The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-14

pendence for all of Them and the amcabe relations
among themselves and with But determined
so far as depends us, that European family prnc
pies shall come to find an abiding place upon this cont
nent, and to involve wars that do not interest them
the various States which occupy it,
And, thanks to this 'wretched" and miserable" and
| unjust" and trash and pecpitate war;" voice
will now be heard and Needed through the world Yes
sir that thus characterized has shed flood of glory
upon this country which will Tadiae It's history for gen
eraons yet TO come Its cost its cost is daily dinned
into ears though there nothing be gard
ed but money IN the conduct and character OF nations
Il has cost much money! do not deny it though be-
ieve it has been prosecuted with much economy
practicable IN such distant and extensive operations.
regret the COST regret the necessity of the which
led TO it. But should get foot of territory
from Mexico ndemnity-and appearances seem
now TO indicate that infatuated counses may prevail in
hold on to the whole-but if should get one
FOOT as an American citizen, loving my country, and
having to love her, would not sell my share OF
the glory we have acquired Tor many times my share OF
the expense has cost 1t is not mere glory which this
has brought us, though that is of the essential
elements of national power; but it is character, and
distinction, and position and beyond these strength and
safety, Our territory is henceforth holy ground No
hostile foot will pollue it. No foreign power will attack
for long years to come Paadoxical it may appear,
we shall have fought ourselves out OF We were
comparatively unknown Our flag, indeed, every
where the emblem and the evidence OF our commercial
activity and enterprise. But power to defend it was
little UNDERSTOOD might rather say, utterly disegarded
But the great experiment has been made, and take
the earth. The decree has gone forth, and he who
may read it. The entire political separation of this
nent from Europe is not question OF fact but OF time
That event must come, and appearances augur that it will
come speedily We may well leave il to It's fullness
of time without any improper interference part.
! But called upon to make practical app-
cation of the great principle have been considering
The condition of Yuca,an and the considerations
neced with it, bring this subject directly before We
out dschargng the duties which it brings with it, And
we 40 not enforce it, shall expose ourselves to eter
nal self-rePoach and to the contumely OF the world
have already briefly alluded to the condition of Yucca
tan. Its civilized population placed not between the
and the frowning battlements which drive back
and where no human being can lives but between the
and ruthless barbarans, possessing little
as the into which they driving their wretched
victims 1t is one of those great in human affairs
which override all other considerations Yucatan has
right go where she cam with her sovereignty in her
hand and demand protection from the powers of the
earth, and offer her own allegiance in return for it. She
has gone to England and to Span and she has come to
us. She prefers action to THEIRS but il she cannot
get the one, she must accept the other As Span any
effective aid any design of aggrandizemen is probably
equally out of the question: and we have England alone
to look to in the solution OF the question presented to
do act will she render the assistance demanded
and accept the consideration which may accompany il
That she may do without giving us any just of
offence whatever and thus accomplish her mission with
out being involved in any controversy with us,
clear to be called in question Interest, therefore, and
humanity we'll the principles which from all time
have regulated her political conduct prompt her accede
to the demands OF the government OF Yucaan The dis
tngushed senator from South Carolina Mr.. CAL
HoUNl thinks she will not but whether he to
this conclusion from the facts in her past history from
the circumstances OF herpresent position 1t seems to
it is erroneous and unsafe
shall not enter into any review Of the system of Eng
sh acquisition. shall briefly alude to the subject
the spirit OF though indeed there is too often
enough for that feeling, but merely TO recall the
principles OF her policy and to Judge what she will do
Kentucky INF CRIrTENDENl asks, and with some en-
phasis ,oat England aoants of such barren country
Yucatan2 ask him. in return, what she wants of such
barren rocks Gibraltar and St Helena and Aden and
all the other barren rocks and sets, and positions which
she has seized, and now occupies through the world!
Why, sir, they towerssome OF them watch towers
and others towers of saetyupon that wall of circumval
ation thus beautifully designated the other day by the
honorable senator from, Mississippi Mr. DAvIs,] with
"h M f r. VIII hf T ss honorable senator
| 'ow me to make an inquiry?
Mr.. CASS. Certainly
tell me-for | am uniformed and ignorant upon this
poin-how a man OF war seventyfour gun ship
can approach the promontory of Yucatan!
Mr.. CASS. intended to advert 10 the subject
neced with the inquiry of the honorable anoh-
part of my remarks but will now anticipate it. The
application of power to armed vessels has intro
duced improvement which may occasion entire
change in naval warfare. 1t Is difficult to foresee
its consequences, the effect may hereafter produce
One thing however, is certan-tha armed steam vessels
of and draught suitable to the navigation they
designed to encounter, will take decisive part in naval
operations Depos for fuel become therefore, of para
mount necessity for commercial nations Without them
their steam navigation will be circumscrbed and inef
Gent With them to furnish the supplies required TO
vessels they call for them, the world may be cir
COMMUNICATED and steam power everywhere used. Now,
sir have places of deposite anywhere but at home
and England has them everywhere. She has selected
her positions for that purpose with that foresight which
marks her characters and she will keep them all times
supplied with abundance of necessary fuel The advan
tag she will derive from this system of policy suf
GENTLY obvious; and we must depend upon energy
to meet them best can when the proper time
Now, sir if England possesses the promontory of Yucca
tan and the island OF Cuba she will build steam vessels
suitablet the harbors which may be found there
sells of light draught of water but carrying few heavy
guns, and capable of commanding the outlet OF the gulf
floating batteries, in fact, almost equal in efficiency to
permanent batteries ready to be stationed in the narrow
channel and completely to command it.
| Mr. CRITTENDEN. The honorable gentleman has
not answered my question: Again would inquire
whether there is any port in Yucaan into which seven
ty four enter?
| Mr. CASS. | am aware, sir, that the water in the
neghborhood of Yucatan shallow and there places
where large vessels cannot approach within miles
of the land But repeat, that this consideration be-
comes comparatively unimportant when look to the
ture of the vessels which will be employed, and upon the
protection they will find even upon a shallow coast
| Mr. CRITTENDEN. Again ask the honorable SEN
ator how seveny-four gunship approach the
promontory OF Iucatan
| Mr. CASS Mr. President, cannot give direct and
professional answer to the question OF the honorable sen
ator Our maps of Yucaan mperfect and how near
ships the line can approach It's coast do not know
But beg the senator to recoect that government in
its Senses possessing the point of Yucatan, and the OPP
noSite pont of Cuba would employ heavy ships of the.
line permanently to command the channel between them
1t would employ vessels OF light draugh but of
treat power which might find protection the various
nlets TO be found there IN looking at the eastern point