Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2)Curtis, George Ticknor
History
Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2)
Curtis, George Ticknor
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
exists as to the purport of the Aix la Chapelle letter; and that
the policy therein declared by Mr. Buchanan and his associates, is
identical with that which has uniformly been regarded and avowed
as the policy of the United States in respect to the Island of
Cuba. And a belief endeavored to be inculcated, that the policy of
the Ostend conference was adopted in consultation or co-operation
with the Red Republicans of Europe, is equally erroneous. This
belief has originated in another supposition equally unfounded,
that Mr. Soulé was in league with the leaders of the European
revolutionary movement. The truth is, that fundamental differences
existed between the policy of Mr. Soulé and Mazzini, Ledru Rollin,
Kossuth, and Louis Blanc; and besides which fact it is well known
that these revolutionary leaders themselves were agreed only upon
one point, the necessity of revolution, and that they seldom speak
to one another. The policy of the revolutionary party of Europe in
reference to Cuba was this. They desired the United States to
assist the Democratic party of Spain in creating a revolution at
Madrid, which should dethrone the queen, and place the Democratic
party in power, by the establishment of a republic, and then leave
Cuba at her option to either remain a portion of the Spanish
republic, or seek annexation to the United States. This concession
to the United States was to be in return for material aid
furnished in effecting the Spanish revolution. The revolution thus
accomplished was intended to be the initiative of further
revolutions on the Continent. The Pyrenees range of mountains
which forms the boundary line between France and Spain are
populated on either side by the most liberal men in either empire,
the great mass of the inhabitants being Republican; and could a
republic be established in Spain, the Pyrenees would not only
furnish points from which to begin their revolutionary designs
against France, but would form a barrier behind which they could
defend themselves against any attack which Louis Napoleon might
make. The revolution accomplished in France, Kossuth and Mazzini
would have but little difficulty in overthrowing the power of
Austria in Hungary and Italy. Such were the objects which the
revolutionary leaders of Europe had in view in endeavoring to
secure the influence of the United States Government in support of
their policy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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