Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-04
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1852.


world is wide enough for both of those journals to
60 through without osling especially their paths
and their objects lie wide apart. The two journals
might it seems to us, well maintain their particular
views and even correct each others errors without
unnecessary acrimony We shall indulge in none
such whilst setting the g Union right upon point
upon which, in the following paragraph, an attempt
is made to put this paper in the wrong:
"CuBA AND THE Polk CABIYEr.-The proposal for the
purchase of Cuba made by presidents POLK is denounced
in no measured terms by portion of the Wing press
The example set by the National Iatgencer, which
threw the insinuation that President Polk exceeded
his constitutional power in proposing the purchase Of Gu
ba The Iehgacer is to the acquisition of Cuba,
under any circumstances and by any and this OBJ
lection is but idle pretext The Ineligener knows
too well that in all negotiations with foreign Powers the
President must take the initiative and that his acts
null and void without the concurrence Of the Senate In
deed, in treaty involving expenditure of money, the
House of Representatives has voice. So that the Pre-
sden could not have concluded treaty for the purchase
of Cuba without the assent Of Congress- nevertheless the
Iyccer represents President Polk to have done very
arbitrary and spdd thing in not securing tha
not have been without the consent of Con-
gress The by which the telgencer attempts to
Justify its position makes its objection still frivolous
and absurd 1t contends that the Senate should have
been consulted because the expenditure of hundred
millions Of dollars involved in the projected treaty,
if the Senate the proper body to consult about the
expenditure of money.
The Union" is quite right in supposing this
paper to be opposed to the acquisition Of Cuba I'M
der present circumstances that is to say under the
known and repeatedly avowed determination of the
Government of Spain not to cede the possession of
that Island to any Power, on any terms. The Ma
tional Intelligencer stands upon the ground taken
by the Wing Administration of Mr. ADAMS and his
distinguished associates quarter of century ago,
and maintained at the present day by the Admins
tration of President FILLMORE. In a word, we
are Of opinion that, independently of the rights Of
SPAIN it is for the interest of the United States that
Cuba should continue to be, as now dependency of
Spain; but that this Government could not, and
would not, consent that the Island should, by
whatever process, pass into the possession of any
other Power.
The Union" differs entirely from US as to the
duty of the President of the United States in such
a case as that revealed TO the Public by the Docu-
ments which have Just now for the first time seen
the light. We did not as the g Union states re-
present President Polk as having " done very ar
bitrary and high-handed thing in not securing the
permission of the. Senate to open negotiation"
&C. What we did say was, by way Of suggestion,
that the vast amount of money involved putting
out Of view all other considerations might well
" have suggested the propriety Of consulting the
" Senate, if not both Houses Of Congress, before
placing 50 vast power IN The hands Of the Minis
" ter to Span
This language was surely guarded enough to ex-
press sentiment, in which, we presume, all men
who are familiar with the structure Of this Govern
ment will concur with US No limit or condition
was attached to the authority given to Minister
in Spain to purchase the Island of Cuba from that
Government, but that "one hundred millions Of
dollars" which " dc President would be willing to
stipulate for the payment of, was the maximum
price. And " to conclude such treaty" said Mr.
Buchanan, 81 transmit you fill poacer"
Aud now to the main purpose for which we have
taken the article of the Union" in hand We
might cite cases even in Mr.. PoLK's own Admin
stration, well as in preceding ones, Of applica-
tons to Congress by the Executive for appropria-
tons of money, or for sanctions BY the SENATE to
negotiations in contemplation BY the Executive.
But we prefer going to the fountain-head, and
thence imbbng the knowledge Of whatwa deemed
necessary and indispensable, by President WASH
NGToS himself, in q case far more imperative than
this Of the proposed purchase Of Cuba; case in
which the liberties and the lives Of citizens Of
this then young Republic, held in bondage by one
Of the Powers Of the Mediterranean were in mmi
nent danger
We SHALL without further remark, place before
our readers the evidence showing what was the
opinion Of the earlier Presidents Of the United
States-the really great men who made the Consti-
tution-as to the respect due by the PRESIDENT Of
the United States 70 he coordinate branches ofhe
Government in matters within their sphere.
We quote from the official record:
IL SENArE.-TUEsDaY, MAY 8, 1892.
written message from the President Of the United
States, By Mr.. LEAR, his Secretary
UNITED STATES May Srm 1892
GenieaeH Of TIE SENATE: II the President Of the United
States should conclude convention treaty with the
Government Of Aicrs for the Of the thirteen
Americans in captivity there, for not exceeding
forty thousand dollars all expenses included will the
Senate approve the sameg or i there any and rhat
greater Or Lesser sa phch they pouid ~ tie limit BE-
yond rhiea h,y rossid moi epProre ne ran'omS
II the President Of the United States should conclude
treaty with the Government Of Agers for the establish
ment Of peace with them at expense not exceeding
twenty-five thousand dollars paid at the signature, and
like be paid annually afterwards during the
tnuance Of the treaty would the Senate approve the