The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-06
The Cuban Muddle:
varieties,

Whatever may have been the other pecu-
liarities of President Grants Cabinet. it
cannot be said that there has been any
general disposition to adopt bold or de-
cided policy, whether in foreign affairs or
the domestic concerns OF the nation. Ir-
resoluteness and timidity mark the whole
course Of the government, and no man feels
sure that the decision OF to-day will not be
reversed on the morrow. The game OF see
saw, however amusing in itself, is not one
likely to inspire confidence when played
persistently by the Executive OF mighty
people; but nothing better can be expected
from the weak head of divided and dis
tracted council
The letter of our Washington correspond
ent, published yesterday, supplies a forcible
illustration of the policy or no-policy OF the
Grant administration. In spite OF the eX-
hortations and expostulations Of the North
ern press, the government refrained from,
recognizing Cuba, or giving or allowing to
be given to the Cuban insurgents any sub
stantial aid The United States could not,
without gross logical inconsistency, meddle
in the quarrel between Spain and the Gem
of the Antilles" Exaggerated statements
of the strength and successes OF the revolu-
tionists were wholly disregarded, and steps
were taken to prevent expeditions, intended
for their support from leaving the Gulf and
Atlantic coast. All this was well enough,
when followed by the detention OF the Span
ish gunboats; but here the chronic weak
ness of the administration showed itself,
the Cabinet allowing themselves to be per-
suaded by the Cuban Junta to make pro-
posal to Spain for the peaceable cession OF
Cuba. At this point came in the note OF
Minister Sickles to the Spanish Government,
than which no more registering and pot
valiant document has been addressed by
powerful to weaker nation. The Spanish
ministry promptly declined to hearken to
threats or to be swayed by intimidation.
The martial spirit, dormant since the sue
cessiul war with Morocco, was once more
aroused, and Spain allowed it to be plainly
seen that she bad rather fight at disad-
vantage than submit to insolent dictation.
The note was in the worst possible taste;
but little courtesy or sarOir faire was ex-
pected from the notorious individual who
represents the United States at the Court
of Spain, and it was hoped that the refusal
of the Senate to confirm his appointment
would relieve the government from embar-
rassment, and wipe out the remembrance
Of serious diplomatic blunder.
The whole business was bad enough while
Sickles was believed to be the sole author of
the note, but our Washington correspondent,
lifting the veil Of secrecy, declares authorita-
lively that Minister Sickles was only 'fOl-
lowing the language Of q cable telegram
from the Secretary Of State" All was fish
that came to the net of Slckles, and the
hero OF Gettysburg was doubtless glad
enough to have an opportunity of showing
his own bluntness and the hectoring spirit
of his government. President Grant and
Ills OuDlucI dIc, IL SCCuiSf iiOiO iSoPOhoAbAN
for what Minister Sickles has done; but
with charming vacillation may, before anoth-
er sun goes down, disavow their own act,
and make ready to cast their Jonah into the
jaws Of political oblivion.
And what is the present attitude OF the
United States Government towards Spain
and Cuba? The prospects OF the insur-
gents are gloomy in the extreme. DisSen-
sion and jealousy rob them of their strength
their leading generals are accused OF treach-
cry; the American volunteers are eager to
return to their homes The career Of the
Cuban rebels promises to be as brief as that
of their first man-of-war, the termination OF
whose bloodless cruise was announced in
the dispatches Of yesterday. And at the
moment when the clouds hang like pail
over the insurgent cause, the United States
rush headlong to the rescue and tell Spain
that our dogs of war must soon be unleash
ed if Cuba is not Free There might be some
.chivalry IN talking in this way to nation
OF equal power and equal strength, but it is
not the habit Of this glorious country to hit
one its own size. Nor will the government,
we undertake to say, togo~ mp its dig ,coryls
6y brace deeds. The United States will not
90 to war, even with Spain, however the
Cabinet and the press may bluster. Nay,
we venture the assertion that, despite the
Sickles note n'iS government has no present
intention Of g)tng so far as simple recog-
milton of the bsH.gerentrights Of the CubanS.
Is not this contemplate position to be oc-
cupied by once proud ard united people?
That Cuba will ultimately be annexed to
the United States we do not doubt, but we
do not look for the immediate realization Of
the dream of the Northern roysterers, who
want more political worlds to conquer. We
have territory enough for all our wants, and
if the Cubans know what is good for them,
they will put off as long as they can the
consummation of their union with this coun-
try. We sympathize with any people who
fight for freedom and independence; but it
is hard to see how the white Cubans could
obtain either by joining their destinies, at
this time, to those OF the United States.