The New York herald., 1870-03-17
The Cuban oa..,Iop-ssun,or sumnor, che
Old Mao Of the Sea.

eoh WeDD, which appeared IN Lne ifsoHDe Oi
Tuesday, ON the state of things in Cuba,
cannot fail to produce an effect upon Congress
and tho country II is written in excellent
temper, impartial to all parties concerned,
and, at the same time, has the true ring OF
American patriotism. General Webb has had
great experience in important affairs during,
as ne says, the forty-two years of active public
life, the thirty-four years he was editor in New
York, the eight years he was Envoy Extraor-
dlnary and Minister Plenipoentiary to Brazil
and in other prominent positions. He is like
the war horse which Immediately becomes
inspired when active work is on hand or before
him. The state of affairs in Cuba and the
Cuban question was just the field for his ever
active mind, and no one could be found per-
haps, more capable of investigating and writing
on the subject. His letter cannot failto con-
vince any One-except Senator Sumner and Mr..
Fish-of the strength, resources and determi-
nation Of the Cuban patriots of the frightful
character of the war in Cuba; the merciless
brutality of the Spaniards; the anarchical
rule of the Spanish volunteers; the unpro-
tected condition of American citizens in the
island; the contempt for the American govern
ment; the miserable, weak and shortsighted
policy OF the administration at Washington, and
the duty of this country in the matter. He has
become voluntary commissioner and diplo-
mat at the right time, and, if we mistake not,
his letter will produce good effect in Wash
ington.
The great obstacle to the recognition of
the Cubans has been in Senator Sumner, that
Old Man of the Sea, who has mercilessly en-
deavored to crush the Cuban patriots. This
visionary theorist and heartless egotist has
persistently msrepresented the condition OF
concession of belligerent rights TO the insur-
gents would damage his sophomorical grafton
on the Alabama claims question and the ambi-
tious hopes he had built upon that. He would
sacrifice the cause Of republican liberty in
America and the principles of hum unity, as
well as national interests, for hobby or from
selfish motives. He has ever been impracticable
and marplot of evil. Tic terrible bloody
civil war we recently passed through, with the
enormous debt and all the other dreadful evils
resulting from it, are to be attributed more to
him than to any other public man. In direct
opposition to well ascertained facts he asserted
over and over again that there was no war in
Cuba worthy Of being SO called, that the insur-
rection was played out, and that the patriot
government of Cuba had not abolished slavery.
10 Iruv, info fto
mendacious Spanish officials and from such
false reports as have been continually sent
from Havana by that agent of the Associated
Press, who as General Webb shows, has been
the instrument and tool of the Spanish authori-
ties. He would not listen to anything else
because it has not suited his purpose to do 50.
Unfortunately, too he has had absolute influ-
ence over our weak Secretary of State, and
thus, indirectly, over the President and other
members of the administration.
1t will not be 50 easy for Mr.. Sumner to
deny the facts presented by General Webb
They have the impress of truth upon
them. General Webb had an opportu-
nifty of getting facts on the spot, and
CVCu JCuuJOI ouLAuSl Will ScaICIy haSC
the hardhood to question either the intell-
gence or statements Of such high authority.
And what does General Webb say after giving
details in confederation Of his assertions !? 81
hazard nothing" he declares, lin saying that
had General Grant and Hamilton Fish been
permitted to know the whole truth belligerent
rights would have been conceded to the
Cubans six months ago, in utter disregard OF
the arrogant and oficious threats of Spain to
consider such a proceeding on our part a
casus 6elI." This may be properly called
the summing up and verdict Of General Webb
on the facts which he has given in detail. 1t
is and will be the verdict Of the American
people Also General Grant, we are sure, has
been deceived. In the multiplicity Of his
duties he has been compelled to rely upon his
Cabinet, and in this matter mainly upon Mr..
Fish Blind himself on this subject, he has
been led by the wilfully blind men that sur
round him. But has not the time arrived
when the President should open his eyes and
and Mr.. Sumner? This Cuban question has
assumed such a phase and such proportions
now that it cannot be shirked any longer by
the administration without irretrievable dis
grace If Mr.. Fish and the rest of the
Cabinet will not go with popular sentiment
will still be opposed to the honor and interests
Of the country in the matter of Cuba-the
President should dismiss them at once and
form new Cabinet. As to war with Spain
through conceding belligerent rights to the
Cubans, that is a bugbear 1t would be no
cause of war, and would not be recognized as
such by the civilized world. If spain should
be foolish enough to venture upon such
course, let her do so. We could soon humble
her pride and folly, and indemnify ourselves
for the war. But it is positively humiliating
to think that this mighty republic dare not do
what it should from fear Of war with decrepit
and third rate Power like Spain. Let us