The Portland daily press., 1873-11-29
Our New York Letter.
The Cuban ImbrogIio-The Ac tion of the
Prcsident-Defcnse Of Secretary Fish.
NEW YoRK Nov. 27. 1879.

NEW YORK. Nov. 27, 1873.
Our Thanksgiving holiday has been observed
with much more junction than it would have
been if we had not just emerged from adver-
sites which threatened not merely the hap
days ago we were in the midst of financial
perils so grave that the most hopeful faces were
clouded with apprehension. Scarcely had the
recuperative energies Of the people given prom
Use of extrication from these difficulties when
ominious forebodings of war shroud ed the situa-
ton in gloom. But, to-day there is especial
cause for grateful exultation in the assurance
that our international complications will be
tranquilized by pacific negotiations involving
no sacrifice of dignity and no abatement of the
terms due to the vindication of honor. The
cable has been busy for wenty -four hours in the
transmission of communications between the
State Department and our Legation to Spain,
and while nothing definite has transpired in
reference to the adjustment of our claims aris-
ing out of the tragedy at Santiago de Cuba, the
opinion is generally entertained that the de-
mands of the government will be substantially
complied with. War is such an unmixed ca:
lamity, that any measures taken to avert it.
short of surrender of principles will meet
with the cordial appreciation of thoughtful men
in every part of the Republic
The President will have established new
claim to the confidence of the people if, in his
conduct OF our foreign relations in this critical
emergency, he has succeeded in avoiding blood
shed and at the same time maintained the in
volatility of the flag. The fiery Indignation
with which the recent massacres iu the West
Indies were received is certainly creditabe to
the humanity of Americans. But it is one of
the necessities of diplomacy that the actors in
1t should keep themselves free from the excit-
able feelings which might tempt them into acts
OF indiscreet precipitancy. The GOODNESS and
self-possession of the Chief Magistrate of the
nation admirably qualify him to deal with
questions demanding frmness combined with
wisdom, and energy blended with policy.
Too much praise cannot be accorded to the
Secretary of State for his share in these mpor.
tant transactions. A great deal of wordy de-
nuncation has been hurled against Mr.. Fish
touching his administration of the delicate re-
sponsibilities of his high trust During the
time when he was promoting that immortal
settlement consummated by the Geneva arbi-
rat'on, leading metropolitan journals were
ringing the changes with a prodigality of capi-
tai types and startling exclamation points over
our Humiliation, surrender" ''disgrace, %
&C, &C. But he quietly pursued his course,
with apparent Indifference to all such spurpv
vaporings until he proudly Witnessed the frui-
.'on OF his noble efforts in a settlement which
na' since elected the applause of the civilized
~o''u, ana will be commemorate. d in history as
one OF the greatest triumphs of neace eve,
acnieVeo IN the annals of mankind
In the hands OF such minister tho ,o+;o,o,
honor is entirely safe, and tbe na.;as.I ''.on"'
will not be rashly endangered. Ths ono 20, ,'.;n
not be imperiled by unmanly concsss;on. WV WI
the other disturbed by intemperate nttoro, roi
1t is no light matter to observe the ham,
dunn between pusllanimity and bluster =,
there is any man in public life, who NAV h,
trusted to hold the scales of justice with eve,
poise, it is Hamilton Fish, He has develope,
acapacity for affairs calculated to inspire tn
most implicit confidence in his patriotism and
good judgment. His incumbency of the De
psnment OF State is the best guarantee possible
tnat hostile collision with Spain can only re
suit from the weakness or obstinacv of tho an
thorities at Madrid-and that in anv event N.
American name will be preserved unspllied
YARMOUTH.