New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-11-03

The President and the Cuban Question.
The following statement is contained in a
late Washington letter to the Chicago
Times:
The talk about the Cuban business has
naturally awak, ned desire to know what
position will be assumed upon the matter
by the President in his coming message TO
Congress. His views upon the subject and
his often expressed desire to see the bellig-
erent rights OF the Cuban insurgents recog-
nized are sufficiently well known. How
ever, it is not generally XXI own how intense
Ay the Presidents mind is wo ked on this
subject, and how vigorously he proposes 10
carry out his plans for the adjustment OF
the troubled affairs in the West India
Islands. In his coming message to Con-
gress it is his intention 10 more fully dis
cuss this matter than he has ever done be-
fore. He will try to make more clear his
intentions when he advocated the acquisi-
ton of San Domingo. He has not hitherto
cared to defend himself in this matter, but
now, Tor some reason OF his own, he de-
sires the country to accept his ex-
PLANTATION Of the attempt to gain pos
session of this island. These reasons he
gives with his customary breyity. He says
that primarily his great object in acquiring
San Domingo was to secure for the former
slaves of the South place of refuge where
they could find labor and shelter when they
were oppressed in the South. The posses
sion of this island alone, he thinks, would
have done more to settle the troubled con-
dition of affairs in the South than oil the
Legislation in the world. The colored people
would have had a place 10 fly to, if the
Southern people should maltreat them.
The former would then be driven to treat
the negroes kindly from the fact of their
fear of losing their valuable services in the
field. The labor question would do much,
tho Prpainapt thnka hiring the Soufb n
the proper consideration of the rights of
the colored people. Another reason is to be
given for the purchase of San Domingo.
The President thinks that if we had Sc.
cured the possession of the island we would
have been able to raise there all Of the pro-
ducts which we now buy of Cuba. Here is
where he thinks the whole case lies in
nutshell. He is of the opinion that with
out her trade with the United States
Spain could not sustain her war in Cuba
upon the insurgents. and that really the
United States is made to carry the burden
of the expense Of this cruel war. This the
President proposed to remedy, and his idea
is that the moment We arrive at point
when we can do away with the product of
Cuba, then will the war in Cuba be forced
to q close. Two great points are involved
in the Presidents West India scheme, one
to secure home for the negro, and thereby
tranquilize the South, aud che other to &c.
'CuIO LILO 4IOCuOm Va Subds ANS uO Will
most urgently bring forward in his annual
message. He expresses in private CONVEX
sation the strongest opinion in relation to
the matter, SO that his friends are convinced
that he is unusually in earnest about it,, A
strong effort will be made to secure the
recognition of the belligerent rights of
the Cubans before the first Of jan
uary next. Several sensational yer.
sions of the Cuban cause have been sent
over the country, Astounding in just enough
fact to give color to their assertions. The
plain matter of the whole business is that
the President is going to make one more
vigorous effort to carry out his pet ideas in
West India, and if Congress refuses to aid
him, then he will see what he can do upon
his own responsibility. In the absence of
Congress, the President has the right to
recognize the national existence Of the
Cuban insurgents. 1t can also be stated
upon the beet authority that Secretary Fish
has been brought over and made to sym.
psthize with the President in the idea that
something ought to be done. Mr.. Fish
heretofore hes been the great stumbling
block. If he indOrses Q movement on the
part of this government looking to the re-
cognition of the Cuban belligerents, the
matter is as good as done. 1t is only
question of time for ths rest.