Year: 1869

have evinced after disastrous money panics In
former years, that it is not likely that even the
Gold Friday of 1869 will have seriously
checked the rushing stream of wealth, luxury
and fashion on which American society is
gayly sailing, with ''youth at the helm and
pleasure at th PROV"


Cuban Naval observation-disclosures Ahead.


Those who console themselves with the idea
that the Cuban rebellion is on its last legs and
is just now on the point of falling through, will
find but small measure of consolation in the
news which was published in yesterdays
HERALD relative to the sailing of armed expe-
ditions for the Sever Faithful Isle." According
to the report alluded to, which was received
from a reliable source, over two thousand men,
ten thousand rifles, FIVE hundred sabres, twenty
pieces Of artillery, and large quantity Of
small arms and ammunition have by this time,
if nothing unforeseen occurred, been landed
on the Cuban coast And not alone on land
are the Cubans now prepared to fight for that
independence which has been denied them by
Spain, but on the high seas, through their
privateers, the Lillian, the Teaser, and the
Cuba (formerly the Hornet), we may shortly
expect to hear of Spanish commerce being
crippled and transports intercepted in the
same manner in which Semmes, Of Alabama
notoriety, swept the seas and rendered his
name terror to American merchantmen dur
ing the existence of the late Southern rebel
lion.


That the late expeditions for Cuba have
been well planned and ably carried out is evi-
dent. 1t is also strange fact that the Cuban
privateer Hornet should have put to sea
from an English port; and it is not a little re-
markable that the astuteness of Marshal Bar
low was somewhat at fault when he seized the
Euterpe at her dock, laden with arms, believing
her to be intended to aid the Cubans whereas
she was employed to carry munitions Of war to
be used against them. In reality he seized a
Spanish vessel, thinking she was intended for
the Cubans, and that he is extremely sorry for
SO doing there is not the slightest reason to
doubt. Let the friends Of the Spanish cause,
however, take comfort in the reflection that,
all things considered it was the best thing
that could have happened for had the Euterpe
put to sea with her cargo of war materiel
she would in all probability have been ''gob-
bled up" by the privateer Hornet, which was
off Sandy Hook awaiting her.


It should also be remembered that the men
and arms that have been recently sent to the
seat of war are not the only auxiliaries which
the Cubans will have to aid them within the
next few months Now that the sickly season
40 ovu. Gnu no,o prospects or an active
campaign near, volunteering from this coun-
try will receive additional stimulus. Men Of
adventure will not be found lacking in America
to join the standard of the patriots. If Spain
can send over reinforcements she had better
hurry them on if they are intended for opera
than Captain General De Rodas, and hence his
anxiety for immediate further aid. The news
of the expeditions, which no doubt by this
time has reached him, will cause him no little
surprise. Volunteering, we are told, is very
brisk all along the Gulf coast, and that already
five thousand men are awaiting transportation.
The number may be exaggerated, but even
half the number of men enumerated, together
with those already forwarded, properly armed,
equipped and thrown into the Eastern Depart
ment, would give Valmaseda's command all it
could attend to.


In view of coming events it is unaccountable
that Spain does not see the hopelessness of her
struggle in trying to retain Cuba. For almost
year has the rebellion continued, and the
rebels held their own. Almost without arms,
and undisciplined and untried as they were
in the art of war, they have successfully in
many instances combated the well drilled,
admirably disciplined and thoroughly armed
soldiers of Spain. Spanish soldiers, too, are
brave and good fighters; still, the Cubans have
manfully stood up against great odds, and
to-day are hopeful and believe in the ultimate
success of their cause. Let Spain, therefore,
sell out-dispose of the island at the best
terms. She wants money. 1t is not yet too
late to obtain supply by making advanta-
geous terms with the Cubans. Every day that
passes is so much off the price. To-day she
might obtain millions; tomorrow, perhaps,
nothing.