Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-12-25
The Fofeign Policy of the Administration.

Y Diminishing, as obsolete, dead issues
says the Delta, all the questions arising
out of the Kansas controversy, we pro.
coed to that part of the Presidents Mes.
sage lin which he presents a series Of
propositions in relation to our foreign
/ policy deserving the serious attention,
communication, and cooperation of the
] people of these States.
, We have looked in vain through the
whole development Of his foreign policy
lor aught that would Justify exception
or censurc from even the ultra advocates
of a more decisive and American policy,
a policy less tainted and characterized
by the stereotyped and conventional
ideas Of the red tape diplomacy of the
powers of the old world.
Mr.. Buchanan has taken the first step
in this country towards a declaration of
diplomatic independence. Our relations
to foreign nations are in the future to
be regulated and determined more by
our own policy and ideas of right and
wrong, tina by the principles and doc
trines elaborated and systematized by
German philosophy, and adopted by the
servants of European monarchies. to the
character and circumstances of the pco-
pie of the old States.
This is a great step forward. The
propositions, to which we refer as proofs
of this advancement in our diplomacy
are as follows:
|. The %declination of the British pro-
posal to our Government to take the in
itiativc in regulating the v~eriication Of
the nationality of ships on the high seas,
in con junction with the other great pow
ers Of Europe, which would have ~involv-
we'd an entangling alliance of a very
dangerous character.
2. The reputation of the CLAYTON and
Bulwcr treaty, as interpreted by the
British Government.
8. The demand upon Spain to endow
the Captain General of Cuba with power
to remedy, equal to the power he now
has to infict wrongs upon our citizens.
The President shows what a mockery
the present system is-how vain it is to
seek satisfaction for any injury to our
commerce and people that may be per-
petfated by the representatives of the
Spanish royalty on that island.
4. This add another to the many other
reasons presented by the President in
favor Of the acquisition of the island by
the United States. The policy of this {
acquisition is placed on the same grounds
os the purchase of Louisiana, under the ,
administration of Jefferson. The Presi-
proposes that he be entrusted, as .
Jefferson was, with the means of making
an advance to the Spanish Government /,
Immediately after the signing of a treaty {
for the purchase of the island. Such adj r
vance will be required to enable the
of Spain, making such a
to sustain itself sufficiently long j
% put it into operation and give it all
The necessary sanctions. The monopo-
lists in Spain who now prey and fatten :
1pon the resources of Cuba, will oppose
It's transfer to the United States with :
great power and large means. The
Government which reFerts to them will
iced the aid VIC have it in our power to Z
rive. G
5. Relative to our Mexican relations, N
he policy Of the President is bold, .sa- {,
and decisive. +
The failure Of the present Government
f that unhappy republic to make repa- p
alton for the acts Of hostility to our :
would be an abundant cause for
UGH a resort to hostilities. But such a :. Z
esort may be wisely deferred until it is fr
etermined whether the present, OF athe W y
institutional authorities shall sway Al
Central Government of this republic. St