Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-03-08
The o.send Conference.


The full report of the Ostend Conference
has been published, together with the CORES
pondence connected with it. The correspon-
deace consists of letters from Secretary Mar
<cy to Mr. Soule and Mr.. Buchanan. Those
letters, and the resolutions agreed to by the
American Ministers who met at Ostend, show
that the acquisition of Cuba, either by fair or
BY foul means, has been the leading idea of
Mr.. Marcy's foreign policy. Mr.. Soule was
comparatively slow horse in the matter, and
he was often prickel by the spur of Mr.. Mar
cys impotence, to go ahead. Mr.. Marcy, as
the representative of the Kitchen Cabinet, ev-
identity wished to have Cuba. He wished to
have it any way. BY purchase, if he could
induce the naughty hilalgoes of Spain to
mortify their pride and come down to the
business of trading, and by war, if no other
means would avail. 1t is not difficult to
make war, upon the principle suggested by
Nj. Marcy. The bullies of all ages have
supported their acts by the same sort of logic,
and have Aattered their eouseiences with the
same sort of morality. 1t is the old story of
the wolf and the lamb. Mr.. Marcy was of
opinion that Cuba, unless annexed TO the
United States, would unloosen the screws of
"our glorious Union and dim the lustre Of
our republican institutions. Under such q
state of possibilities, Mr.. Marcy thinks that
we would be justified in knocking down
Spanish authority in Cuba, trundhng its car
cass into the Gull of Mexico. and taking the
Queen of the Antilles in the name of
"Uncle Sam" Mr.. Marcy's scheme was a
magnifcently mean one, and might have sue
ceeded, if that marplot, Douglas, had not
hamstrung it with his two.edged sword, the
Nebraska bill.
In letter to Mr.. Soule. dated July Esd.
1858, Mr.. Marcy dwells upon the value
of Cuha, is doubtful whether Spain would
consent to sell it, and expresses wish that she
may be brought to see that she cannot long
hold that island, and had therefore, better
maket it independent.
In a letter TO Mr.. Buchanan on the End Of
July 1853 NJ. Marcy complains of the course
pursued by Great Britain. in keeping large
fleets off the coast of Cuba to watch US. He
breaches the doctrine that the United States
have as good rlghtto help oppressed peoples,
as any other government has to help tyrants.
He declars that 1--WE viii not quietly submit
to the importation of free Africans into Cuba,
with the intention of rendering that island
useless to us, when Spain finds she can no
longer hold it, And he intimates that France
and Britain must be made aware Of our de-
termination to that effect.
On the 18th Of March, 1854, Mr.. Marcy
writes again 70 Mr.. Soule. He Indignantly
recounts the Black Warrior affair, and orders
our Minister at Madrid to demand redress
On the 18th Of the same month, Nj. Marcy
writes another dispatch to Mr.. Soule. order
os the Black warrior.. ms dssn,ass-aAzneEs
-, .ss,nss oF discussion. Spain was either 70
icers, or she was to stand the consequences of |
her refusal On the 3rd of April, 1854,
Mr.. Marcy is in less belliscose humor than
formerly, and comes back to the position sug
gested by him in July, 1853. He wants to
buy the island, because he is afraid of the
to free the slaves. If Spain, how
ever, would only consent to make Cuba indie.
pendent, the United States would aid Spain
in plotting to do 20. Annexation would be
very easy after that, you know. Mr.. Marcy
is a deep one.
Well, in accordance with Mr.. Marcy's
suggestion. Soule, Buchanan, and Mason
met at Ostend, and drew up series of
resolutions, in which they declare, that we
ought to purchase Cuba without delay. The
ministers expected no dificultyin making the
purchase, except what might occur from the
malign influences OF foreign powers which
But this diplomatic harelequinade has not
terminated as the Cabinet anticipated The
Cuban scheme has been blown to the winds;
and all those who are engaged in it have been
blown up with it. Soule is recalled in dis
grace azs1 l.e is indignant at Marcy. Marcy |
knows that he thrust Soule into the ugly po-
sition which he occupied at Madrid; but, he
borrows comfort to himself by imputing the |
failure of his plans to SouIe's temper alone |
These individuals may settle their own pri-
yate quarrels among themselves; we take |
comfort in the confident hope that the flibus.
tiers have now, no chance of uniting Cuba, /
with its biggoted Catholic and Slave popula-
ton to the United States.