The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-06
Cuba-Tho Position Of the President an
Probable Action Of Cousroas.

Cuba-The Position Of the President and
| Probable Action Of Congress.
Our Washington correspondence published
yesterday gives an account Of q long inter-
view which delegation Of Cubans, represent
ing the Junta and the Cuban government, had
with President Grant. The President received
this delegation very cordially, and listened, as
| the despatch says, with profound attention to
what the gentlemen comprising It, headed by
Mr. Fesser, had TO state. The Cubans argued
well their claims to recognition as belligerents
by the United States government, and when
the President remarked that there was
this important difference between Spain
and Cuba, that the former was . recognized
government and the latter was not, MIR. Fesser
replied that it was this difference which he and
bis compatriots desired to see removed, and
| that was the object of their appeal to the gov
eminent. "The United States" he said,
''make use Of the incubus citiosus in dealing
with the question. They say we are no gov
eminent because we are not recognized and
that we are not recognized because we are no
government. The United States tie ono of our
hands behind our back and allow Spain to
have both hands free, and then expect us to
fight on such unequal terms. Give US the most
ordinary fair play, which is all we ask, and
then let the strongest win" He argued that
this great republic should not aid .
European power to crush out the aspira-
ton Of noble people, struggling heroically
to obtain their independence. 'sThe course at
present pursued by the United States govern
ment," he said, twas entirely one-sided. The
Spaniards were allowed every privilege; they
were permitted to get everything here neoes-
sary to carry on the war, while poor, struggling
Cuba was denied the same privilege. There
was hardly an ounce Of powder used on Cuban
soil by the Spaniards that was not supplied
through some port Of the United States yet
the Cubans were not allowed to send to their
country ships, ammunition or provisions" At
the conclusion Of the interview the President
said he ''could do nothing in his position as
Chief Magistrate but to execute the laws but
that Congress would soon assemble and no
doubt would take the matter into prompt con-
sideration and adopt the best course that could
be followed under the circumstances"
Although the President was very guarded in
his expressions to the Cuban delegation, his
reception of it and his cordial and long inter-
view with il must be regarded as significant,
and especially 50 when we consider that just
| now no is very much occupied in the prepara-
| ton OF his message and in other work con-
nected with the assembling Of Congress But
his expression that Congress would no doub.
take the Cuban question into prompt consid-
Grafton and adopt the best course that could
be followed under the circumstances Is full of
meaning. 1t implies that the President
expects Congress will act upon the matter
very soon that he is already informed of the
to throw the responsibility upon that body. So
far so good. But tho President has not shown
in this Cuban business that moral courage
which he had shown on former occasions dur
ing his public career, and which the country
has given him credit for. The House Of
Representatives passed resolution unani-
mously last spring, expressing sympathy with
the Cubans and assuring the President Of the
support Of Congress in the official recognition
Of Cuba whenever he might think proper to
take such action. Though this resolution was
passed at the last hours of the session and
when the Senate had not time to act upon 1t,
there can be no doubt that the Senators agreed
with the Representatives. Then the people Of
the country throughout every section con-
Cured with Congress In the sentiment and
views expressed. The Republican State Con-
vention of New York last September passed
resolutions, unanimously, In favor Of the
Cubans and recommended their recognition by
the administration. Other public and repre-
sentative bodies In the different States have
acted similarly. The President then, ought
not to have had any hesitation in according
belligerent rights, at least, to the Cubans on
the ground Of public opinion or authority
from Congress. He has simply refused to act
on his own responsibility and against the wish
Of both the people and Of their representatives.
And why has the President taken this strange
and unpopular course? Itcould not be because
the Cubans had not actually acquired the char
acter Of belligerents, for oil the world knows,
and General Grant might have known, that
the Cubans have carried on q most heroic
struggle for more than year; that they have
been gaining ground from the beginning Of the
revolution; that Spain, with oil her troops
ships Of war and other resources, has beer
losing ground, and that the patriots have
shown their ability and determination to sus
, tain the war for Independence. Has not thu
President, against his own feelings and con
victions, submitted to the timid representa-.
tions, or misrepresentation, Of members Of hi
Cabinet9 Indeed, we can hardly resist thu