The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-19

first strike blow by way Oh fes@,.@sivnj "uV
hear the apology OF Spain afterwards, hspain
should be disposed to apologize There 10, AS
was said, ample cause for such course la the
ontyaoes per petrated. Besides, no better op-
portunity could be desired to carry out
american policy and the wishes Of the Ameri-
can people with regard TO Cuba aud Cuban
independence. Place England, France, or auy
other great power in the position of the
United States, and see how soon blow would
be struck that would settle at once and forever
Spanish insults, diplomatic palaver, the rule
Of Spain in Cuba, aud the Independence Of
the Cubans. To paraphrase Shakespeare's
language, there is a tide in the affairs Of
nations which, II taken at the flood, leads on
to national fortune. In the case of Cuba the
tide is now at the flood. Let our Government
comprehend this, and seize the opportunity.
Timid old fogies who cannot see beyond
their noses may foolishly talk about our obli-
cations to Spain as friendly power, and
characterize any decided Intervention Of the
United States as flibustering. But such an
argument would be puerile, narrow minded
and show a want of comprehension OF the
principles that govern great nations. To pre-
serve end perpetuate the principles or system
upon which nation i5 founded, to surround
q nation with all the bulwarks of national ex-
istence, and to promote its interests, expan-
sion, and grandeur by every attainable means,
are the objects pursued by all governments,
term flibusteripg cannot be applied to great
nation. Nor are the friendly relations between
countries permitted to interfere with questions
OF high policy and important national Interests.
No great power ia deferred by such considera-
tions. We need not go far back to history to
show this fact.
Why did Prussia seize and incorporate the
German States Why does Russia push her
copauests in Asia and EuropeY Why does
England subjugate India and every other part
of the world she can lay her hands on Why
did France incorporate Savoy, and why does
she plot to reach the boundary of the Rhine?
Why was Poland conquered and divided by
the surrounding great powers Why, in fact,
do all nations act in the same wayY The
answer is in every ones mind. The object
with all is selfpreservation, the perpetuation
of their forms of government, and national
expansion, interests, and grandeur. This being
30 with the monarchical governments OF Eu-
rope, how much more ought the United States,
for the promotion of liberty and in the iDte-
rests of civilization and humanity, to extend
the blessings Of republican institutions over
the American continent To neglect any op-
portunity of doing this-and to neglect it in
the case of Cuba now-would be the height of
stupidity. Had we such statesman as Bis
mark or Napoleon at the helm OF affairs, the
insults of Spain, her atrocities in Cuba and
her rule in America would soon be ended.
1t was said Mr.. Fish expressed fear OF the
consequences of bold policy on the part of
the United States with regard to Cuba. We
blush to think any American could be found
so weak, timid, shorts sighted, and unpatrotic.
Fear of whom? OF Spain Why, if she were
silly enough to think of going to war with the
United States she has not the means; and If
she had she would produce just about as much
effect upon this country as the angry waves of
little lake upon the everlasting rocks. Fear
of whom? OF England or France There
need not be the least apprehension of them.
They know too well the power OF the United
States. They would not be so crazy as to in
terfere; they have enough to attend to in
Europe, and will never venture on any
Quixotic policy ON this side the Atlantic again.
We question if they would make a protest
even in favor of Spain, and if they should it
would be an empty one. Besides, these great
| commercial nations are learning the fact that
the more the United States expands and grows
the more will the commerce of the world be
promoted and the greater will be their trade.
What we want, then, is broad and bold
policy, with a view to the independence of
Cuba. Our Secretary of State does very vel
so far in vindicating the honor of the Ameri-
can flag and in promising to protect American
citizens. But that is not enough; that is not
going far enough. We are not sure that he
has the courage and wisdom to stick even to
this position, and we cannot be at the trouble
of driving him up to it always. He is. not the
man for the State Department at this crisis,
when we have the Cuban question and the
Alabama claims to settle. He is altogether
too timid, too much of an old fogy, and has
not the least comprehension of the policy and
destiny of this mighty republic. Mr.. Sumner
is the man for the time and occasion. His
statesmanlike speech on the Alabama claims
shows this, and we doubt not that he
would be equally national, bold, and COM
prehensive with regard to Cuba. By the
way, it has been said that these Alabama
claims are stumbling block to the admins
tration in acting upon the Cuban case. We
do not see why. The hasty recognition of the
belligerent rights of the Rebel States, an
integral portion of this republic, by England,
and the recognition of suoh rights, or the indie
pendence OF Cuba, distant dependency O.
Spain and our near neighbor, after more than
six months of constant success by the Cub ans
are not at all parallel cases, to say nothing o
the wel-establshed policy of the United States
under the Monroe doctrine which was lont
ago announced to the whole world, and which
now finds a proper application to Cuba
Let us have a statesman in the State Depart
ment who will take such broad views anC
carry out the sentiments and destiny OF tn,
republic; and We think Mr.. Sumner is tn
man.
PARTY RESPONSIBILITY.
From the n. y. Times
In face of their proteststions Of economy, tn
; Aoan -.