Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-03
DEMOCRACY AND EXPANSION.

The Baltimore Herald in an article UNI
der tho caption "a Democratic record on
expansion''-tha is. expansion by the an
nexation Of foreign territory-says that
there was a time when that party was
by no means welded TO the isolation
theory. In adducing proof of this, our
Baltimore contemporary proceeds to print
some history i'm ,he shape Of the Cuban
resolutions, adopted respectively by the
two Democratic conventions which met
in that city in 1860 The resolution Of the
Douglas and johnson convention read:
Resolved. That the Democratic party
are in favor of the acquisition of the Is
land Of Cuba on such terms as shall be
honorable TO ourselves and just TO Spain.
That of the Breckenridge and Lane con-
vention was as follows;
Resolved, That the Democratic party
are I'm favor of the acquisition Of the Is
land of Cuba on such terms as will be
honorable to ourselves and just TO Spain
ut the earliest practicable moment"
Our Baltimore contemporary then re-
marks that from this it appears that the
Democratic party was not always op-
posed to the principle Of expansion, and,
continuing. makes this statement:
"Of course, the influences which domi-
mated the Democratic party at that time
are well understood. The same motive
which had impelled the absorption OF
Texas was at the bottom of the Cuban
plank of 1860. The domestic institution OF
slavery was at the pinnacle OF its lusty
growth and was covetous of new terri
tory for it's more potential development.
MI l. oil RIGHT a Z
far as II has gone. but we think that, II
1t will go back a little further it will find
that its conclusion is hardly warranted.
In order 10 an understanding of the true
inspiration of Democratic departure In
1860 from the principle of isolation" we
must look to the Ostend manifesto and
che causes that led TO its issue, The Os-
tend manifesto was drawn up by James
Buchanan. John y. Mason, and Pierre
Soule our ministers TO England, France,
and spain, respectively. Two of these
were southern men and the other north
ern man. The manifesto reprobated in
the strongest terms the African slave
trade. which was permitted by Cuba, and
contained this. among other declarations:
After we shall have offered Spain
price for Cuba lar beyond its value, and
this shall have been refused, IL Will be
time TO consider the question Does Cuba,
in the possession OF Spain. seriously en-
danger our internal peace and the exist
ence OF our cherished Union? Should this
question be answered in the affirmative
then by every law human and divine we
shall be justified in wrestling II from Spain
upon the very same principle that would
Justify an individual in tearing down the
burning house Of his neighbor, If there
were no other means of preventing the
destruction Of his own property.
We should be recreant TO our duty, be
unworthy OF our gallant forefathers, and
commit base treason against our pos
terity should we permit Cuba 10 be Afri'
canized and become second San Do
mingO with all OF its attendant horrors
10 the white race. and suffer the flames
10 extend 20 our own neighborng shores,
seriously TO endanger or actually con-
sumo the fair fabric OF our Union"
Al the time the manifesto was issued
the conditions in Cuba threatened 10
eventuate In the establishment OF a black
republic on the island, the influence of
which II was feared might. os has been
well said have transformed our Gulf
STATES, at least. into hell upon earth"
Despite ihe pfonouncement IN the mani
festo against the slave trade, the Repub-
lcans Ia their national convention OF
lkJs denounced the document In unmea-
sured terms. and while the Democratic
national platform did not champion II in
words. the party nominated for Presi.
dent and elected Mr.. Buchanan. The ac-
ton OF the Democracy I'm 1850 In advising
the acquisition OF Cuba by purchase was
IN sense sequel TO the ostend confer
enee. and we must go deeper than de-
NE to "dsvelop" slavery In order to ex-