The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-12

can be turned or interpreted to that end. IL
the administration be disposed to favor the
Cubans by letting the Hornet 60 there are pre-
cedents for that. The Cuban flag is recog-
nized by several Of the republics of America,
and SO far has a legitimate existence. The
United States can act upon that fact, just as
Spain and Portugal acted in the case of the
Confederate privateers which went into and
recruited in their ports when the Confederates
had not been recognized by them as belge-
rents. The Hornet did not clear from nor
become an armed vessel in our ports, and it is
tory 1t matters not where she was built or
who she belonged to before. She cleared from
a foreign port, took her armament and supplies
on board at sea, and WAS at the time
Cuban vessel-the vessel of bel
ligerent Power that had been recognized
by several Independent nations But
whether the Hornet be condemned or allowed
to go, the government may hereafter and that
soon, recognize the Cubans. Judicial or gov
ernmental action in her case need not influence
the conduct of the administration in its future
policy towards Cuba.
Whatever timidity the Secretary of State
may exhibit on the Cuban question from a
ridiculous fear of damaging our case in the
Alabama claims, Congress is not likely to be
afraid Of that bugbear. Judging from our
Washington dispatches, which give the views
of the Congressman who arrive at the capital,
and from the expressions of the leading public
men Of all parties, there seems to be no doubt
that decided measures will be taken, as soon
as Congress assemblies, in favor of Cuba.
Members will see, it Mr.. Fish cannot, that
there is no parallel between the case Of Eng
land recognizing the rebels as belligcrents at
the very commencement Of the war, and the
recognition Of the Cubans by the United States
after year Of successful warfare. They will
understand, if he does not, that this mighty
republic has comprehensive American
policy to carry out regarding all the
countries contiguous to ours, and they are
not likely to lose the opportunity afforded by
the struggle in Cuba to extend republican
institutions in this hemisphere. The Alabama
claims will not brighten them, for we can settle
these at some future day when most convenient
to us. They will not sacrifice the principle of
American liberty and republicanism or neglect
to seize present and greater good for that
which is of less Importance and which can be
safely postponed. No, they will say, if we
may judge from the views of Congressman and
the strong current of public sentiment, Cuba
first and the Alabama claims afterwards We
know what the opinion of the President is, and
there is no doubt he will cordially cooperate
with Congress in this matter Still the ques-
ton arises, ought not the administration to
anticipate the action of Congress? Should it
not endeavor to stop the bloody work in Cuba
by such an energetic policy as would soon
close up the war? There need be no fear of
war with Spain. The Spanish government has
not the means nor will it have the temerty to
engage in such futile and hopeless conflict.
Prompt and bold action is demanded now of
the administration on this Cuban question.