The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-17

OF the world she can lay her hands on2 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 Powers2 Why, in fact,
do all nations act in the same wsys The
answer is In every ones mind. The object
with all is self-preservation, the perpetuation
Of their forms of government and national
expansion, interests and grandeur. This being
so with the monarchical governments of
Europe, how much more ought the United
States, for the promotion Of liberty and in the
interests of civilization and humanity, to
extend the blessings of republican institutions
over the American Continents To neglect any
opportunity of doing this-and to neglect 1t in
the case of Cuba now-would be the height Of
stupidity. Had we such a statesman as Bis
marck 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 a bold policy on the part Of
the United States with regard to Cuba. We
blush to think any American could be found
80 weak, timid. short-sighted and unpatriotic.
Fear of whom9 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 a little lake upon the everlasting
rocks. Fear of whom2 OF England, or
France? There need not be the least appre-
hension of them. They know too well
the power of the United States. They
would not be 80 crazy as to Interfere;
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 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 view to the independence of
Cuba. Our Secretary of State does very well
80 far in indicating 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, 1t 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 such rights or the indie
pendence of Cuba, a distant dependency of
Spain and our near neighbor, after more than
six months Of constant success by the Cubans,
are not at all parallel cases, to say nothing of
the well established policy of the United
States, under the Monroe doctrine, which was
long ago announced to the whole world and
which now finds proper application to Cuba.
Let US have statesman in the State Depart
ment who will take such broad views and
carry out the sentiments and destiny of the
republic; and we think Mr.. Sumner is the
man.
TERRIBLE CALAMITY ANTICIPATED IN