Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-05

Inc Spahssu question:
There is some reason TO apprehend serious
trouble with spain. The recall of Mr. Roberts,
the present Spanish minister al Washington, and
the appointment OF Admiral Polo to succeed
him, are thought at Washington to indicate that
The feelngOf the Spanish government toward
the United States, if not positively hostile, is at
least not friendly. No official intelligence Of Mr.
Roberts recall has been received, but the change
has been reported by cable and this report is be-
leved to be well founded. This of itself would be
unimportant fcauses oil offence had not already
arisen between the two countries, and if there
were not peculiar relations out of which new
difficulties may grow at any time The recent
boarding and search of the Florida by a Spanish
war vessel, If the account already published
proves true, is an insult that our government
annot allow to pass unnoticed, and although it
could cousc no apprehension Of trouble between
two nations disposed to cultivate friendly rela-
tons with each other, yet if Spain is inclined to
be unreasonable and arrogant, she may choose
to fnd sufficient cause of quarrel in the tem-
perate demand for explanation and apology
which the president VIII no doubt think it his
duty to make
The United States have certainly no wish to
quarrel with Spain or to treat her with injustice.
Immediately after the revolution in that country
the feelings of our people towards her were es-
pecialy cordial We congratulated her on hav.
ing cast off corrupt and oppressive dynasty,
and hoped for a return of her former prosperity
and glory under constitutional government.
If onr feelings have since changed toward her
it is her own fault, and is due not only to the
atrociops and cruel tyranny which she has
maintained or permitted in Cuba, but also to the
persistent disregard Of the rights of our citizens
by Spanish military and naval officers in Cuba
And the neighboring seas, and the indifference of
the Spanish home authorities to the remon-
strances of our government. 1t cannot be de-
MED that our people are inclining more and
more to the opinion that the arrogance of Spain
must be checked, and she must be taught TO re-
sDect her international obligations and if posi-
Bile, TO pay some regard to the public opinion of
mankind in her rule in Cuba. The vindication
of the national dignity is too often made the pre-
text for unjustifabe aggression; but there is Il
point where the federation of repeated insult and
wrong is no onger consistent with selfrespect,
or with proper regard for material interests
There are of course considerable numbers
among us who would welcome war with Spain,
because it would give an opportunity for the
acquisition of Cuba by conquest; but this prob
able consequence would, in our view, be an adj
ditional reason for avoiding it. We need no
more territory, ami certainly DO not want the
population with which that island is cursed
We do not suppose that war with Spain is
probable. Official information may put a diff
ferent face upon the Florida affair, and the new
minister, il the change is made, may prove to
be more conciliatory in temper and manner than
report represents him. But whatever difficulties
may be interpOsed to obstruct a peaeeable adj
justmeut Of all matters in dispute, without
prejudice TO the rights Of our citizens and the
national dignity, we cannot believe that they
will prove too formidable to be overcome BY
prudence, 6rmness and good temper on the part
Of our government. While we have no special
reason 10 dread a war with Spain, other than
the general evils that Inevitably attend all wars,
Spain cannot reasonably expect to gain any i'm
portant advantage, Or even 10 escape serious
losses, IN war with the United States.