The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-08

There seems to be some reserve with the
administration, and consequently an unusual
reiieence with the Washington newspaper cor
respondents, on the policy OF the government
with regard to Cuba. This leaves room for
good deal Of speculation. Consequently that
portion Of the press which evidently is under
Spanish influence pretends to believe the
President viii ignore Cuba in his message to
Congress next month. OF course such an
opinion has not been formed from any infor-
nation obtained from General Grant or from
the State Department, and no doubt has been
manufactured either by tho American agents
of the Spanish government or by the news
papers themselves under Spanish influence
We cannot expect the President will reveal at
present precisely what he intends to say or
recommend to Congress about Cuba, and per-
haps he has not yet made up his mind fully on
the subject. In the month between the present
time and the assembling of Congress events
may occur to modify existing Impressions
As he will act in accordance with public sent-
ment, probably he may deem it important to
ascertain what the views OF the representatives
Of the people are before he decides upon the
course he will take in his message on the
Cuban question.
But we are not left in the dark entirely as to
General Grants views and sympathies relative
to Cuba, and therefore, can form a better
| opinion Of what policy he may develop in his
message than that offered by the Bohemian
press or Spanish agents. The views Of the
President were given at different times during
the last summer and fall through the cores
pondsnce OF the HERALD, and, indeed, 80 were
those Of the Secretary Of State We know,
| then, that General Grant warmly and heartily
favored Cuban independence, and that Mr..
Fish expressed himself in similar manner on
this subject. We know that he cordially sim
pathized with the Cubans in their struggle for
liberty, and looked forward to the time
when the United States could recognize
them. Even the excessively conservative
Secretary of State admitted, months
ago, that recognition and Cuban indie
pendence were only a question of time.
The action of the government, too, through
our Minister at Madrid, in proposing to nego-
tate with Spain for the independence OF Cuba,
shows that as far back as last spring the admin
! istration was earnestly at work to bring about
the freedom of Cuba. To suppose that the
\ President would now, after the Cubans have
heroically maintained the struggle, and that
with better prospects Of success, abandon the
object he had In view and the Cuban cause, is
unreasonable, and would imply a degree of
imbecility and vacillation on the part of the
the character of General Grant and which the
American people cannot believe. Throughout
his history and public career General Grant
has shown that he entortains broad national
views on all questions pertaining to the
progress and perpetuation of republican free
dom on American soil and to progress and
grandeur Of his own country. This was seen
in his bold proposition to march an army across
the Rio Grande and drive the foreign imperial
intruders from our sister republic of Mexico.
In fact, he has shown the same broadly national
sentiment and fearlessness on every occasion
when republican institutions on American soil
and the progress and grandeur Of our country
were in question.
How, then can we believe that the Pres;-
dent viii ignore Cuba In his message to Con.
gress, or that he will abandon the cause o.
the Cubans, after oil that he has said and thu
effort be has made to secure their indepen.
dencc2 To be silent about Cuba when tn,
public mind is full Of the subject and in ex
pectation Of definite policy being declared
would be acting like tho foolish and timit
ostrich, which hides its head under The sane
without considering that its whole body is ex
posed to view. The Cuban question is tot
prominent and too popular n one to be ignored
and we do not think there is Spanish infuenc,
enough at Washington to blind the Presiden
to this fact. AT all events, it is certain
neither the people nor their representatives Ii
Congress will ignore it. As to the sympath,
Of The American people with the Cubans Their,
can be no doubt. 1t exists in every sectio,
and among all classes, except perhaps will
Mr.. Sumner, who thinks of nothing but bi
speech on the Alabama claims, and who woul,
sacrifice the liberties Of any people for Oh,
iancied glory connected with that, or with III,
exception, possibly, Of few copperhead poll
ticians and weak old fogics, who would fenc,
in the United States to prevent any furthe,
expansion or progress. But the question 0
Cuba is not one of sympathy only, dcspoi
and cruel as the Spanish government of tn
island is, and much as The American peop
may desire TO see the Cubans free, but impor
tant American interests, principles and progress
are involved. Cuba Is the richest island i