The anti-monopolist., 1875-12-16
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

The journal des Debats, a leading
paper OF Paris, hitherto friendly to the
Unttd States, charges that Grants
course on the Cuban question, is part OF
u sinister plot to perpetuate his power.
"The days of the actual Presidency" says
the Debats of Nov. 5, S'are numbered. While
seeming to bend to the unanimous sentiment
Of the American people against third term,
President Grant took great care to have 1t un-
der.too that he would not decline the honor
if the good OF the country should exact the
sacrifice Of him. Ii we are to suppose that he
cherishes ambitious views, is 1t not Clear that
he has some interest in inducing his fellow
citizens to believe the United States OH the eve
of a war, in which case it might be useful to
have am experienced soldier in the White
House, who has already done so much to save
the Union? This would at least be a plausible
explanation Of the warlike memorandum, full
| light concerning which we have right to ex-
pect OF the American press"
Now we will not 60 so far as the
Journal des Debats, but we think Grants
! utterances in his last message on the
Cuban question, are characterized by
his usual shrewdness and adroitness.
They seem to be on all sides of the ques-
ton; they lead you up towards an evil
dent conclusion, and then they slip out
into an impotent deduction. But if we
can make anything out OF them that is
definite and positive, it is contained in
the following paragraph:
| Persuaded, however, that proper regard
for the interests OF the United States and its
citizens entities it to freedom from the strain to
which it has been subjected by the difficulties
of the questions and losses which arise from the
| ~. AIrA ,,xAar, Is H.,
nanity itself demands the cessation Of strife
before the whole island shall be laid waste ana
large sacrifices Of life be made. | shall feel it
my duty, should my hopes of a satisfactory
adjustment and of an early restoration OF peace
and the removal of future causes of complaint
he unhappily disappointed, to make further
communication to Congress at some period not
far remote, and during the present session
recommending what may then seem to me te
be necessary.
Which, being interpreted into COM
mon speech. means, that ii the rebellion
doesn't end within the next six months,
(the probable duration OF the presen
session of Congress- and nobody cx
poets that after having endured for sever
Years it will terminate so abruptly, the
Pre- sidept will send another message to
Congress recommending ''what is neces
sary" to end the strife, which can only
mean intervention or recognition OF tn,
belligerants.
Our sympathies are all on the side O.
the rebes; they are fighting for liberty
and the right of lf-government agains
u debased and demoralsed home gov
Iernment; but we wonld be sorry to Sc,
their struggle used by Grant AS an ex
cuse to precipitate that emergency" re
ferred to in his letter to the Republican
State Convention, wherein it might be
come necessary to continue him in offic
, for II third term. 1T Grant can create
, religious ianaticism at home and a wa
abroad. he may divert public attentio
from the dangers involved in departin
from the precedents and traditions OF th
Republic.
We may do Grant injustice we hop
D we do; but we cannot resist the col
vic,ion that he does not propose to r,
tire TO private lite, if by any arts {
any efforts he can keep possession OF tn
{ White House.