The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-10
THE ADMINISTRATION AND CUBA.

The publication Of the 0send documents likely
to revive the Cuban question absorbing issue before
the country TIE progressive spirit which breathes through
out the correspondence falls with irritating effect upon the
minds Of those houghtful people attached the old ways
who pride themselves their conservatism whilst those
who anything in the administration TO APP
prove seize the OCCASION eagerly to indulge in violent
sures The National Ltelgeace wakes up from its ethar
gle repos and repeats its usual homly upon the dangers
territorial expansion expresses its surprise that
cousiderate stad, and far-seeingo Mr. Marcy
should gve into this notion of going off into the islands
Of the ocean for territorial acquisition and winds up with
lis characteristic bias against its government by
pressing its fears that will be greatly damaged in the
eyes of the world by he arrogant meddling dcatoria
spirit which pervades the correspondence stewards the do
nestle affairs feeble friendly power The New York Her
aid exhibits its malgny in feeble and mpoteAt effort to
convict the administration of vacation and inconssen
cy whilst II seeks SOW dissension between Mr. Marcy
and Mr. Buchanan by the grossest Misrepresentation of
their respective positions and the motives which influence
their conduct The New York Courier and Enquirer in
dulges in bitter TRADE of personal attack upon the three
distinguished ministers who made the Osteud report and
vany labors TO conrover of their leading facts and
arguments the purpose showing that the doctrine
true IN principle nor sustanabe upon the fact that the ac
QUESTION of Cuba necessary for the safety Of Union
The New York Tribune puts forth lis accustomed column
of nndignfed abolition vtuperation with which il
sails the administration every question which arises
These several journals indicate the course which is be
pursued by the respective branches If the oppos-
ton which they represent and by the promptness
and violence with which they commences their attacks
they furnish the strongest proof of the Importance they
attach to the documents which they denounce They
foresee that the circulation and perusa of ch series of
powerful State papers, discussing with ability
surpassed questions which appeal the patriotic sympa
thes and national honor of the people, calculated
make deep impression the popular mind The adj
minstraton, however has nothing to regret to fear
from this combination of assailants. IL policy the
Cuba question adopted upon full deliberaon it has
been prosecuted with frmness and yigor and it now
spreads out its proceedings before the country chaeng
ing the seveest scrutiny, and deng the most relentless
magnty of its opponents 1t before the tribunal
of public sentiment with the fullest confidence in securing
judgment of cordial national approval.
Before proceeding certain facts the history
the Cuba question which deem it proper to adduce
at the present time show how faithfully the admnstr
ton has discharged its Duties withhold the
preston of qualification the attitude in which the
publication Of the diplomatic correspondence places the
Cuba question before the country The policy and the po
sition Of the administration fully developed With
that ankness and aressness which the evidences
consciousness of rectude and fidelity the President
has withdrawn from both the veil of diplomatic secrecy
and freely proclaimed every step be has taken his efforts
accomplish object which he regarded of vital i'm
portance to the country Whilst there was hope of sue
by the negotiations pending, he deemed pru
dent to follow the usual as to diplomatic secrecy
In the present condition of relations with Spain the
necessity for such longer exists and obed
ence that spirit of people which demands the
utmost publicity in official conduct and with a
full conviction that the public interests will be best
promoted in the future prosecution of his policy by an
outpoken and unreseved avowa of his purposes and OBJ
ect he submits his past proceedings the people and
cheerfully abdes their Judgment. The documents now
published show clearly the Of his convictions
the Importance of acquiring Cuba whilst they show
with equal disncness his infexble purpose accom-
pish this great object without sacrificing compromising
national honor and possible without disturbing the
peaceful relations between government and that of
Spain II is apparent upon the face of the correspondence
that the negotiations have proceeded upon the conviction
that inal permanent, and efectual adjustment of all
questions disagreement with that government
for the past and
the future could only be obtained by the Cuba
to United States With the hope Of attaining this para
object the correspondence shows that diploma
lists have forborne much in regard to subordinate ques
ons OF disagreement and complaint That the admins
raton represented faithfully the popular viii in making
the peaceful acquisition of Cuba paramount consdera-
in the negotiations with Spain will not be questioned
by any who correctly informed public sentiment
II the Ostend documents do not furnish conclusive evidence
that all the skill energy and power Of the executive branch
Of the have been exered in the effort to effect
the great object in view confess inability to
ceive what further proofs could be desired Whether the
result would have been fortunate IL the efforts of the
Executive had been efficiently seconded and sustained
by the action Of Congress, is grave question which we
need undertake to solve It may be hat either the
stnbornncss the pride Of Spain the influence of
other foreign rendered the peaceable acquis
ton Of Cuba inpracticabe and impossible thing from
the beginning We confess, however that whilst recent
events made this hypothesis plausible we should be
better satisfied of lis truth if these had occurred
with knowledge the part Of Spain that our Congress
had responded hyoraby TO the provisional measures
suggested By the President in March last and repeated
with emphasis in August afterwards
We have disposition TO cast upon either