Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-29
4 he offer of Mr. Polk's Administra-
ton to Purchase Curass.

tAOA ~ II Ak1 CAAASG SADx&s
Under this head there lately appeared in the
Washington Union, powerfully written Edito-
rial article, in reply to some twaddle of the Re-
public, the special organ of the expiring dynasty.
We regret that we have not room for the article
entire Its exposures of the blunders of the pres
ent administration, especially in the matter of
publishing to the world documents which should
are pointed, just and withering We lay before
our readers, however, the conclusion of the Union
article, and invite special attention to its state
ments.
"We now come to the assault made upon the de-
spatch of Mr.. Secretary Buchanan to Mr.. Saund-
ers 1t is no part of our purpose 70 defend this
great document. 1t needs no defence. But we
make use of this occasion to spread before the
country briet summary of the circumstances un-
der which that despatch was written, and the ex-
igency which then existed. The letters publish
ed by the Executive-now that they have been
made public and the mischief done-should be
turned to proftible account as possible, and we
therefore commend them, with the records of CO.
temparaneous events in the Old World to the
careful study of the people of the United States.
The documents show that Mr.. Buchanan's offer to
ever conceived in the mind of a public man, and
that it adds another to the radient glories that
cluster about the group of eminent statesmen that
formed the administration of Mr.. Polk.
Cuba, from her geographical position, was
ever an object of deep interest and transcendant
Importance to the United States. She stands
right before the gateway to the vast valley of the
Mississippi, to the people and commerce of which
she can be made invaluable friend or a most
destructive foe. Thirty years ago the attention
of our government was fixed upon this advantage
of position, and from that time down to the year
| 1847, had been with our statesmen subject of
anxious and incessant care and watchfulness.
All the world was aware of the matchless posi-
lion of Cuba, and two at least of the great mari
time powers had been constantly plotting to get
hold of it. England especially was eager to pos
it: for it afforded the only ground from which
the increasing power and overshadowing great
ness of the America n nation could be checked
Unfortunately, the intestine disorders, weakness,
and constant pecuniary embarrassments of the
Spanish monarchy, during the period to which we
refer, extended many opportunities to England
for the accomplishment Of her long cherished de-
sign. She was not unmindful of them, for upon
at least three occasions she upon the point of
graspng the tempting prize. From the year
1920 down to l847 the rumors to this effect
were incessant. They came from all quarters
| from London and Havana as well as from Madrid.
Our government was kept in continual anxiety
and alarm. Though the United States were con-
! tent that Cuba should remain connected with
constitutional Spain, they had made known to the
world that any transfer of the Island on any pre-
text, to great maritime power, would be resisted
by all the means within their power. The gov
eminent was thus constantly agitated, and the
country forever on the brink of war. So it con-
tinues down to period shortly anterior to the
date of the despatch to Mr.. Saunders.
At this juncture new exigency arose, more
threatening and more full of peril than any that
had yet occurred. SIR Henry Bulwer had been
dismissed in disfavor from Spain. The British
holders of Spanish bonds, with but little hope Of
ever getting either interest principle, were ex
asperated to the highest pitch. The existing
British ministry was in danger of overwhelm-
ing defeat; and Lord Palmerston, knowing that
any subject operating against American interest,
furnished keynote wherewith to rally the scat
tered forces of the government, seized upon this
for his present purposes, and had declared in his
place in Parliament that Great Britain might be
called upon to take possession of Cuba to indem-
nifty her defrauded citizens. At the close of this
Parliament an election was held for new ones
and this very question was the most exciting ele-
ment introduced into the canvass. Lord George
Bentinck, exciting the cupidity and influencing
the passions of the British voters, called upon
them, in the most emphatic terms, to demand the
seizure of Cuba by the government of England.
Such was the state of affairs in the summer of
l547. 1t was in this exigent moment that Mr..
Buchanan conceived the purpose of putting an
end to these constant alarms-the danger of a
continually impending war; and all the perils that
surrounded the American government, growing
out of the question-by his proposition for
peaceful and honorable purchase Cuba.
If there is upon the records of our diplomacy
measure that surpasses it in wisdom; or as
master-stroke of policy, it will be favor to have
it pointed out 1t is true that the negotiation did
not at the moment succeed; but that it would have
succeeded, had the government ofthe United States
continued four years more under Democratic aus
pces, we believe to be past all doubt.
AS has been already said, we have not gone into
defence of Mr.. Buchanan's despatch, as itneeds
none. He must ever feel gratifed with the tone
and character of that document He says in it:
Desirable, however, as the possession of this is
land may be to the United States we would n %
acquire it exceptb by the free will of Spain. Any
acquisition not sanctioned by justice and honor
would be too dearly purchased" These brief