, 1875-11-18

ntnro in .ntting "wnrs and rumors Of wars
i'll tho relations between tho United States
and Spanish Governments as unoll!cially do
ined in soulo press dispatches, and thougl,
tho order for fitting out three American ves-
sells Of war probably nleens nothing more than
a prudent preparation for any emergency,
there ia little queetson but that tho bonds Of
friendly relation between Spain mud this coun-
try nro stretched to tho utmost tension, md
are in danger Of swapping nsunder at amy
aggravation of our complaints. There isalso
little doubt but tho President will bo moro
blunt and outspoken in his next message than
ever before on the fonl wrongs which Cuba
suffers Mt the hands Of tie Spanish Govern
ment aud tho commercial grievances Of the
American people arising from. the iniuatice Of
The Spanish irnpost lawB in Cuba. We have
been long suffering in this regard, aud 1t
would bo strange indeed if there had not been
generated au i!l-foelin8 that is eager for ex-
preston.
A foraign war not having coma within tho
experience of several generations, is nntu-
rally regarded as outside the range of posi-
blitics. Tho War Of tho Rebellion was SO
lchAl kEA UfEA tAtEh A4HLJAH Astl4 Alp
first call for volunteers. Tho American peo-
pie nre not much given to apprehension. The
tendency is not merely TO cxaggerato, but to
regard everything rs exaggerated. Thero is
no danger, therefore, that the country will bc
in tho loast excited over my Spanish news
that looks liko war. II war comes at all, 1t
Is moro likely to DO actually upon us before
wo know it. But, on the other hand, it is
foolish to tlismiss tho idea as impossible or
absurd TINT thero should be such co.uplica~
tions 10 to botray tho American people into
foreign war. Our natural and traditional
policy is peace. It is q policy to which wc
alwaya have been, and probably always will
be, ready to make abundant concessions.
But we cannot, on that account, submit
TO any fragrant grievances It is as neccp-
sary that the United States Government shnll
protect tho lifo and rights of hor citizens,
sllall resent indignities put upon tho nation,
and do1nand equal consideration in COM
nlorco, as thnt Grcat Britain, or Franco, or
Germany pursue this course. Submission to
any imposition in ono csso would imply sub
mission in nil future cases. 1t would have
been exceedingly uncomfortable for us, to
say the least, to have gone to war with Great
! Britain, he'd TINT Government refused to refer
the Alabama claims to q fair arbitration or to
abide by the award made against It; but such
! q result could not have been avoided In such
| case. So va con only bear with Spanish
| snubs and Spanish impositions until tho rec
ogaized dignity OF q great milton needs to bo
| defended.
Tho American carso Of complaint against
| Spain includes notably three unequal adyan-
tages which Spain inaiats upon, viz. The
maintenance Of the right, under treaty dat
| ing as fur back as 1906, to soarch American
vessels on tho high scas when they are "ssls-
pccto,1 Of being on mission of aid aud
comfort to Spaiu's enemy; tha unjust aud
extostionato discrimination Of Spanish 1Awa
governing Cuba, by which American broad.
stuls and manufactures are practically shnt
out from the axchongo for Cuban products
which We buy so liberally; and the continua'
tioa Of long mud cruel warfare in Cuba,
which has bean Of duration and character
to Justify tho belief TINT Spain has not tle
power to govern tho island over which sht
still insists upon asserting her dominion
The Inst cause Of American complaint IL ont
ne share in common with tho remainder o1
tho civilized and commercial world, will
the difference that American interests ar,
moro seriously affected by the disturbcs
condition Of Cuba than are any others. No
,, counting this, the American nation. aa th
nearost noighbor Of tho Cuban people AMI
with native sentiment Of liberty, must q
leaat feel an equal responsibility with th
other great nations OF the world in sanction
ing tho continuation Of unciyilized warfar
!, under tho protense Of qne'iing m inBurrec
ton, and with only tho effect of perpotuatin
human slavery nnd destroying tho uaefulues
Of ono Of tho richest islands on tho globe.
It is altogether likely that tho spaniah Gov
ernment In correct in assuming that the d.
.. mand for tho abrogation Of their right {
searching American vessels on tho high sem
under certain circumstances, ia with vtes
J to tho recognition Of tho Cuban patriots q
belllgerenta. But suppose this to be true
It gives no warrant to Spain to deny to th
United 6tates Government the considoratlo
which haa boon accorded to other Go
: ernmcnts Tho United Statcs should be
FREQ to recognize the Cabans o. bellige
y onts--and 1t il abzlrd longer to lony it.
T. as Franco or England. Wo should be ha,
= perod by no mora poualtias OR ind'gnitics
Q doing 1t than sro the other great nations
, friendly relations with Spain. The troub
j. Is that Spain looks upon the United Stnt
y Government IS awaiting an opportunity
. snatch Cuba from It; mud this lnisapprehe
l. sion of the situation has betrayed 1t into &C