The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-05-11
Correspondence of the Boston Wing.
WASHINGTON, April 30, 1913.
PROBABLE ANNEXATION OF YUCATAN-
DEATH OE SENATOR ASHLEY


PROBABLE ANNEXATION OF YUCATAN--
DEATH OF SENATOR ASHLEY.
A very interesting debate sprung up in
the House to-day, in regard to the difficulties
in Yucatan, and the probable annexation of
that government to this. A motion was made
soon after the House convened, to 90 into
Committee Of the Whole on the private cal
ender, as is usual on Friday and Saturday
The motion not being carried, several MESA
ges from the President were, by unanimous
consent, laid before the House by the Speak
err; among them one in regard to the Pensu-
la or State of Yucatan. The President sent
with the message several communications
from the Commissioners now here, and one
from the Governor of the Province, to show
the extreme state of suffering they we're ex-
: posed to at the present time The Indians
were waging a war of determination against
the whites, and it is stated that they spare
neither age, sex, nor condition-tbat tho in
habitants panic striker, and without arms, or
any sufficient means of defence, are flying be-
fore the savage tribes of Indians towards tho
coast, and must ultimately be cxterminated,
unless they can obtain assistance from
abroad.
The Commissioners, on behalf Of their
government, implorc the aid of the United
States to save them from total destruction ::
and rs compensation for so doing, they Of
fer to transfer their government to us, war.
Indians, halfbreeds and all. To spur us up.
to the work, and make their case sure, they
say that they have made similar proposals to-
Spain and John Bull, and more than likclv.
ii we did not acccde TO their demands, tho
latter old gentleman would. The President.
IN his message, seems to be fearful of this re.
suit, and very opportunely quotes a saying of
Munroe, viz: that " We should consider anu,
attempt on tier part (on the part of Eurore}
to eItend their system 10 any portion ot Mi:ss
hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and
sWcty." Mr.. Polk thinks this doctrine ap-.
plies with great force to our present relations
with Yucatan, and hence he wishes Congress
to take the matter into serious consideration.
They did so, that is portion Of the members,
and quite number of speeches were made.
calculated to arouse the sympathies of tho
whole House.
Some of the members would not be caught
with such bait and Mr.. Root of Ohio was
among the number. He made the closing
speech, and ridiculed the idea of the people
OF that country being driven from their
homes he said that gentlemen had unfortu-
nately arrayed themselves upon the wrong
were upon the side of the artistic
Gratis. The mass in Yucatan had been held
IN state OF subsection, of outrageous vassal-
age, and they were now, like the people OF
France, asserting their rights, and driving
their opprosSors from power. He said he
had no doubt but that Lonis Philippe, and his
confederate minister Guizot would have been
highly pleased to make the same proposition
to us-the same appeal to our sympathics
when the people arose there in their might
and majesty, to assert and maintain their
rights. This, said he, is but another farce TO,
acquire territory, and for his part he would
not be taken in. l could see that Mr. Roots
speech produced quite II change among the
members. Their sympathies, when he closed,
were below par, and the matter was finally
referred to the Committee on Foreign Rela.
ions.
The same question CARTE up in the Senate
md MIR. Calhoun spoke with much warmth
'gainst 1t, but during the debate tho news
anne that Senator Ashley was breathing his
asst, and the Senate Immediately adjourned
Senator Ashley died from inflammation of
he bowels. He is from Arkansas and was
n good health on Monday, was taken down
n tuesday, and row is a corpse This
lakcs the tenth death in the present Con-
ress he funeral services will take place,
n Monday. Mr.. Sewer, Senator from tbs
lme State, nbout a month since, resigned
nd took his departure as Commissioner to
lcxico, and Major Borland was appointed in
is place, whose first act in the Senate will
c to announce the death of his colleague
lie high as well as the low are subject to
c power of the fearful messenger, Death.
ut how seldom do mortals heed these re-
lated and solemn provdenccs The bolt
lis, and the tall oak is Frustrated before It's,
'wer, but it passes from the minds of men.
&c vision of the night, and we forget to,
lmber our days and apply our hearts to. wis
NJ. Yours, NORTH,