The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-03-30
arHE osrRNn RACK QUIZ

Under this head the New Orleans Delta, a
jealous Administration paper, though affect
ing to be independent psrpetrates the fol-
lowing comments upon the course OF the i'd
r>iristration, in reference to the 0stend Con-
ference:
The whole story is now out The mystery
which so long enshrouded the Incompetent
sible and contradictory acts Of the Admins
tration is now explained, and the enorinity o.
the Ostend backout stands forth in all it,
bold and startling characters.
We have waded. with patience Of which
we quite confidently challenge like exam
pie in these days, through this most voumin
GUS correspondence, and regret to say. that
both in regard to ideas and conclusions, 1t ha!
been the most Improbable pursuit in which
we have ever been engaged. The only re
deemiBg feature in this correspondence is The
report OF our three Ministers, which is de
eided exposition of the acts and reasons why
Spain should sell Cuba. 1t is true, those rea
sons have been given, m some cases, almost
in the Language used by our Ministers in th'
columns of the Delta but our Ministers de
serve the credit of their lucid arrangement
ana much praise for their assumption o
them.
This manifesto was provoked by President
Pierce, who instructed our Ministers to meet
and confer upon the Cuba question, and agree
upon a programme for future action. Nego
tiations had been previously commenced, anc
efforts made by onr Minister at Madrid to Ell
feet purchase of the Island, and settle al
our difficulties with Spain. Those negotia
tions presented a gloomy aspect; and, as
last resort, to prepare itself for the future
our Ministers were instructed to meet at Os
tend. and after full deliberation to propose
plan Of operations for the Administration
The policy recommended was the purchase
of Cuba for liberal sum, or its seizure fol
self preservation. 1t is true that the latter
alternative was conveyed in the interrogativt
form. but the idea, meaning and purpose are
not the less clear for that. 1t was on THU
proposition the President separated from hi
Ministers He answered the query, whether
in case of refusal to sell we should be justifi
ed in seiziug, in the negative, and implies {
censure of our Minister for having held {
doubt on that question. He then changes
his policy, considers the time not favorable
for pushing the propositions to buy, and in
structs Mr. Soue to waste his energies on the
Black Warrior outrage.
All thlf appears TO us TO eNnlOlt tne mos
extraordinary Inconsistency of directness anC
of sagaciy. We can well imagine the chag
rim and disgust which ,ueh q course mus
have kindled in the bosoms Of the three able
gentlemen who had given themselves mucl
trouble 10 meet at Ostend, and SO much Labor
to produce the able manifesto which they
laid before the world But our Minister a
Madrid had reserved for him an even bitterel
reproof and modification. Turning from tn,
rebuff for the Ostend demonstration, to urg'
with proper maniness the claim for satisfac
ton for the Black Warrior outrage, he is me
with the sudden, unexpected and utterly in
comprehensive reproof, and commanded t.
proceed no further in that affair. Such nj
occurrence left him no other resort but TO re
sign. His further sojOurn at Madrid woulC
have exposed him to the exultant sneers o
the Government and people of that KIM
dom. lie took the only course left for him
and resigned his place.
These are the principal facts Of this extra
ordinary affair. We forbear any comment
on them until we can hear the explanation
which the organ of the Administration, or it
friends, will Doubtless present. AS it now
STANDS before the world, we never knew {
case which stood in greater need Of som'
explanation.