North Carolina Standard

AN INDEPENDENT..

We clip, says the New Orleans Delta, the following extracts from the Cuban correspondence of the New York Herald, a journal well known to be favorable to the maintenance of Spanish dominion in the Island. Our readers will infer the true state of the Island from these avowals, reluctantly made by the very opponents of Cuban independence:

"By such timely concession to the Cuban creoles as will confer upon them some of the blessings enjoyed by the people of the United States, through such measures as will not loosen her own sovereignty over the island. The first of these blessings is liberty of commercial and social intercourse with the people of the United States. Other blessings will follow in its train; grow as limbs upon its vigorous trunk. The majority of the Cubans cannot be said to be at this day loyal, and their daily observation is fast engendering the desire for a more intimate commercial and social union, which is the blessing commercial social intercourse that commercial and free social union, which is the ted their judgments hearts, a political union will be the demand of their chagrin, a sense of the unjust withholding of concessions are withheld her property in the island, (but on the contrary vastly increasing it in the rapid growth in wealth and importance of the staple producers, and thence by the universally diffused commercial spirit, and makes the intimate alliance that cements all interests through the benefit of one that of its sisters, increasing the alliance with such as would violently sever from Spain, by prompt means, the sovereignty of the is- Property always timid this timidity erty seeks always to accumulate, and will not brook diminution. Let Spain listen, reflect and promptly act, and cease to adhere to the insane idea that the strong arm of military power can control the hearts of Cubans. In remaining deaf to the warnings thundered in her ears by the roar of the steam engine, and the cry of the oppressively taxed, tyranny-ridden and unrepresented Cubans, whose money goes to sustain systems of corrupted monopolies, into the pockets of vampires who care solely for their speculative profits, and gorge themselves thereon to return to Spain for their digestion; in remaining thus deaf, and refusing moderate and reasonable requests; in replying to them by the brutal avalanche of additional bodies of troops, with bayonets threateningly presented at the hearts of her subjects, and disturbing her peace, Spain is guilty of the same wrong for which I have and she has denounced the invading adventurers. She would crush the progress of peaceful reform—yea, strangle it in its birth, before it began to creep, by these violent means. Instead of being wronged, she places herself in the position of wronging her subjects. She drives them to that point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue. She, too, cannot violate a great law; but must fall into the ranks of progress, and harmonize with its action. Not by violence will she be permitted permanently to derange the order of its march. And why? Because the sinews of the military are withering. In August, 1850, the Cuban treasury contained one million of dollars. It now contains $80,000. In January, 1851, the receipts were $120- 000 less than in the month of January, 1850. Spain is in debt eight millions. Her budget demands twenty millions, which are not in her treasury, after towns have paid their contributions for two years in advance at the point of the bayonet. Why were the proclamations of the brave Lopez, whom Spanish soldiers believe the invincible bearer into battle of a charmed life, found posted up within the walls of the Havana garrisons? Why did the Governor of Matanzas resign, after his troops refused to march against Lopez? Why does a Spanish officer, who could pass in Spain twelve hours on horseback unfatigued, now shrink from the exertion and exposure to the sun of one hour? Why was it when the order was given, on leaving Havana, to the troops in the cars, Long life to the Queen,' no response met the ear, but a soldier's taking off his knapsack, with the ejaculation, I had rather be a pirate than wear this?' Why does Villanueva, the able Intendente, whose great wealth is invested out of the island, threaten to throw up his commission with the remark—when I cannot, who can?' These are significant facts; yes, significant questions, and I could answer them. The military arm alone will not secure the possession of Cuba to Spain. When in the course of the progress of ideas—and no government, nor any amount of troops and cannon can stay the aerial flight of immortal thought—when it shall come to be felt in the hearts of the masses of the possessors of the wealth of the Cubans, that the time has arrived when forbearance ceases to be a virtue, and that the majority are qualified for self-government, lo! her dominion will have passed away forever in this island. It behooves Spain to profit by the present opportunities, and revive expiring loyalty, if she would rivet the island gem to her own crown by the bond of mutual affection and interest, the only bond that endures, because it is the only one consistent with the spirit of eternal progress."