The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-11-24


irsndship'ihe foreign policy OF the democratic party
has been in every way and every OCCASION worthy
the and honor Of this great, hgh-minded, and
pussant people.
II viii be from the instructions OF Secretary Blu
ehanan 10 our minister at Madrid that the cabinet Of
President Polk sincerely anxious for the acqasi-
lion OF Cuba. and from the dispatches OF the minister it
will be seen that efforts made to effect It's
purchase. These efforts were unavailing but their mis-
carriage is not attributable 10 unskilfal or uniah
fal diplomacy. 1t is evident that Mr. Saunders min
ser. accomplished all that could be accomplished under
The circumstances An untowsrd temper in the public
mind OF Spain thwarted his endeavors.
The country will, perhaps be curious to know at what
time and with whom originated the suggestion of the
policy of the annexation OF Cuba. The document be-
fore will answer that inquiry. The suggestion orig-
mated 10 1929 and owes It's paternity to John Quinry
Adams Secretary of State in the administration OF Pres
dent Monroe In an elaborate and mastery paper, dated
the 2sth OF April 1898. and imbodying the instructions
Of the government to the American minister at the court
OF SPAIN Mr. Adams yentured 10 the following Ian.
guage:
"But the islands Of Cuba and Porto Rico still remain
nominay and far really, dependent upon her. that she
yet possesses the power Of transferring her own dominion
them together with the possession Of them TO others
These islands, from their local position and natural APP
pendages to the North American continent and one Of
them, Cuba almost In sight OF Shores from multitude
Of considerations has become object of uanscendant
Importance the commercial and political interests OF our
Union Its commanding position. with reference to the
Gulf OF Mexico and the West India the character OF
its population its situation midway between southern
and the island of ST. Domingo its safe and capacous
harbor of the Havana fronting long line of shores
destitute Of the advantage the nature Of its produce
and Of its wants, furnishing the supplies and needing
the returns OF commerce immensely profitable and mu,u
ally benecia-gve 1t an importance in the sum OF our
onal interests with which that OF other foreign terrific
y be compared, and little inferior that which binds
the different members of this Union together. Such,
deed are bstOse the interests of that island and of this
country, the geographical commercial moral and political
reiations formed by Nature, gathering The Of time,
aud pegng to maturity that looking foroayd
to the probable course Of spsnts for the short period half
century, IL is scarcely possible TO resist the that The
Of Cuba federal republic H be iwdispena-
BE 10 the continuance AND Integrity Of the Uniom itself"
Thus was Mr.. Buchanan's proposition for the purchase
Of Cuba but in pursuance Of policy incalcated quarter
OF century before by President Monroes Secretary OF
State
All the papers the document under review have rea
ton either TO and negotiations, the part Of this
country, contemplating the acquisition of Cuba for itself
the prevention OF its acquisition by any other nation
These papers OF exceeding interest and Importance
and will doubtless arrest the attention, not Of this
try only but Of Spain and the chief powers OF Europe
1t strikes that their publication al this uncure should
have been permitted by the President The call for
their publication made upon the usual condition OF
compatibility with the public interests and hard
ly conceive that any wenformed person fail TO
gard them but extremely pejudcal TO the public in
teess Their tendency is TO embarrass already
pcaied and enangled relations with Spain, and to throw
obstacles in the way of peaceful adjustment of the
difficulties between that power and the government OF
the United States 1t is consolation. however, 10
know that they represent the foreign policy and diploma.
cy OF the democratic party in light which will put an
end 10 the and goundess Of
the wing press, and command the appreciation and adj
miration OF the country.