The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-02

The position assumed by Mr.. Buchanan in
the Ostend Conference Manifesto, in regard to
the acquisition of Cuba, ought certainly 10 de-
eide every Southern man to cast his vote cheer.
fully Tor him. 1t removed all doubt, if any ex-
listed, of his real friendship to the South. and
placed him immeasursbly above all other
Northern statesmen. We regret that this con
elusive fact in his favor has not had its due
prominence in the present contest. It's great
Importance cannot be too often dwelt upon by
papers and speakers, for 1t constitutes a claim
never before possessed by any candidate for
the Presidency. His opponents may miscon-
strue and dlstort his votes against Abolition
petitions his votes and speeches against the
abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia:
they may garble his speech upon the annexa-
ton OF Texas, and, in violation OF all the prin-
clples OF sound logic, deddee odious doctrines
from his letter OF acceptance, but the language
OF the Ostend Manifesto de6es all of their arts
and ingenuity. While the boldness of the no.
sition for g Northern man is without parallel,
Its soundness cannot be gainssid or disputed.
We beg the especial attention of our read
ers, as Southern men, to the following most
significant extract from that manifesto, remem-
bering that the conference was held in the fall
OF 1854, only tic0 gears since:
" After we shall have offered Spain a nrice
for Cuba far beyond its present value, and this
shall have been refused, it will then be time 20
consider the question, Does Cuba, in the DOS
session of Spain, seriously endanger our inter
nal peace, and the existence of our cherished
Union2
"Should this question be answered in the az.
frmative, then, by every ialo, human and diUine.
zee shall be justified in ,cresting IL from Spain
if zoe possess the pO,Oer. And this, upon the
very same principle that would justify an indi-
vidual in tearing down the burning house of his
neighbor, if there were no other means of pre-
venting the flames from destroying his own
house.
"Under such circumstances, we ought neither
20 cOant the cost nor regard the odds which
Spain might enlist against US. We forbear 10
enter into the question, whether the present con-
dition of the Island would Justify such a meas
ure. We should, however, be recrednt 10 our
duty, be unworthy Of our gallant forefathers,
and commit base treason against oar DOsterity
should we permit Cuba to be Africanized, be-
come second st. Domingo, with all its attend
ant horrors to the white race, and suffer the
flames to extend to our neighboring shores, Sc
riously to endanger or actually to consume the
fair fabric of our Union"
Admitting, then, for the nonce, that Mr.. Fill
more Is willing TO grant to the South all of her
rights ,cithin and under the Constitution, land
his most insane admirers never claim that he
will do more, see how much in advance of him
Mr.. Buchanan has placed himself Mr.. Blu
chanan is ready and pledged not only to con.
cede to every constitutional right, but to 60
beyond that conservative position. By the
foregoing language it will be seen that he ia
ready to go outside and beyond the Constitu
ton, and, in defiance of all the world, to acrest
Cuba from Spain by the strong arm of poscer.
And reader, do you inquire why act in that
extraordinary manner? His speech in 1926
upon the Panama mission, as well as this man.
ifesto, furnishes the noble, patriotic answer
10 prevent Cuba becoming "a cast magazine
an the ricinity Of the Southern States. ,o6ose
explosion ,could be dangerous to their tranouiL
t'ty and peace" What stronger evidence would
any reasonable Southern man require What
stronger evidence could any man offer of his
friendship for usp In the face of Northern hos
tiity to acquisition of slave territory, and in dis
regard, too, of the laws of nations, he is willing