The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-27

event. conscious recttnde and self
respect"
We ask the writer in the Itslgshea 10 mark the inn
portant qualification We should not acquire Cuba with
the consent of SPAIN ny
LAW OF MISREPRESENTATION How does this sustain the
qualified statement Of the writer that Mr. Buchanan docs
hesitate say that must have Cuba at all risks n
What Mr.. Buchanan really said was, that must have
Cuba all risks weasUa its acquisition shall be justified
by the great law ofselEpreseryation. .#" I'll
But proceed to show clearly yet that Mr.
Buchanan guarded his position this subject with de-
gree OF caution and crcumspecon which mark the
servatve statesman OF large experience and expanded
views. The Ostend document goes as follows
"After we shall have offered Spain price for Cuba be-
yond its present value and this shall have been refused
will then be time to consider the question: Does Cuba in the
of Spain seriously endanger internal peace and
the existence of our cherished Union I
"Shoud this question be answered in the Affirmative then
by every law, human and divine shall be justified in
wrestling 1t from Spain IT possess the powerand this
upon the very principle that wond Justify individual
In tearing down the burning house of his neghbor there
other preventing the flames from destroying
his own home.
Under such circumstance we ought neither to
the regard the odds which Spain enlist against
We orbear to enter int the question whether the
emit condition of the island would Justify such measure
Mark how completely the foregoing contradcts the state
men of the writer in The htHgener, that Mr. Buchanan
adriss government if Spain should refuse TO SELL then 10
take Cuba by force Mr. Buehanans true position is that
il Spain refuses to SELL lien mot that government
should take it by force) will be time to consider
the question: Does Cuba in the possession of Spain ser
ousy endanger internal peace and the existence of
cherished Unionp' We must think the writer in the In
teHigenccr will acknowledge material difference in his
representation of Mr.. Buchanans position and in that
unequivocally laid down by Mr. Buchanan himself The
injustice is paIpable and garingsuch the writer ought
to repair.
Let us be specific this matter Mr.. Buchanan
lays down the great law of selEpreseryation as APP
pcable to States well as individuals viii any one
dispute the truth of that position He says that as
important Cuba is to our peace and prosperity, we
should not think of acquiring it without the consent OF
Spain ereept in the last resort means of saving
own nation from ruin. Will any venture to take is
with him this position2 He says that before
sderng the question whether the acquisition of Cuba is
essential for preservation should offer to buy the
island and to offer than its value. Will any
body come forward 10 dispute this position He says
that If Spain refuses sell at such price, it will then be
time for government to consider the momenous ques
ton whether Cuba is essential to selfpreservaton
and il it shall be decided in the affirmative, then to
ourselves from ruin should take Cuba at any cost
peril. Who successfully gainsay this proposition
Who will say that IAN individual would not be justified in
tearing down the burning house of his neghbor if that
the only means Of saving his own homer And who
will say that the writer in the Itegnce has not done
Mr. Buchanan fragrant injustice in the positions be has
attributed hm2 IL this writer find better
for advising the od-line wings to support Mr. Fillmore
and thereby increase the chances of Colonel Fremopts
election, think he would show his patriotism much
clearly by reractng the injurious imputations
against Mr. Buchanan and enlisng under his banner
ally for the campaign for the preservation of the
Union.