Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-09-05
mr.. paonanan'. 7Fsellngs towards the south In

mr.. Buchannn's Feelings se Towards the so"'h N
The extracts copied below are taken from speech
delivered by Mr.. Buchanan in the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes in 1926 They show what MS 1eenngs
then were in relation to the Island OF Cuna. AheY
show unm;stakeably that he was at that time in
favor of the acquisition OF that lsiano as eans u
defence and protection to the SCUM.
At the period of which speak, Mexico ana 20
Iombia Threatened Cuba as France and England have
since done-they threatened to Wrest ner from Inc
paralytie hands of Spain-the conquest 10 De iolow
ed by emancipation. To this result, and Its eonse,
ouences to the South, Mr.. Buchanan directly applied
his remarks. Hear what be then said:
Important as this island may be to us in CONNER
cal. it is still more important IN a political view.
From It's position il commands the entrance OF the
Gufs both Of Mexico and Florida The report of our
Committee on Foreign Relations truly says. St that
the Moro may be regarded DIS fortress al the mouth
of the Mississippi Any power in possession OF TINS
island, even with small naval toice coulo nefmesi
calv seal the mouth of the Mississippi. thus, the
vast AGRICULTURAL productions of that valley, which is
drained by the father of rivers, might be deprived OF
the channel which nature intended tor their passage
large portion of the people OF The otate' one OF
whose Representatives am, find Their way to marker
by the Mississippi For this reason feel particularly
interested in this part of the subject The great law
of self preservation which is equally binding on IN
divduals and nations, commands us, II we cannot
obtain possession of this island ourselves not 10 suffer
it 10 pass from Spain, under whose DOMINION 1t Will
even protested against its invasion by Mexico and
Colombia
There is still another view of the sub ect in rela-
ton to this island, which demands particular aten-
ton Let us for a moment look at the spectacle
which it will present, in case Mexico and Columbia
sbonld attempt to revolu,ionize it. Have they not
always marched under The standard OF universal
emancipation Have they not always conquered by
proclaming liberty 10 the slave In the present con-
diton of the island, what will be the probable conse
h,o1 has
been the most barbarous and destrucve and which
spares neither age nor sex. Revenge, urged on BY
cruelty and ignorance would desoIate the land. Inc
dreadful scenes of St. Domingo would again be pre-
sented to our view, and would again be acted almos
within sight of our own shores. Cuba would ne {
vast magazine in the vicinity of the Southern States
whose explosion would be dangerous 10 their tran
guilty and peace
Permit me here MIR. Chairman, for a moment, Il
speak upon a subject, TO which | have never betor
adver,ed on this floor, anu TO which, trust, ma.
never again have occasion TO advert. mean tn
subject of slavery. belieI ii to be great poltica
and moral evil | thank God, my lot has been cas-
in Stale where it does not exist. But while | en-
terrain the opinions, know ii is evil at presen
WITHOUT A REMEDY 1t has been curse en-
titled upon us by that nation which now makes it
subject of reproach to Institutions 1t is, how
ever one of those moral evils, FROM WHICH 1T i
IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO ESCAPE, WITHOU,
THE INTRODUCTION OF EVILS INFINITELY
GREATER There are portions of this Union i
which, if you elnancipate your slaves they Will be
come masters. There can be no middle course.
there any man in this Union who could, for on
moment indulge the horrd idea Of abOlishlng slavery
by the massacre Of the high minded, and the chiva
+. rous race Of men the South trust there is nc
:; one FOR MY OWN PART WOULD, WITHOU
. HESITATION, BUCKLE ON MY KNAPSACK AN
Y MARCH in company with my friend from Masst
= chusetts CNlr EveretO IN DEFENCE OF THEI
e CAUSE
am willing to consider slavery question er
trely domestic, and leave it 10 those States in whc
it exists. The constitution ofthe United States sha
+ be my rule of conduct upon this subject. hay
good reason to believe, that the honest, butsm
q ken attempts OF philanthropists, have done mut
injury 10 the slaves themselves. These attemp
l. generally reach the of the slave, and while the
SIS inspire linn with false hopes of liberty, and tn
+ make him disobedient, and disconnected with b
'e condition, they compel the master TO use more
y verify, than would otherwise have been necessary.
- After contemplating this noble and chivalrous t:
~ hibon of regard for the South, readers will
IL surprised to learn that Mr.. Buchanan's opponer
have actually galbled the foregoing passages for eN
dence of his hostility the section in whose defen
u he was ready 10 buckle on his armorI To such
~ Infamous depth of partizan malignity and dishon
ue have some of them, al least scruped 10 descen
~ What must Mr. Buchanan think what mi
nc Northern who have up to this day stood by
~ South thnk-of return so base, for eXpressi
~ OF friendship strong For the sake of our sectlC
=" for the good of the race let rejoice in
II belief that lew, very few could be found in the SOU
~ so utterly devoid of gratitude. And let
~ Northern friends that not only in words, but by &C
I Ie the South repudates such q shame and d
ny honor 10 her.-Southside Democrat