Year: 1869




Nicholas Hotel.


The Question of Cuban Recognition ut the


State Department.


According to the Washington correspond
ents Mr.. Secretary Fish has been ventilating
little the question of recognizing the bellige-
rent rights of the Cubans. He was brought
out, it seems by the report that the British
government contemplated such recognition as
a good stroke of policy for the purpose Of
establishing British influence and promoting
commerce with Cuba, and in a measure to
head off the United States there. Mr.. Fish
has no information to confirm such report
and thinks such action on the part of England
not at all probable. Our government, it is
said-that is Mr.. Fish, we suppose-believes
that the British government would not be
likely to take any step that would bring it into
collision with Spain or any other European
Power while the Alabama claims remain sus-
pended over it. Then, it is said, so far from
dreading the recognition of Cuban belligerent
rights by England he would regard it as
favorable circumstance, and calculated to lead
to the early acquisition Of Cuba by this
country and the injury to British commerce.


We take it for granted that these are the
views of our Secretary of State, for they are
characteristic and crude enough. We agree
with him, and think it not likely that the
British government is contemplating at pres
ent the recognition of Cuban belligerency, but
not for the reasons he assigns. England is
not afraid Of war with Spain or any other
| European Power for such action. There is not
the least reason to fear Spain is not in a
condition to go to war and would not make
that cause of war. Nor would any other
European Power trouble itself to maintain
the authority of Spain over Cuba or interfere
in the least in the matter. A war with Spain
seems to be the bugbear in Mr.. Fishs mind.
He has not the least comprehension of the
situation or limited power of Spain nor of the
Cuban question in an international point of
view. Though respectable gentleman he is
timid old fogy and utterly unfit for Sec
retary Of State of this mighty republic.
Though, speaking of Spain going to war with
England should the belligerent rights of Cuba
be recognized by the latter, he evidently had
in his timid mind the silly apprehension of
such an event with this country should our
government take the step first. Such pue-
rilhy, timidity and want of comprehension in
our Secretary Of State are enough to make
every American indignant and blush for shame
for the humiliating position his country Is
placed in.


If even England were disposed to take the
first step in recognizing the Cubans as bellige-
rents there is no reason, as Mr.. Fish justly
says, to dread that. Indeed, we ought to look
at it favorably Nor do we think 1t would pre-
vent the acquisition of Cuba by the United
States hereafter for that is written down in the
book of manifest destiny. But England might
gain great advantages both to her commerce
and prestige in Cuba and throughout the An
| TILES, and in that point of view the British
government is quite capable Of comprehending
its interests and acting upon them should no
higher political considerations deter it from
such action. England will never act from sym-
pathy with the cruelty oppressed and struggling
| patriots OF Cuba; but she might, from self
interest, should she see her way clear to head
| off the United States and to weaken our inau-
ence over the Cubans and throughout the An
| titles. As reproach TO our timid and weak
| government we could almost wish that England
would take the lead in recognizing the Cubans
as belligerents. We could wish this were Il
not for the shame and damaging effect il would
bring upon our country. Let us talk no more
OF the Monroe doctrine of sympathy with any


brave people struggling for their independence,
Of an American system Of policy for the Ameri-
can Continent, or of the power and dominating
grandeur Of our great republic, If we do moi
promptly accord TO the Cubans belligerent
rights. There never was a worse and more
cruel despotism than that Of Spain over a peo.
pie who are our neighbors, whose interests are
closely united with ours, and who have no tie.
or sympathy with their rulers or the old Euro.
pean world; yet we hesitate to accord thu
boon of belligerent rights TO them. The world
will treat MS with contempt for our weakness,
and stupidity; for we fail In magnanimity, In
comprehending our own interests and in per
ceiving when the hour Of destiny points sc
plainly to the opportunity and necessity fol
action. Would to heaven that we had at thi
particular time an American statesman like
Bismarck or Napoleon at the helm Of affairs


Then Cuba would soon be free and the founda
I 4 I-.I