The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-30


or within the maritime jurisdiction, of the island
of Cuba So, too, the late offensive observations
of Lord MALMEsBURY are reported to have been
automatically qualified atoned for-and those
of our contemporaries who have been congratulate
ing themselves upon finding the coveted Queen OF
the Antilles altogether at our mercy, are thrown
back once upon the intrinsic resources of fill
busersm, with no new ally but the London Times.
The bait held out by that very adroit and unscru-
pulous journal, has been bitten at by portion OF
our press as grcedily as those who offered ii could
have desired, and our country has been presented
in the humilitating attitude of rejoicing, with its
whole heart, at the supposed removal of a fancied
protectoratc, which it had before teen all the while
protesting, in the most indignant manner, that it
utterly disrcgarded or despised Norindeed is this
all of the humiliation. So far that portion ofthe
press to which we have alluded, is concerned the con-
fession has been openly made that the UNITED STATES
have not been deferred hitherto from carrying out
their aggressive views in respect to Cuba, by any
ofright justice, but simpy by the apprehen-
sion ofan interference with which they were unwil-
ling or afraid to cope. Weentertain no doubt that
the admissions thus inadvertently, but unequivo-
cally made, will, in due course, be quoted by the
very journal which furnished the occasion for them,
as evidences of American spirit and morals If
the comments be confined to the parties really in
fault and the scattered patrons and advocates of
the land-robbng scheme in question, certainly
nothing can be said too harsh to be deserved and
no right-minded American will complain, we are
persuaded Of any severity with which the castiga-
ton may be administered. It is high time however
that the position of our government itself should
be above all suspicion upon the point, and that it
should be understood to represent the good Elith
and good feeling which we are quite sure, pervades
the mass Of the American people upon the much
veXed Cuban question. Its past conduct certainly
leaves small room for surprise that its principles
and intentions should be misunderstood and mis-
represented-if indeed, as we would fain hope,
what is sometimes thought and said of them be mis-
understanding or misrepresentation. To ourselves,
we confess that the policy fthe UNITED STATES gov
eminent, for some years past in regard to Cuba,
has been anything but edfyng, in point of states
manship-to say nothing more. Those who
recall the details of Mr.. SOULEs explosive diplo-
macy at Madrid, will remember that the PAcHEco
Ministry were fully prepared TO mature and con-
clude commercial treaty with the UsITED STATES,
embracing the trade of the Spanish West Indies,
and that overturcs TO that effect were distinctly
made to Mr.. PERRY, while acting as chargf I'D in
terim during the Minister'S absence Mr. PERRY
however,. was not authorized TO treat and Mr.
SoULE had no idea of agreeing to any such thing.
His very appointment was an insult to Spain in
view of his well known opinions and antccedents
and he seemed to have made up his mind that his
SbouI ln of q wit
He had determined to have Cuba during his Off
cial term, and commercial treaties belonged to a
more pacific and inglorious line Of policy than he
thought it was his mission to adopt. So soon
therefore, is he could get through his private
shooting affairs with Dukes and Marquises and
could dispose of his little court of republican
refugees, he posted off TO Ostend Conferences, or
other places where he had as little business to be-
and where he was able to persuade older and
graver gentlemen, who ought to have known
better, to sign his fillibusterne manifestoes
Fortune however, for once, did not favor the
brave, and the belligerent Plenipotentiary soon
found 1t necessary to come home in disgust not
only without having purchased or taken Cuba
but having, on the other hand, done every thing
in the power of man to render the peaceful acqui-
siton of the Island, by this country, perfectly
impossible. The only definite result of his rego-
tiations to uproot the confidence of Spain in
our friendship and good flith to put an end to all
Immediate chance of commercial arrangement,
and to procure from the Cortes amid tumultuous
applause, unanimous and enthusiastic declara-
ton of the sentiment, that to part with Cuba
would be national disgrace. And so it is that
things now stand, and the sentiment then pro-
claimed is a perfectly well settled principle of
Spanish craftsmanship, which no ministry could
hint at violating without being instantly Kissed
from power-and the actual disregard of which
would peril the very existence of the monarchy
itself
So much for the diplomacy of 'Eannexation -
One half of the energy wasted in abortive schemes
both unjust and nationally disreputable, would
have secured 10 the UNITED STATES, by treaty.
commercial advantages, which would have rem
dered Cuba practically ours, as etIectually as
purchase or conquest without the cost of the
one or the blood and shame of the other. She
would have become ours, by virtue of our prox-
unity, our fair maritime enterprise-our CONNER
cial activity and resources She would have
been ours, by the ties which reciprocal COM
good faith and common interests inspire-by
friendly and profitable contact with our people. our
customs and our institutions. She would have
been treasure to us, and II far richer treasure
than now to the mother country, to whose national
Golfers her revenue, which at present is consumed
in fleets and armies TO protect her against our at
gressions, would have carried increasing means of
acknowledgement, improvement and prosperity.
Her allegiance to Spain would have grown cor
dial, under the blessings of liberal system, while
her relations with US would have been victory
of peace and civilization. Such are the only vic
tories, save those in selfdeence, which Republics
may honorably gain and such victory, so won,
would, in itself and its results have reflected far
more lusre on the administration which flung the
chance of it away, than the most brilliant and
successful foray which could have set our flag upon
the Moro.
We trust that Mr.. BUCHANAN with his large
experience, has seen the folly of his predecessors
by the light of its results, and that instead of
occupying himself with the vain and futile at
tempts against which the policy of Spain opposes
so absolute barrier to peaceful success, he will
direct his efforts into the more legitimate channels
OF ordinary negotiation. We quite sure that
no portions OF Mr.. BUCHANAN's letter accepting the
nomination for the PRESIDENCY or of his inaupural
address, gave greater satisfaction to the country.
than those in which he pledged himself to pacific
and conservative policy in our relations with
foreign governments. They removed the appre-
tensions, not altogether unnatural, which the
ostend Manifesto had excited in all who valued
tne good name of the country, and the manifold
interests bound up in the preservation of peace To
carry out the principles which ushered in his adj
mnlStraton SO acceptably would certainly crown
it with public applause and gratitude. treaty of
commercial freedom and reciprocity, openine tbe
ports of the Spanish islands to our vessels ond
removing the onerous measures of Discrimination
"nicn now stand so absurdly in the way of an