Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-07-01

statesman Of large experience and expanded
views. The 0stend document goes ON as fol-
lows:
After we shall have offered Spain price
for Cuba far beyond its present value, and this
shall have been refused, it will then be time TO
consider the question, does Cuba in the posses
sion OF Spain seriously endanger our internal
peace and the existence of our cherished
Union?
"Should this question be answered in the
affirmative, then by every law, human and
divine, we shall be justified in wrestling it from
Spain if we possess the power; and this upon
the very same principle that would justify an
individual in tearing down the burning house
of his neighbor, if there were no other means
Of preventing the flames from destroying his
own home.
under such circumstances, wrought neither
to count the cost nor regard the odds which
Spain might enlist against US. We forbear to
enter into the question whether the present
condition Of the island would justify such
measure"
Mark how completely the foregoing con-
tradcts the statement of the writer in the
Htelligencer, that Mr.. Buchanan advises our
government, If Spain should refuse to sell, then
to take Cuba by force. Mr.. Buchanan's true
position is, that if Spain refuses to sell, then
mot that our government should take it by
force) will abe time to consider the question,
Does Cuba in the possession of Spain seriously
endanger our internal peace and the existence
of our cherished Union?" We must think the
writer in the Intelligencer will acknowledge a
material difference in his representation of Mr..
Buchanan's position and in that so unequivo-
cally laid down by Mr.. Buchanan himself The
injustice is palpable and glaring-such as the
writer ought to repair.
Let us be specific on this matter Mr.. Buch-
anan lays down the great law of self preservation
as applicable to States as well as individuals.
Will any one dispute the truth of that position?
He says that as important as Cuba is to our
peace and prosperity, we should not think of
acquiring it without the consent of Spain, except
in the last resort, as a means of saving our
own nation from ruin. Will any one venture
to take issue with him on this position? He
says that, before considering the question whe-
Their the acquisition Of Cuba is essential for our
preservation, we should offer to buy the island,
and even to offer more than lis value. Will
anybody come forward to dispute this position?
He says that if Spain refuses to sell at such
price, it will then be time for our Government
to consider the momentous question whether
Cuba is essential to our selfpreservation; and
if it shall be decided in the affirmative, then,
to save ourselves from ruin, we should take
Cuba at any cost or peril. Who can success
fully gainsay this proposition? Who will say
that San individual would not be justified in
tearing down the burning house of his neigh
Dor if that we're the only means of saving his
own homer" And who will now say that the
writer in the Itelligeacer has not done Mr.
Buchanan fragrant injustice in the positions
he has attributed to him? IF this writer can
find no better reason for advising the old.line
Wings to support Mr.. Fillmore, and thereby
increase the chances of Colonel Fremont's
election, we think he would show his patriotism
much more clearly by retracting the injurious
imputations against Mr.. Buchanan, and enlist
ing under his banner as an ally for the cam
Paign for the preservation Of the Union.