New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-19
THE END OF THE CUBAN FRIGHT.

Ine beginning VI tliIS CuodH bchoaVioh, e'''
there was nothing critical in our relations with
Spain, and no nearer prospect OF war at this
time than there always must be while cause
of irritation lies close at hand and there are
selfish and dishonest men at the seat OF Gov
eminent striving to make the worst OF it, is
justified by the latest news from Washington
The absurd report that Minister Cushing had
put his old letter of instructions into the form
Of diplomatic note and presented it to King
Alfonso as Gen. Grants ultimatum is
fatty cOntradicted and the subject OF the
correspondence at Madrid is announced TO be
exactly what we said it was, the better pro-
lection of American citizens in Cuba. With
the disappearance of the fundamental fiction
of the so-called American note vanishes also
the story Of tremendous preparations in the
navy and concentration of ships in the home
waters. Orders had indeed been given, out of
abundant caution, and perhaps with some Ill
terror view to a harmless moral demonstration,
to get few vessels into condition for what
ever service might be required of them; but
these orders have been countermanded, and 1T
is to be presumed that the American navy
will now go on rotting without further modest
alton.
Meanwhile it is. satisfactory to learn that Mr..
Cushngs friendly correspondence with the
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs has led 10
a pleasant result. American citizens in Cuba
are to have some chance of fair treatment if
they fall into the hands of a court martial
and some prospect of redress if their property
is uniustly taken from them. We have serious
cause of complaint against Spain for the man
ner in which our citizens have been treated by
the military authorities of the island, and no
Government with a spark of self-respect could
help insisting upon remedy for such
elaring wrongs. The demand, however,
seems to have been made by our
Secretary of State with characteristic prudence,
sagacity and courtesy, with discrimination
to exact our just dues, but patriotic desire
to avoid rupture. The fortunate result will
increase the debt which the country already
owes Mr.. Fish, and rebound to the credit Of
the President likewise.
The real danger of trouble with Spain lies
not so much in any evil disposition of the
Spaniards as III the Vaccinations of two sets
of mischevous spectators at home, who have
everything to gain by n war, whatever
may be its result. These are first
the holders of Cuban bonds, which
command some sort of a price-be tho same
more or less-whenever the United States
recognizes the Republic of Cuba. The princ-
pal holders of this sort Of paper ere well
known. They are not the men to glow with
enthusiasm for an oppressed people, especially
to the extent of lending money, but they have
keen scent for underhand financial opera
tions and are not above taking load OF
doubtful bonds for services in the lobby and
the departments. They have intimate rela-
tions with the White House. They
boast in Washington barrO0ms OF their
confidential intercourse with the Pres
ident. If they tell the truth, they
know beforehand just what the Message
will contain. They seem to have unlimited
control of the semi-Oficial press of the capital,
and have no difficulty in making a politicO-
financial demonstration whenever an approach
ing session Of Congress or spasm Of activity
in the State Department opens for them
favorable opportunity. Disreputable edyen-
turers as they are, the country has but too
much reason to believe that they are danger
GUS men. With them now seems to be allied
another Ring whose objects are political.
There are people foolish enough to believe
that armed interference in the cause OF Cuba
can be made popular, and that in the excitement
of martial fervor, with drums beating and
the blOOd-1ed blossom Of war flaming along
our coasts, the present Administration can be
imposed upon the nation for another term.
The suiierings of Cuba, the wrongs of Ameri-
can citizens the wants of trade, emancipation
national honor military glory, are nothing TO
them but fne-sOunding words, bait for
sudgeons. war with Spain means nothing
to them but more District Rings, more South
ern satrapies, more fat contracts, more debt
and paper money, and an indefinite prolonga
ton of the political saturnalia Of venalty, ex-
travagance, and yulgarity, at which the whole
world points in sc0in. And for that they are
ready to sacrifice thousands of lives and bring
upon US all the countless mseries of war.
The unanimity, however, with which the
people slrunk from tho idea of hostilities
when the sensational rumors of few days
ago were for moment believed and the
heartiness with which they will now thank
the President for pushing aside his rascally
friends and adopting a line of conduct so hon
orable to the country ought to convince these
fomenters OF discOrd and friends Of havoc that
their labor is thrown away. This generation
wishes 70 see no more battles, and will not
readily forgive those who conspire to bring