Year: 1875

We doubt whether the reception which the
greater part OF the press has given to the
portions of the message devoted to Cuban
affairs is exactly what the President expected.
The general verdict is that Grant has pre-
sented unanswerable reasons why we should
let Cuba alone. He has shown that we have
no excuse for recognizing the independence or
belhgerence of the insurgents, and that to do
either would involve us in useless comphca-
tions and serious dangers. And so most of
the Administration papers, and many Demo-
cratic and Independent journals with them.
Jump to tho conclusion that all danger
of trouble with Spain is over, and
applaud tho Presidents moderation. is
it certain that applause for his mod
Grafton. or cOngratulatiOn upon preserving
peaceful relations with Madrid, is what the
President wants7 We must assume that III an
important State paper like this he does not
use words without weighing their meaning
and considering what effect they are likely to
have both abroad ana ut home. And when he
threatens Intervention in certain contingency,
he must wish it to be understood that he ia
prepared to fight


The President says, in the most direct and
positive manner. that should the conflict not
" soon be brought to an end by the acts OF the
"parties themselves, other nations Will
"bc compelled to assume the response
"bility which devOlyes upon them, and
"to seriously consider the only remain
cling measures possible-medation and inter
"vention.n lie takes pains to assure us that
the parties themselves "seem incapable
"of reaching any adjustment and that he


- tl,n of ot
either by mediation or intervention" incvlta-
ble. We have already offered friendly media
ton, and it has been refused. Nothing re-
mains therefore except armed intervention,
and the message gives plain notice That the
solution whatever it may be, will not be post
poned beyond the present session OF Congress
We are indeed told that the Government OF
Spain has submitted to Mr. Gushing "cer-
tain proposals which it is hoped may be
"found to be the basis, if not the actual
submission, Of terms to meet the re-
"ouirements of the particular griefs OF which
q" this Government has felt itself entitled to
"complain.n But in more than one paragraph
Gen. Grant shows that he has little expecta-
ton of an adjustment by this means. He re-
pcatedly asserts that he demands not only the
redress of specific injuries, but the cessation
of hostilities; and though he speaks of his
.'hopcs of an early restoration of peace" in
the conclusion of this part of his message, lie
has already said over and over again that
there is no apparent prospect OF such deslr-
able result


Supposc. then, that the pending negotiations
of Mr.. Cushing do not put an end to the war
Are tie people of the United States prepared
TO interfere and separate the combatants by
forcef There is only one way of doing that,
in case like the present, and that way is to
recognize the republic which the President
tells us is not entitled to recognition, and to
take it under our armed protection. The sat
isfaction with which the public has embraced
the idea that there is no danger of any such
thing ought to satisfy the President that the
people are not with him. What effect will be
produced in Spain we are curious to see; and
perhaps that is just now the most important
blauch Of the question.