The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1859-02-23


ratihcatlonS did not occur; was delayed, in fact
by ore hivolOuS pretext after another, br al
most or quite two years. President Monroe
was provoked to the last degree, and in his an
nusl message ofDecemler, 1919 recommended
that Congress should authorize him 70 take pos
session o. the eeded territory as though the
treaty had been ratified. These acts are well
narrated By Mr.. Branch. ofNorth Carolina, IN
the report Of the House Committee on Foreign
Afairs. He has truly depicted, also, the char
tc.er ofour relations with Spain for the last ten
or twelve years:
Nothing can he more irritating to an indie
pendent and spirited nation, or bttter calcula-
ted TO precipitste collision than to have such
VIst and delicate interests as our most impor
tant coastwise intercourse compelled to pass al
most within hail Of foreign iOrtiiications, and 10
run tho gauntlet Of alien fleets. Hence, our re-
,lItions with Spain are constantly offs semi hos
tile character. and our Minister at Madrid can
do little else than wrangle with the Government
to whhh he is accredited about high handed
outEases and patty grievances inflicted u[on oar
citzsnS, which Spanish officials in Cuba are ar
med with full power to nh ct but none TO re-
dress"
The Senator from New Yoik tMr SEWARD
declares that a proposition to Spain for the ces-
sEion ofCuba, Hill be grave insult and ore which
huS tuuSt anu Will IcSeHts ne auuuCcSi III plpOl
tho report Of certain very high toned speeches
Of the Spanish Minister and others, lately de
liverel in the Cortes at Madrid. How such
proposition, expressed in polite language, can
be construed ss an insult OF indignity, altogeth.
er exceeds my comprehension. 1t is easy for
him who seeks an insult, at any time TO be in
suited; otherwise, the Spanish Minister has
rendered himself quite ridiculous. An insult
10 propose that Spain should cede to Us, for
money or any other consideration colony as
remote from her, and as near to our boundaries,
as the Island Of Cubal 1t was not an insult, nor
received as such eleven years ago, in Mr.. Polk'S
time. Really, sir, Spain would seem to have
learned new point Of honor since February
q %, 1919, when she listened to such proposition
in regard to Florida and even accepted it-tbus
pocketing the insult and the money together
Did Napoleon Bonaparte understand when he
Was insulted? If so, hear what Mr. Jefferson
said to him.
h II should suppose that all these consdera-
tions might, in some proper form, be brought
into view Of the Government Of France. Though
stated by Us, it ought not to give offense; be-
cause we do not bring them forward as a mem
ace, but as consequences not controHabie by us,
but inevitable from the course of things We
mention them, not as things which we desire
by any means but as things we deprecate; and
we beseech a friend to look forward and to pre-
vent them for our common interests"
3 Bonaparte discovered no insult in this, and
felt no dishonor in ceding to US, for money, the
whole province OF Louisiana. Surely, sir, the
terms ofntercourse between him and US hall
century ago, when he was at the zenith ofpow-
er and spendor and we were struggling with in
hntile helplessness. are good enough for us to
adopt, in present circumstances, toward the
Anaptch Minister nrt thu mi Of nj her
nation If such terms be construed into an
otisnse, and especially where ofense has been
dsclaimed, let those who would be prouder
than Napolean, whether Spaniards or others,
show us whereon their pride is founded
We are admoni$hed, also, that Great Britain
and France will not suffer us to acquire the
Island of Cuba. Said the Senator from New
York, Mr.. Seward;1
Heretofore, Spain has held the Island ofCu-
ba in the midst of conflicts between the tWo
great PoWers Of Western Europe, England and
France, liable to lose it to one or the other be-
ligerant at any moment. To day, England and
France are not only allies, but they are united
in the policy of maintaining Spain the enjoy
ment of the Island ofCuha and Porto Rico, the
last remnants other once worldwide empire.''
Well, sir, Great Britain and France have nc
legitimate concern with the question; their bu
tic; and, unless they are anxi lou for controver
sy with us, they will abstain from all inerfe
renee. lfthere be one maxim to which our ma
tioual honor is pledged; a maxim delivered tc
US time and again by the oracles OF revolution
ary wisdom; it is that the European systtm o
dictation by soyereigns to each other, shall new
er be extended to this Continent. Whenever
We yield that, under any menace or apprehen
sion the day OF our greatness will decline
we shall have become SO ar cGrruIt ted by
wealth, so indolent and effete, that our lib
critics are at the mercy of him who will seiz
them, and our Republic will soon pass into his
tory forever. ~
Twenty five years ago, on the I'd of Decem
Der, 1928, President Monroe addressed Con
gress in these memorable words:
1.-THE political system ofthe allied Powers
essentially different in this respect from tha
of America. This difference proceeds from tha
which exists in their respective Governments
And to the defense Of our own, which has bee
achieved by the loss ofso much blood and trea
sure and matured by the wisdom of their mos
enlightened citizens, and under which we hav
enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole natio
Is devoted. We owe it, therefore, TO cando
and to the amicable relations existing betwee
the United States and those Pow, RS, to declar
that we should consider any attempt, on the
part, to extend their system to any portion
this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace an
safety"
These words, uttered in the time OF our CON
paratve feebleness with no such elements
prosperity as now fill our gaze on every sid
suHiced to deliver Mexico and Central an
South America from the dominion of Europe
an alliance. Will their emphatic repetition
day deliver Central America and Mexico an
Cuba from the dominion of a European alliant
which now threatens them? Mas! sir, kno
not; but do know that, according as PreSider
buchanan shall enforce at every hazard, or sha
shrink from. the doctrines proclaimed by Nj
Monroe, IN December, 1928, so will his Admi
istratiGn be one Of the most glorious or II
meanest, in all the annals ofour empire.
1t is quite probable that Great Britain ar
France will resist even to the uttermost, OF
endeavors to acquire Cuba, or to extend OF
boundaries in any direction. Wien speak
France however, speak not of our ally in a,
cient time. That France no longer exists; h
kride and her liberties were betrayed, togethe
in the very house OF confidence; while Il
France of whom I now Speak--the France
Louis Napolcon---like petty German state, su
sidized for the occasion, merely executes u
designs aud contributes to the grandeur OF IN
monarchy, which, from the earliest period, b
attempted, but never before accomplished, h
entire humiliation. With Great Britain, s
and Grear Britain fortified by the addition
French valoF and arms, we munst hencefor
contends contest not only Tor predt mnar
over this continent, but for preaominance al
fame throughout the world and for ages
come. The elements of an issue so fearful Cai
fearful indeed ,it is) have been gathering, siler