Year: 1876

The Cuban Question as Third Term Issue


from the N. Y. SUM-


There can be no doubt that our Wash
ington correspondent, who yesterday
explained the attitude Of President
Grant toward the Cuban question with
such remarkable lucidity was correct
in saying that Grant intends at an early
day to bring out the idea Of armed in
terventiOn In Culm as one Of the issues
on which he intends to run next year
for third time us candidate for Pres
ident.


The anti Catholic movement is clearly
established in the message as the fun
damental and most important idea Of
the third term programme, and nextAo
this in Importance Is the idea Of inter-
vention in Cuba. Let us see what the
message says about this subject:


'"The protracted continuance OF this
strife seriously affects the interests of
all commercial nations, but those of the
United States more than others, by rea-
son of close proximity, its larger trade
and intercourse with Cuba, and the fire.
quent and intimate personal and social
relations which have grown up between
its citizens and those OF the island.
Moreover, the property OF our citizens
i'm Cuba Is large, and is rendered inse-
cure and deprecated in value and in
capacity OF production by the continu.
ance OF the strife and the unnatural
mode OF its conduct. The same is true,
differing only in degree, with respect to
the interests and property of other ma
tions; and the absence Of any reason
able assurance OF q near termination of
the conflict must Of necessity soon com
pei the States thus suffering to consider
what the interests of their own people
and their duty toward themselves may
demand"


Applying to the existing condition
of affairs i'm Cuba the tests recognized
by publicists and writer's on interna-
tional law which have been observed by
nations Of dignity, honesty and power,
when free from sensitive, or selfish and
motives, l fail to find in the
insurrection the existence Of such a
substantial political organization, real,
and manifest to the world,
having the forms and capable of the or
dinary functions of government toward
its own people and to other States, with
courts for the administration Of justice,
and local habitation possessing such
organization of force, such material,
such occupation OF territory, as to take
the contest out Of the category OF a
mere rebellious inSurrection."


The recognition OF independence or
of belligerency being thus, in my judg
ment, equally inadmissible, it remains
to consider what course shall be adopt
ed should the conflict not soon be
brought TO an end by the acts of the
parties themselves, and should the
evils which result therefrom affecting
all nations, and particularly the United
States, continue. In such an event, !
am of the opinion that other nations
will be compelled to assume the re-
and to seriously consider the only re-
naming measures possible mediation
and intervention


'Persuaded, however, that a proper
regard for the interest of the United
States and of its citizens entitled to re-
lief from the strain to which 1t has been
subjected by the difficulties OF the ques-
ton, and the wrongs and losses which
arise from the contest in Cuba, and that
the interests OF humanity itself demand
the cessation Of the strife before the
whole Island shall be laid waste and
larger sacrifices of life be made, shall
feel it my duty, should my hopes of a
satisfactory adjustment and OF the early
restoration of peace and the removal OF
future causes OF complaint be unhap-
ply w iiSNO & Aui piAOl
to Congress at some
period not far remote, and during the
present session, recommending what
may then seem to me to be necessary"


Here is tho programme, very careful
in its language, but short, sharp, and
decisive. The time also approaches for
it's execution. The recent circular sent
out from Washington. to the European
powers, asking an expression Of their
views respecting the necessity of put
ting an end to the civil war in Cuba, is
only step preparatory to the realiza-
ton Of this idea Of President Grants.
The next step will, OF course, consist in
that other communication to Congress
promised In the message.


Taken In connection with President
Grants Catholic movement and
his plan for annexing the northwestern
portion of Mexico, this scheme of inter-
vention in Cuba may be taken as form
ing such q peculiar confederation OF
circumstances as would render it proper
for him to run as candidate for Presi-
dent next year, according to his famous
letter TO Mr. White, of Pennsylvania,
respecting the nomination for the third
term.