The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-04-07
OUR CUBAN POLICY DURING THIRTY YEARS.


In every issue which has arisen in government
the acquisition o. territory the policy has been vehemeny
opposed apd denounced by class Of journalists and poll
tcians who power in the formation Of public
sentiment in Europe than in the United States The con-
sequence been that whilst the popular judgment
country has sanctioned eectuatsd many extensive and
valuable additions territory the Impression has been
made on the European mind tina, passion FOR land is
restrained by scrnpes the morality Legality Of
the means adopted for its qualification For the preva-
ence OF this grossly and unjust sentiment
abroad we are indebted the misrepresentation of the
class Of Journals which seeking present de-
the annexation Of Cubs upon the charge that the policy
which vors its acquisition is dictated by unscrupu-
ous passion for territorial expansion One Of the most
triumphant indications Of national character against
this injurious European impression made is naned
In Mr. Marcys letter OF instructions Mr. Buchanan,
our minister Great Britain. is short concise dgni
fed and orcble the time there is vein Of
in il which is biting in the extreme We reproduce
it. peculiarly applicable the existing state Of things
The fact cannot be disguised that both England and
suspect the United States Of design to detaeh from
Spain island of Cuba, and appropriate themselves
without regard the rights Of Spain respect for the law
of nations Their simultaneous that occasion
unquesonable evidence that they then INDUCED that be-
II u
nation justify such unworthy suspicious. 1t is true
the last half century greatly enlarged terrific
res and have Great France enlarged theirs
have done it in mannf that may proudly challenge
the rigid scrutiny Of mankind In territorial
panson law has been observed the rights Of
Others vigorously respeced nothing in Short has been
done justify the slightest suspicion Of rapacy The gov
Of the nited States not unwilling to submit its
whole public conduct in this indeed in all other respects
to the scrupuous examination. But had
haen rked by
land and France should reluctantly be accusers. We
90 further back than the British orders in
Gill; imperial DEGREES Of France show that have
been the victim broken the viola
tors law. We have subvered ancient govern
mcnts or feeble dynates possessions which
they have held for ages add domnions to orr own
acquisition have made has been obtained by
equivalent voluntarily accepted
There is a bold defiance OF scrutiny past
tonal policy in regard territorial acquisitions in the
foregoing remarks which shows with how much conscious
ness Of rect,ude Marcy throws down the gauntlet and
challenges England and France to comparison of the
questions Of honor and honest intention involved in
their respective acquisitions of territory This is cha-
enQe which neither England nor France any Of their
apologss and organs in this country will meet History
abounds in materials for the settlement such
knowledge of this fact and Of the character Of the
will always induce the Of national
/
Marcy Against the charge Of fllibuserism and Of an
INSCRIPTIONS propensity to add to our territory We can
confidently appeal to the pages Of political history and
upon the strength of the evidence there recorded
the charge national calumny.
But regard the annexation Of Cuba desire go
step further and to show that the charge applicable
to that subject especially false and uniounded II viii
fall in way, ALSO explode another impress
vocaies of Cuban annexation-we allude the impress
sion sought be made that the desire acquire Cuba
originates in spirit of pro-slavery propagandism.
The policy Of annexng Cuba has been subject Of
tiona and national discussion for than tr
y years During this whole period the great Importance
of the acquisition has been felt and declared by the lead
ing statesmen Of both parties nler every administration
from Mr. Monroe to the present time Mr. Forsyth min
lister Madrid 10 1922 Mr. Adams, Secretary of State
in 1923; Mr. Cisy as Secretary of State in 1926; Mr. A.
H. Everett minister to Spain in 1926 Mr.. Van Buren,
as Secretary State 1920 Mr. Stevenson as minister
to England in 1887 Mr. Webster Secretary State
ls43; Mr. Irving as minister TO Spain in ls43; Mr. Up
shur Secretary of State in 1874 Mr. Buchanan Sec
rotary Of State in 1917 Mr. Sanders minister 10 Spain
in ls4S-el these leading and influential members Of
both parties and of all administrations lnot to emu
meraie thosf since iS9nl soncurreu rue sentiment
that the annexation of Cuba the United States was
Of vast moment, whether viewed in political moral
or commercial aspect For than thirty years there
be said rutbuly have been any division Of
opinion this subject The annexation Of Cuba has
made exception to the general rule Of territorial acqu-
ston by the most prominent and opponents ofha
policy When il Is known by every intelligent man that
during the last thirty years there has day when
our government could have made Cun own i she
had determined TO the power she possessed the in
quiry is pertinent Why has the annexation been
fected If nation OF hbusters-greedy for more
aud and indifferent whether get legally or illegally
how does happen that whilst have been acquiring
boundless domains in other quarters have not taken
Cuba which has been sl the time within our grasp2 We
would be glad this question answered by some
Of the foreign organs which charge that pro-
yokng unjust collision with Spain, pretext for
gratifying landstcaling propensity by seiing upon
Cuba
Before proceed give the real answer We prefer TO
turn to the record and show from the highest and NEST
dsnterested authority the grounds which this IN
broken sentiment in favor OF the acquisition Of Cuba ba
always rested Mr. John @ Adams IA the highest sa,hor,
~ because all know that bis political soeatons were
with the opponents Of the general doctrine Of territorial
acquisitions and that bis views to slavery would
dispose him 10 oppose the annexation sf Cuba We
then TO his record for the real grounds on which the