The New York herald., 1869-04-20
spain aud Cuba--Onr National Duty to
Ourselves.


What is to be the attitude of the United
States with reference to Cuba and Spain?
This is question not only of vital interest to
North America, but to the whole of South
America. Expediency and self-protection
enter largely into our national views of the
subject. Much of the future progress OF
fifteen republics and the fate of one empire
hang upon the wisdom of our action. What is
Cuba? 1t is great natural fertilization, un-
eQualled as a base of operations for European
Powers against any country in the New World
1t is not only selfsupporting, but so rich thai
it gives thirty-three million dollars OF revenue
to the decrepit monarchy that domineers It,
From this military and naval base have been
launched nearly all the expeditions which
have struck at the maitland since Herman
Cortez invaded Mexico in 1919. From
1910 to 1929 it served for the COM
plete desolation of every Spanish-Amer-
lean country on the Continent. Havana
was the rendezvous for the English, French
and Spanish expedition against Mexico during
our civil war. Again it became at once the
purse and the stronghold Of the Spanish feet
under Admiral Nuhez for the desolation of
the Pacific coast of South America and tho
late barbaric bombardment of Valparaiso.
Were the movement of the world eastward
instead of westward how long would Europe
permit us to hold fortified island in the Eng
lish Channel or point like Gibraltar at the
entrance of the Mediterranean? Aud yet this
is an inferior comparison to what Cuba is
to this Continent; inferior even to what Cuba
is with reference to our own Atlantic coast
and our Mississippi valley.
No national or international laws can be laid
down to cover questions which are born Of
progress and the times National expedi-
ency becomes the irresistible lever forcing
national action. 1t is so in the history
of our great mother England, and, were
there space, we might make u tour around
the world and point out numerous ilustra-
tions of territory seized and held by her in
spite of treaties. In the history of nations
honor and force are synonymous; for force is
the result of great progress; great progress is
honor. If nation, progressing beyond It's
fellows, finds itself cramped and threatened
by one of retrograde tendencies, it becomes not
only expedient but righ. to sweep away the
obstacle, be it fertilization, an island, or
both. 1t is this which not only our pro-
gress but that of the Continent calls upon us
to do with reference TO Cuba as held by Spain.
1t is upon this broad ground We would an
nounce to Spain that she can no longer
cover our coast with her guns. We would
not make war under petty subtcr-
fuge, for the game at which we shoot iiies
higher. We are great enough and strong
enough to frankly acknowledge our necessities.
Let US not disgrace ourselves by descending
national objective point under the smoke of
pistol shot, the seizure Of vessel, or the con-
1scation of contraband cargo of war mate
rial. All these should be secon 'ary, not pri-
mary, Causes of war in the Cuban question.
AS secondary causes they are powerful. The
seizure Of two men from the deck Of an Amer
ican vessel, the Lizzie Majors, while on the
high seas, is a parallel case with that of our
Trent difficulty with England 1t is a sufficient
cause of war if Spain rofusos reparation and
nounce tho higher reason We have men,
toned.
How we'll Cuba may serve to make war
against US is best shown by the constant war
fare indirectly waged upon us from Havana
after the Spanish concession Of beligerert
rights to the Confederate" rebels. Can
Secretary Fish be so pucrile as to now
make a proposition to the country to pur-
chase Cuba, when shot and shell were
rained upon US from that fertilization
for four years? Who would lower his
national dignity by paying hard cash for
four years insult? Negotiate with Spain for
Caba!" Where is President or Cabinet tha.
darcs propose it9 How long since our people
began TO swallow insults and pay for the
prvilcge9 Mr.. Fish thinks that sit will be
more economical 10 buy instead Of TO make
war for the acquisition OF the island; that
''war with Spain, coupled with England and
France, would involve u, in vast oatlays
and require now and great sacrifices from
our people, who already sur,r quite enough"
ECONOMY" at the expense of national dsgra-
dation! What splendid stuff this Premier il
made of that he hints at such thing. liz this
the material OF which our new C,binet is COM
posed2 Doubtless the large feet now CON
centrating in Cuban waters is for the purpose
of projecting the island for Spain until the
negotiations for its purchase may be concluded.
In the now pending question of The Alo-
bama claims with England we advise our
British rivals to take the hint that the great
republic has already become 10 dccrepit that
economy" is the keynote of national action.
We are even ready to pay for the favor done
to us b. the English pirates, and any order