The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-20
THE PURCHASE OF CUBA.
Lord PnlmcrstOn Approves Of the Position
OF Spain, and Denies MIR. Buchannn's Argu-


OF Spain, and Denies MIR. Buchanan's Argu-
ments.
From the london Post (Palmerston organ, Jan Al
The intelligence from Madrid announces a resolution OF
the Cortes, repudiatpg the insulting hypothesis OF Mr.
Buchanan in his annual Message to the American Congress-
that Spain might be induced TO surrender Cuba to the
United States government for pecunary consideration
This resolution is IN peculiar manner taken ont OF the
hands OF party manuuvrng the Cores, declaration
this effect having made by the 0Donne Ministry,
the resolve Of the Executive, carried uului
mousy at the instance of H. Oozaga, the leader Of the
opposition, confirming their policy on this question The
alacrity oil NJ oozaga In supporting an administrator
hostile TO his own political pfetensions sabject
of national interest," is peculiarly distinguishing IN a
country IN which SO mucn is perpetually surrendered
actous influences We assume, therefore, that. for
the present least the resolution of the Spanish govern
ment and the spanish Legislature has been firmly taken
and that the Americans must either recede from their
proposition altogether or support by demonstrations
equally inconsistent with the terms Of the Presidents
message ana with the restraints of civilized government
and international law.
The remarks in the message which have thus become
the object of just anm4lversion the Spansh Cores
are confined, indeed, TO honorable negotiation" "We
would not" says the President, sit could, acquire
Cuba by any other meaus This emiueny satisfacto
ry and re-assuriDg anu 10 the TRUTH such protes
tation OF moderate aud just views no, altogether
unnecessary from Executive Chief who had so
ateiy gwen MS sanction to the principles propounded
at the Conferences of OsteDd. But when Mr..
Buchanan goes on to say that 'this is due to our
national Character, his reflection certainly suggests
regret that his appreciation OF what is "due that
score should not have da wned upon at a somewhat
earlier stage OF his official career The profound demon.
STATIONS OF respect for public law contained in this Mes
sages rather awkwardy the present President
United States Moreover almost 10 breath with
his assertion OF the paramount principle OF right aud
Iteration for his guidance the negotiation OF MS 60
vernment with the Spanish Court in regard 10 Cuba
what are commonly known the Cubau caims''
against Spain are pressed with force OF language winch
must render the world hat suspicious of all this
ahectaon Of submissvenes TO the law Of nations There
is, however, very discreet reservation 4 in Mr..
Buchanans Message against ali eventuaAties. 'This
course" says the President, "we shall pdr-
sue unless circumstances should occur which we do not
IL
justGabe uoder the imperative aud overriding law OF
self preservation This is undoubtedly a very grand
climax but the antecdents of the present Amerc All gov
crnmen fully justify the Spanish Cores in being some
what sceptca of It's value. II we may judge of the
United States executive from its antecedents during
the past few years should be apt fear might
put somewhat loose construction upon principles of
international law and that il found be
sensitive the subject of ''sef preservation" The
Spanish Crte canno he expected forget that expe
diton Of 6busters To the Island OF Cuba sanctioned
rather than dscounenanced by the recognized author
ties Of the United States
On the other hand be forgotten that so long
Spain continues 20 violate its solemn engagements for
the suppression of the African slave trade that country
fores the mpathy Of the other European Powers ana
gives peculiar coorlpg grievances Of the United
States "Cuba says Mr. Buchanan great truth ais
the only spot in the civilized world which the African
slave trade is rateo, and We bound by treaty
with Great Britain, to maintain naval force the Af
can coast TO arrest savers bound To that island" We adj
wise the Spanish government # they really desire
maintain their territorial rights discharge their political
obligations SO long as they maintain this trade there
will always be not only pretext, but real basis. for
the complaint and expotuaton of tue American govern
ment. So long they deliberately violate their treaties
for its suppression, they will lose that moral support
the European Powers which an American Executive ami
mated by the counsels Of Walker will fnd its chief re-
strsnt against of direct aggression Il may be
true that Spain maintains slavery shape Amer-
ca supports another; but this reasoning carries with
sort Of exoneraon 10 the former for violation of il;
international obligations which perpeuae her
quarrel with the United States and deprive her of
pean sy mJa thy
But the Spanish government, nevertheless has good
right TO take exception to the publication of this intended
overture Oh the part Of the American President The
incidence OF the present deviation from nary course
OF private negotiaton with loud protest against al
legged American injuries and undschargcd Cuban ms
has obviously been accepted by the Spanish Cores In its
most sinister Specification The proposal for the sale
OF Cuba was made by preceding President. was
jected by a preceding Cories 1t IS now renewed with IN
disguised threats and preensious. Mr. Buchanans rea
sobDP on this question IS also sngularly ndefeusbc He
tells Congress that the sale of Louisiana States by
Napoleon, in lS3 not held 20 throw any sur on the
honor OF France, and therefore be insists that Spain
need not be puEclious on the question of selling Cuba
But lie forgets, chooses 10 forget, that Napo-
leon sold LOUISIANA when the renewal then about take
place. Of the French with England rendered IL mpos
sible Tor him TO maintain IT. and ii not less stroke of
policy to make over TO the United States rtory which
would otherwise have fallen into the hands If England
but which, In consequence Of rs cesson England could
not acquire without extending her hosites 10 The peope
Of the United States. The importance of Cuba to the
American government be entertained IN Europe
as defence ct the adoption Of threatening language to
SPAIN and the Court Of Madrid shall be reused by
sense OF the danger Of ITS colonial possessions 10 the dis
charge q ~ obligations respect Of The Afrcar slave
u""e' "ts"H <iH'Jtco V TTete1E JOr ret1itd-
hom, and strengthen It's position Jy The continuance of tie
European Poitegs
The Nonargia Of Madrid OF the 3ls ult the editor of
which having been military secretary to General Santa
Anna, thinks be has acquired considerable knowledge OF
American Affairs says, in reference TO Mr. Buchanans
speech
Our readers may confirmed the prophecies
which vt have 50 often uttered concerning the graspng
policy q ibe North American Union which will not be
contented i IL flag from Canada Patagonia
Rivers Of blood viii doubt flow In Cuba in defence of
that land because the question for Spain above all one
In ~. hIg.a.f
happy event wlcn we shall have 10 depore, Europe
which Will have her hands fun home, will not interfere
excep' IN woros II, therefore, bave nothing oppose
to the pehdy OF enemies but the noble breasts OF
sol1erf, let us be assured that the cunning and the