Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-02-25
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY IS. 1858.

More than twenty-five hunuIeu years aSo
this same subject of territorial expansion
by forcible conquest of the Island Of Sicily,
was brought under the consideration Of the
Democracy of Athens, and the arguments
used by the advocates of the measure. in sub
stance, very nearly resemble the arguments
now used in the United States by those who
are ready to 90 to war for the acquisition OF
Cuba.
The question of sending n great naval ex-
petition to Syracuse for purposes OF con-
unest was warmly debated in the assembly OF
the Athenian people Foremost among the
advocates of Expansion was the brilliant.
versatile, fascinating, but proGigate AICi-
Blades.
Athens he said, chad originally acquired
her empire by a readiness to interfere where
ever che was Invited; nor would she have
made any progress if she had been backwards
or prulish in scrutinizing such invitations.
She could not nor st limits 10 her imperial sacoy
she was under a neccsity not merely to retain
her present subjects, but to lay sndres for net0
sabjects. on pain of falling into dependence
herself if she ceased to be imperial.
The stqtionary and UlaotiUe policy recommended
by NICIAs was not less at variance with the
temper, than with the position of Athens, and
would be ruinous to her if plrsued. Her
military organization would decline, and her
energies would be wasted in internal rule and
c1nfct instead of that steady activity and
acquisition which had become engrafted upon
her laws and habits, and which could not be
now renowned, even if bad in itself, without
speedy destruction"
But this policy of indefinite. limitless ter
ritorial expansion, under the plea of "neces-
sity," so earnestly advocated by ALCIBtADEs,
encountered the strongest opposition from the
prudent, wise, and patriotic NIcIAs, who
GEMS to have had a presentiment that an at
tempt on the part o. the Athenians to acquire
Sicily by force of arms would result disas-
trously and calamitously to themselves" Iii
his address before the people, in opposition
to the measure, turning towards ALclBIADEs
h said: "If any man, delighted TO be named
to the command, though still too young for it,
exhorts you to this expedition in his own
selfish interests, do not let such man gain Co.
lebrity for himself at the hazard OF the entire
city. Be persuaded that such persons are
alike unpi incipied in regard to the public
property, and wasteful as to their own, and
that this matter is too serious for the rash
counsels of youth. | trcmble when | see be-
fore me, this band sitting.b previous concert,
close to their leader in the assembly; and ]
in my turn exhOrt the elderly men, who are
near them, not to he shamed out of their OPP
position by the fear of being called coWards.
Let them leave 10 these men the ruinous APP
petite for what is not within reach, in the
conviction that few plans ever succeed from
passionate desire; many, from deliberate fore
sight. Let them vote against the expedition"
From his advanced age and large political
experience, one would expect to see exempli-
fed in Mr.. BUCHANAN the prudence and wis
dom of Nicias rather than the rashness and
unscrupulousness of Alcibiades, and that, like
Nicias, under like circumstances, he would
be found exhortng the ''eldcrly men" of the
country not to be shamcd out of their Oppo-
ton to going to war for the acquisition of
Cuba, by the fear of being called " towards"
of conduct so becoming on his part, we be-
hold our aged President, his hair white with
the frosts of more than three score and ten
winters, affecting all the impetuOsity and
recklessness of youth, and denouncing as
''cowards'' those OF his countrymen who doubt
the policy of indefinite expansion, or who are
opposed to a systematic agitation ito prepare
the hearts of the people" for war with
Spain for the acquisition of Cuba, followed as
such war would be certainly by a collision
with France, Sand probably Great Britain, as
the allies of Spain.
If let alone, Cuba will, in due time, fall
into the possession of the United States, in
the natural course of events-lairly, AMIGA
bly,, honorably --without war or violence. or
the expenditure of one 1.-THE of the cost of its
forcible acquisition, to say nothing OF the sea
of blood which would be Occasioned by such
attempted acquision on our part.
The reader of Grecian history is familiar
with the long train of disasters and final ruin
which their policy OF expansion" rs Illus
tlated in the fatal expedition TO Syracuse,
people of the United States learn moderation,
and forhearancc, and wisdom from the light
which history throws upon the experience of
the past. Our country is no danger of being
overrun and conquered, as Athens was, after
the losses she sustained in consequence of her
ill-fated attempt upon Sicily. We can hold
and successfully defend our territory against
all the world. But from a war with Spain,
undertaken from party exigencies and lust
for territorial acquisition from such a war,
in which France aud England may Ice count
cd upon as likely to participate on the side
of Spain, consequences unforeseen now, but
calnmitous in a high degree to Us asa nation,
may possibly result.
When Spain shall be willing to sell Cuba,
this county will be willing aud ready 10 buy.
But the agitation for its acquisition now, un-
der the prctense of Il purchase, in the face
of the recent indignant declarations on that
subject by the Spanish people, speaking
through all the departments Of their govern
ment, is most discrcditable, michievous
party movement; calling for prompt and un-
equivocal manifestations of the public repro
baton.
GEOtc, Vol. !, P ISS.
gff@ The article which we republsh from
the Richmond Enquirer. shows that the sham
democracy OF the ''old dominion Is already
shivering in its boots, at the prospect of
defeat. Virginia, the mother Of JEFFERSON,
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