Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-06-20
The following extract from the Ostend

The following extract from the OStend
Circular. of which Mr. Buchanan was
one OF the authors, was omitted from the
Cincinnati platform by mistake. 1t lays
down the latest administration doctrine
in regard to the much abused vocation
of piracy, and places il for the first time
under the sanction and protection of in
ternational law.
1t is privilege of which every Ameri-
can must be proud, that he will soon
have an opportunity of testifyins their
sympathies for class of men whom civil
lied nations have hitherto been accus-
toned to treat rather harshly, and also
to assist in establishing the comprehen-
sive principle of international law, that
any nation has right to appropriate to
itself the territory Of any weaker nation
if unable to make satisfactory bargain
forit Post.
"But if Spain. deafto the voice of her
own interest. and actuated by stubborn
pride and false sense of honor, should
refuse TO sell Cuba to the United States,
then the question will arise. what ought
to be the course ofthe American govern
ment under such circumstances Self
preservation is the first law of nature
with states as well as with individuals.
All nations at different periods acted up
on this maxim. Although it has been
made the pretext for committing fragrant
injustice. as in the partition of Poland,
and other similar cases which history
records, yet the principle itself, though
abused. has always been recognized.
The United States has never acquired
a foot of territory except by fair purchase,
or. as in the case ofTexas, upon the free
and voluntary application of the people
; of that independent state, who desire to
blend their destines with our own.-
Even our acquisitions from Mexico are
, no exception to the rule, because, al
though we might have claimed them by
the right of conquest. in just war, yet
we purchased them for what was then
considered by both parties full and am
pie equivalent. Our past history forbids
that we should acquire the island of Gu
ba without the consent of Spain, unless
/, justified by the great law of self-prcserva.
tor We must, in any event, preserve
cur own conscious rectitude and oul
own elfrespect.
,, "While pursuing this course, we car
afford to disregard the censures of the
world, to which we have been so otter
:, and so unjustly exposed. After we shall
have offered Spain price for Cuba fal
; beyond its present value, and this shall
have be n refused, it will then be time
to consider the question, does Cuba il
the possession of Spain seriously endan
ger our internal peace and the existenc,
: of our cherished Union. Should thi,
question be answered in the affirmative
then by every law. human and divina, We
, shall be justified in wrestling it from
Spain, if we possess the power. Ant
this upon the very same principle tina
would justify an individual in tearing
; down the burning houses ofhis neighbol
; If there are no other means of preventing
E the flames from destroying his own home
Under such circumstances, We ought nei
ther to count the cost nor regard the
odds which Spain might enlist against
> us.
1--WE forbear to enter into the ques
ton whether the present condition of thu
Island would Justify such measure
We should, however, be rccreant to oul
duty-be unworthy of our gallant fore.
fathers. and commit base treason agains,
our posterity. should we permit Cuba
to be Afrlcanised and become a secon1
St. Domingo, with all its attendant hor
rors to the white race, and suffer the
e flames to extend to our neighborine
shores. seriously tic endanscr or actually
to consume the fair fabric of our Union
We fear that the course and current Of
events are rapidly tending toward suct
a catastrophe.
JAMES BUCHANAN,
sJoHS Y Mason