The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-03-24
Mr.. Marcy on the Report of the Three
.... Ministers. ...... ..

against him who diggeth pit for his neigh
boris OK to fall therein. That Mr. Marcy
dug the pit into which Mr. Buchanan and
and Mr. Mason have fallen, with the express
desire Of taking them in it, we could not
venture to say, but if he did, he was remark
ably successful, and the two ministers look
like very silly pair of oxen, in the predic-
ament to which they have brought them
selves. To-day we publish Mr.. Marcys re-
ply to the report of these two gentlemen and
their associate Mr.. Soule. The moderation
of its tone, the reasonableness and equity of
its views of the controversy between our
government and Spain, and the wisdom OF
the line of negotiation marked out for Mr..
Soule to follow stand in very decided con-
trast to the atrociously piratical spirit and
shallow reasoning of their report. The let
ter will do Mr.. Marcy great credit with the
country.
1t is we'll known that Mr. Marcy disap-
proved from the first of Mr.. Soule's appoint
ment as minister TO Spain. The Louisiana
senator was ready and impressive debater,
bat 4 man who had no pretensionS TO pru-
dence or TO the power of seeing things in
their true proportions, and scarcely more to
be trusted as diplomatic agent than any
patient taken al random from the Blooming,
dale insane asylum. In negotiating for the
allowance Of the claims of American citi-
zens against Spain, and sounding the gov
ernment Of that country as to its willingness
to part with Cuba, it was not to be expect
ed that he would comport himself with any
discretion. Bat Mr.. Buchanan and Mr.
Mason were both cool-headed men, from
whom the public could hardly have expected
any foolishly rash proceeding. Mr.. Bu-
chanan is the head Of a considerable divis-
ion Of the democratic party in the middle
states, who mean to make him President of
the Union Mr.. Mason is associated with
another powerful division of the same
party, who have hitherto ruled in the great
state Of Virginia, and exert decided in
fuence on the politics of the southern states.
To the advice of these men Nv. Nancy com
mittad Mr.. Soule. If, by tn, moderation
and good sense of their cOunsels they could
restrain him from the course he seemed bent
upon pur5uing-tha effect of which would
be to embgoil our country into hostilities
with Spain-the state department would be
relieved of some responsibility, and the CO.
operation of Mr. Buchanan's friends and of
the Virginia politicians in moderate poll
cy towards Spain, would be secured, We
are willing to believe that Mr. Marcy ex-
pected this-for his habit is to avoid any
superhuous responsibility. 1t was against
his advice that Mr. Soule was appointed,
and it was natural that he should desire to
leave to others the task Of controlling him.
But if, on the other hand, the ministers to
London and Paris should concur in Mr..
Soule'S scheme Of saizing upon Cuba upon
the plea by which all public robbaries of the
kind are justified-the plea Of state necessi-
ty-Mr. Marcy was sagacious enough to see
that they would, to use the common saying,
take more upon their shoulders than they
could shake of at their heels. Il would then
be his duty to interpoSe, but he could inter
pose in such manner as not only to get rid
Of Soule, but to obtain prodigious advan-
tage over Buchanan, between whom and the
secretary of state there has never been very
strong political sympathy.
The result of the meeting between Mr.
SOule and the other ministers was, that he
talked them over to his views, if they did
not entertain them beforehand, and then
drew up the strange report which we pub.
lished yesterday, and which Mr.. Marcy, in
the paper given by US to-day, cuts up as
coolIy and remorselessly as he might carve
a roast turkey. We should not wonder if,
on the publication Of this report and answer
answer in Europe, Buchanan and Mason
should find their situation so unpleasant
that they will follow Soue's example and re-
sign their places. As to Mr. Mason, he will