Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-03-14


Tho Ostend Conference.
The public have at last been enlightened IN
reference TO the character and objects of the mys-
,erious conference held by American Diploma
lists at Ostcnd, in October last. Some weeks a
90. Congress passed a resolution calling upon the
President for Information, aud the correspondence
relating to the affair has been published. 1t ap-
psors tha, the Conference had reference solely to
the acquisition of Cuha,
After various letters had passed between Mr..
Marcy and Mr.. Soue on the subject, the former
recommended, in dispatch of August lo'h'
1854 that Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and SouIe
should meet at some convenient point, Ito COM
pare opinions as to what may be advisable, ana
10 adopt measures for perfect concert ct action In
aid OF the negotiations at Madrid" Accordingly
the three Ministers met on the 10Th aud Iith OF
OCTOBER. at Ostend in Belgium, and subsequently
at AK La Chapelle in Prussia, aud after iu''
conference reparted their conclusions. In TINS
report they take the ground that the acquisition
of Cuba is highly important to the United States
tbs Island commanding the mouth OF the Mlssls-
sippi river, and that an Immediate and earnest
effort oupht to be made to purchase 1t from SPAIN
They argue that Spain ought not to reject the
present golden opportunity for developing her re-
sources, and removing her financial emoarrass-
men,s. Two thirds Of the sum paid Tor CUBA
would enable Spain to construct extensive lines
ofrailroad and with the remainder she could sat
isfy the demands now pressing so heavily upon
her credit. Cuba, they assert, is a dead weight
upon the hands of Spain, aud she Is. moreover,
every day in danger of losing it without receiving
any compensation. Every motive of seI-lnter-
est therefore, should dispose her to accede to the
proposition to sell. Should she, however, turn
deaf ear to the suggestion, and it be apparent that
sne is about to permit Cuba to be "Atrcan'zed
and become second St. Domingo" the United
States will have to decide the question whe,h-
er they shall take forcible possession OF the Is
land. The writers justify such a course by an
appeal to the great law of selEpreservaton,
which authorizes an individual TO tear down the
burning house of his neighbor to preserve his own
home from the flames. This document Is dated
AK La Chapelle, October 18th, 1854, and signed
hy James Buchanan, John Y Mason and Pierre
Soule.
MIR. Marcy's letter in reply to the JOINT des-
patch manifes,s some alarm at the views ex-
pressed by the three Ministers. he iakesground
AGAINST the opinions advanced by them, and d.
reefs MIR. Soule to retrace his steps and resume
negotiations upon the most peaceable basis. Mr.
Soulo was quite taken a-back by these insiruc-
tions. and to preserve his selfrespect Immediately
resigned his office.
This whole transaction is, to say the least oil
/, remarkable. Congress had refused the ''pro-
sisional measures" recommended by the fresl-
don't and thus dissented from the scheme unde'
consideration, when the Secretary of State Gale
the Conference together. The proceeding, tner
fore. was entirely unauthorized. II Is, moreover
a matter of surprise to find the names OF Ni'Ssrs
Buchanan and Mason, two staid and exPer ceo
tssmen, appended to such paper as the .Oin'
report. The ground too upon which the con'eni-
plated seizure Of Cuba is justified Necessity
the tyrant's plea"-is the same pretext oHered
for the PARTITION OF TOldlu, dS INC "iA'~iS WV
mark, and for every similar outrage ever perpe-
,ratsd. At the same time the scllctude ielt oy
our Ministers for the welfare of Spain IS quite
sfectiouate, and the proud Hldagos may there
fore excuse what would otherwise appear med
ding and impudent. Indeed they seem to view
the money to be paid for Csba as an aPProPra-
tion for internal improvements in Spain, In regard
to the advantages Of which that country is care
fully instructed.
Mr.. Soule, encouraged by the concurrence OIL
his colleagues, was doubtless prepared to return
TO Spain, and urge the sale of Cuba under the
penalty of having the possession wrested IRON
her by violence. MIR. Marcy was not ready t(
sanction this extreme course, and the Envoy
Extraordinary" has returned home with his cont
considerably cut.
urg,a of