The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-18
OUR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

The foreign policy of the Administration, as in
Dictated by the Presidents late message, seems to
have aroused the fears and Indignation of both
England and France to a considerable degree, and
the ire of the London Times-the power behind
the throne-in particular. That organ of British
insolence, in speaking of the message, says it is
warlikc-that its leading feature is American ag-
grandizcmcnt the rights of other nations, and
that without quarrel with some foreign power
the messages Of our Presidents would be tame and
poor affairs. There seems to be particular line
of policy for American repression marked out by
these leading powers of Europe, the most conspic-
uous item of which is a determination their
part to prevent Cuba from passing into the hands
OF our government, either by seizure for indemni-
ficaton, or by fair purchase. Napoleon III con-
sters himself man of destiny but if his par
tcular destiny is wrapped up in the Anglo-French
alliance for setting bounds to the expansion of
American institutions on this continent, then his
destiny is a gigantic humbug, and chimerical as
the baseless fabric of an air castle. For short, in
deed, is the foresight which does not the fulfil
ity of endeavoring to Illustrate the designs of a
wise Providence in shaping the destiny of this
Republic.
The history of the past, and especially the in
dignant refusal by Spain of Mr. Folks offer, holds
out no probability of the acquisition of Cuba by
purchase And, in fact, the people Of the Island
have received in high dudgeon the proposition of
the President to buy them. On the other hand,
if we issue an attachment the question arises: are
we prepared in the face of an empty treasury to
measure arms with England, Spain and France
Unless our national honor imperatively demands
it, and clear sense of justice impels the act
we think wisdom dictates great deal of caution
to say the least. 1t may be well, however, to pre-
pare for emergency; and in case 1t should be
found necessary to pursue compulsory course In
order to maintain our honor and secure justice,
think the bill reported to the Senate by the Naval
Committee for building ten sloops-of-war of light
draft, an eminently wise measure And its Wis
dom will fully appear when we recolect that
our transit route over the isthmus of Panama must
be protected at all hazard
But docs our peculiar mission free people
point at present to the island of Cuba fit terri
tory for the genius of American liberty to sway its
ceptre, and is that island, with its degenerate,
priest ridden population of sufficient value to
rant the expenditure of an untold amount of blood
and treasure in its acquisition? 1t is true, in a
certain contingency it would be Of immense value;
standing as it does like fort, commanding all
communication between the Eastern States and the
ancient colony of Spain and our Pacific possessions
it is easy to Sec Napoleon has already acknowl-
edged, what powerful instrument it would be in
the hands of European powers, in case of war, for
crippng the commerce of the United States. Such
a possible contingency seems to justify a carrying
out of the Monroe doctrine to insure our national
safety; but depleted treasury suggests prudent
and cautious proceeding in this matter