Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-01
From the Washington Union of June 81

addresses himself TO the oldline wings in re-
gard to their course in the pending prssiden-
tial contest, recommends them to withhold
their support from Mr.. Buchanan mainly upon
the ground of his sentiments as contained in
the "Ostend Manifesto" The objection is
stated by the writer as follows:
|" And, especially, how can we support Mr..
Buchanan, whose celebrated Ostend Manifesto
has committed him to an extent even trans
cending the limits of the Cincinnati platform
In that manifesto he does not hesitate to say
that We must haze Cuba at all risks. He ad-
vises our government to offer to purchase it;
and, II Spain should refuse to sell, then take 1T
by FORCE. Such is Mr.. Buchanan's position"
1t is fortunate for Mr.. Buchanan that his
real position on the Cuban question is suscep-
tible of an calculation so certain and clear that
no apology for misconstruction or misrepre
sentation can exist The "Ostend Manifesto
itself furnishes triumphant answer to any
Misrepresentation on the subject. Without
travelling out Of the record, we will proceed to
expose the injustice done to Mr.. Buchanan in
the foregoing extract.
not hesitate to say that zoe must hare Cuba at
all risks Again he says that Mr.. Buchanan
advises our government, "if Spain should re-
fuse to sell, then take it (Cuba) BY FORCE"
These are presented by the writer in the Intel
ligencer as Mr.. Buchanan's positions in the
0stend document. We undertake to prove
from the document itself that its true language
and Interpretation SO materially qualify and
modify the positions attributed to him as en-
tirely to relieve him from the imputations of
Jfilibnsterisns contained in the article to which
we are replying.
On the importance to our government of the
acquisition Of Cuba the Ostend document holds
this language:
at must be clear to every rejecting mind
that, from the popularity of its geographical
position and the considerations attendant on
it, Cuba is as necessary to the North American
republic as any Of its present members, and
that it belongs naturally to that great family of
States Of which the Union is the providential
nursery.
From its locality il commands the mouth
OF the Mississippi and the immense and annu-
|
avenue to the ocean.
son the numerous navigable streams, mea-
suring an aggregate course of some thirty
thousand miles, which disembogue themselves
through this magnificent river into the Gulf of
Mexico, the increase of the population, within
the last ten years, amounts to more than that
Of the entire Union at the time Louisiana was
annexed to it.
!" The natural and main outlet to the pro.
ducts of this entire population, the highway Of
their direct intercourse with the Atlantic and
the Pacific States, can never be secure, but
must ever be endangered, whilst Cuba is de-
tendency Of distant power. in whose posses
sion it has proved to be source of constant
annoyance and embarrassment to their in
terests.
"lndeed, the Union can never enjoy repose,
nor possess reliable security, as long as Cuba
is not embraced within its boundaries.
ats immediate acquisition by our govern
ment is of paramount importance, and we
cannot doubt but that it is consummation
devoutly wished for by its inhabitants.
"The intercourse which its proximity TO our
coasts begets and encourages between them
and the citizens Of the United States has, in
the progress of time, so united their interests
and blended their fortunes, that they now look
upon each other as if they were one people
and had but one destiny.
Considerations exist which render delay in
the acquisition of this island exceedingly dan
gerous to the United States.
"The system of immigration and labor lately
organized within its limits, and the tyranny
and oppression which characterize its immedi.
ate rulers, threaten an instruction at every
moment, which may result in direful conse-
quences to the American people.
"Cuba has thus become to us an unceasing
danger, and a permanent cause Of anxiety and
alarm"
Can any one successfully controvert the con-
clusiveness of these reasons for the policy of
proposing an immediate acquisition of Cuba2
Their force cannot be increased by argument,
nor can the conclusion to which they lead be
resisted.
After arguing to show that Spain would con.
suit her own interest by agreeing to sell Cuba
to the United States, the document proceeds
to discuss the question, in the alternative Of
her refusnl to sell, as follows:
"But if Spain, deaf to 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 Of the
American government under such circum-
stances.
Selfpreservation is the first law Of nature,
with States as well as with individuals. Ali
nations have at different periods acted upon
this maxim. Although it has been made the
pretext for committing fragrant injustice, MS in
the partition Of Poland, and other similar cases
which history records, yet the principle itself,
though often abused, has always been recog.
nised."
We desire to fix especial attention upon the
proposition here laid down as the foundation
Of the suggestions which will be quoted as we
proceed. Is il true Of nations, as of ndivi-
duals that sELF-PREsERvATIoS IS THE FIRST
LAW OF NATURE? The government, which has
to decide the proper time for resorting to this
law, must necessarily assume a heavy respon-
sibiity; but that in extreme cases the law ex.
lists, and may be rightfully enforced, we do not
suppose any one will deny. To show that the