New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-12-18

9ent and should other independent nations come to
tue aid OF spann the contest no human power could,
~ our opinion, prevent the people and oyeynment
Of tne United States from taking part in such civil
war 10 support of their neisHhors and friends
Bat i spain, dead to the voice OF her oa interest
and act1ated by stubborn pride and false sense of
hoaoT shOud refuse tose Cuba to the United States,
then the question will arise what ought to be the
course Of the American Government under such cir
cunstaDces2
SeIfpreservation is the first law Of nature with
states as well az individuals. All nations have, at
different periods, acted upon this maxim Although
it has been made the pTetext for committing fragrant
injustice as in the partition Of Poland and other
similar cases which history records yet the principle
ITSELF though often abused, has always been recog-
nized.
The United States have never acquired foot Of
territory except by fair purchase or as u the case Of
Texas upon the free and voluntary application Of the
people Of that independent State, who desired to
blend their destiniea with our own.
Even our acquisitions from Mexico are no exception
to this rule, because although we might have claimed
them by the right Of conquest in just war, yet We
purchased them for what was then considered by both
parties full and ample equivalent,
Our past history forbids that should acquire the
island OF Cuba without the consent of Spain, unless
justified by the great law Of self preservation. We
must in any event preserve our own conscious rect
| tude and our own self-respect.
"hh pursuing this course we can afford TO dsre-
\ gard the censnres of the world to which we have
been so often and 50 unjustIy exposed.
After we shall have offered Spain price for Cuba
iar beyond its present value and this shall have been
refused It will then be time to consider the question
GOES Cuba, IN the possession Of Spain, seriously
cherished Union2
should this question be answered in the affirmative
then, by every law, human and divine, we shall be
Justified in wrestling it from Spain II We possess the
power and this, upon the very same princple that
would justify an individual in tearing down the
burning house Of his neghbor If there were no other
means Of preventing the flames from destroying his
| own home.
Under such circumstances, we ought neither to
count the cost regard the odds which Spain might
enlist against We foFbear to enter into the cues
ton, whether the present condition of the island
| would justify such measure. We should, however
be recreant TO our duty be unworthy OF our gallant
/ fOrefathers, and commit base treason against our
posterity, should we permit Cuba to be Afrcanized
and become second st. Domingo, with all it,
attendant horrors to the white race and suffer the
flames to extend to our own neighboring shores
seriously to endanger actually to consume the fair
fabric of our Union.
We fear that the and currents of events are
rapidly tending towards such catastrophe We
however hope for the best though we ought certainly
to be prepared for the worst.
We also forbear to investigate the present condi
| ton of the question at issue between the United
States aud SPAIN A long series OF injuries to ouI
people have been committed in Cuba by Spanish
officials and are unredFessed. But recently most
fragrant outrage on the rights Of the American cti
Gems and on the flag Of the United States perpe
tldLeu III tue VI E1dNdudB
which without immediate redress, would have iusti
fed resort to measures of war in vindication o.
national honor That outrage is not only mentioned
but the Spanish Government has deliberately sane
toned the acts Of its subordnates and assumed the
responsibility attaching to them.
Nothing could more impressively teach Us the
danger TO which those peaceful relations it has eTe
been the policy Of the United States to cherish will
foreign nations are constantly exposed than the cir
cumstances of that case Situated as Spain and tbs
United States are the latter have orboTne to regor
to extreme measures.
But this course cannot, with due regard to thei
own dignity as an independent nation, continue AM
, our recommendations now submitted are dictated b,
the firm belief that the cessOn of Cuba to the Unite
States with stipuatonsas beneficial to Spain fhos
suggested, is the only effective mode Of settling d
past differences and of securing the two countrie
against future collisions
We have already witnessed the happy results 70
both countries which followed similar arrangement
: in regard to Florida.
JAMES BUCHANAN,