broad and as
secure as were those laid by Jefferson and Jack
son. The tone and temper of the people require
such a new party organization, which shall
ignore old party lines and be free from old
party corruptions. The circumstances of our
public affairs, both domestic and foreign, are
favorable to it, and General Grant himself has
the prestige necessary for its successful ac-
complishment. President Tyler tried to do this
thing, and he failed, because the people were
not prepared for it. President johnson also
tried it, and he failed, because he had not the
requisite personal prestige. The opportunity
is now offered, by o concatenation Of great
events, to General Grant, and as he resolves
or fails to accept his mission will he 60 down
to history as Jefferson or jackson or as a
Tyler or an Andy Johnson. The initial step is
involved in the Cuba question, and General
Grant should be prepared to give it an early
and prompt recognition.