The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-01-26
CUBA. SPAN, AND TaE uSlrED YsT4rsss

= r Z.
II is more than ten days or fortnight AFRO since
we gave 10 the public the very lengthy document which
proceeded from the American President and which Ia
generally oaifod the Presidents message There were
certain questions touched on, not fully discussed in this
State paper OF more than interest to all diploma
lists and more especially 10 Spanish and Mexican di-
plomatsts One OF these the question of the island
OF Cuban island which it 10 known the United States
government has long been desiroas Of possessing Con-
derng that sbe SEXUAL President OF the United States Is
eminent lawyer and iiplomatist who acquired con
siderable reputation in his embassy to St PeteTsbuTgh
the views put forward this Cuban question BY Mr. Bu
ehanan are singular indeed, may say astounding
Coming from extreme democrat who Is Also strange
TO say friendly TO, If rot partisan Of the execrable
slave trade such views become dangerous as there
may be Possibility OF their being reduced, attempted
TO Ire introduced into actual practice ia day Be
this IL may, however, these cardinal facts appear
tain lst that the United States esgery-we say In
tsn-ey-eoyes the possession of the island OF Cuba Cd
that with view to crafty this longing, the government
OF the United States is prepared to enter into negoti
ton with Spain for the purchase OF the island and Sd
that il this proposition of purchase be not fayoaby
sdered by the Spanish government the United States
government win leave untrcd TO gain terri
tory necessary, it is alleged, To security to her de-
selopinerit, and TO her proper extension. hra
We profess not 10 cite the many words and multi
tudinous phrases in which this monstrous doctrine is
sought to be yelled and veneecd while il is ia pro-
cess OF being claborely Developed With the dexteros
deriphsis and crcumocution OF Mr., Buchanan have
nothing 20 do We merely give the and substance
of this theory, of national law; and considering
that the President r Buchanan aud his principal Sec
Rotary Of State Gen. Cass both distinguished Aiie
can lawyers and men who have filled rst-rate diplomatic
situations ia European counties dangerous we
had almost said detstable, doctrines scarcely
be conceived In TRUTH the principle and system of
this American reasoning were allowed to be acted
unthallengcd, there Is island land or fore
ground contiguous 10 the United States which might not
in like be coveted be sought for by the opera
ton Of forced sale, and failing this alternative, by
forcble annexation by forcibc seizure the right Of
the strongest. 1900 g.se fss,
In this wise own the Danish West India Islands,
parts of Canada of the territory of Russia border
ing America might he longed and ustcd for till fill
busterism had prevailed, not merely international
law but over every poscssory right of the first principles
of equity and justice AS Great Britain and Russia
strong, those who disposed to take having the pow
err pleased also to remember that they should keep
who =; and under these circumstances and Rus
sian territory risk whatever. But with SPAIN
which is not first rate power either by land by sea-
Ii is different. Accordingly not surprised to find
that the message Of the American President has excited
much commotion at Madrid and that New Year s
Day the meeting of the Cortes Senior Uoa required
explanations from the President OF the Council and the
Minister Of War and the Colonies Marshal ODonnel of
what he called .ths and grave insult put upon the
Spanish nation taa
These proceedings OF the Cortes cannot fail 10 Crafty
the friends of order and regular government in every
country in and out of Europe Ideas of general Justice
equity, and safety such proclaimed by o Donne
in harmony with natural law, and ought to be writ
ten the hearts oil all the nations the earth When
any one power rises to point when it prepared to per-
petrate spoliaton under milder and more inocuons
the danger to the Independence OF weak States be-
imminent and real that all nations have right
to unite to defend their common independence This
doctrine maintained by the gentle and Christian Fen
elon in that beautiful tract Exoen dc la Conscience
sur les Devors de Ia Royaue, written for the instruc
ton of his pupil the Duke OF Burgundy. m i,
A nation has no doubt, Also right TO every thing
necessary preservation and for its perfection But