The daily union., 1852-12-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER %, 1882.
SENATE.

/
R,olpsd, Tia, the President Of the United States com
municae TO the Senate, II ia his opnion not Incompatible
with the public interest," copies Of the oical notes re
ceved IRON tue ministers of Fiance and England inviting
th. government OF the United States become party
with Great Britain aud France 10 uipar,e conventions
in virtue Of which the powers should seveely and
collectively discaim and for the iutare all intention
10 obtain oil the island OF Cnbs and shonld bind
themselves dscountenance all attempts that effect
the pai Of every power individual whatever and of
the reply thereto the part of this government referred 10
in his annual message the Two houses oil Congress the
9Th instant Ntt*4 er
| Mr. MASON MIR. President, the subject in regard to
which this resolution calls for information is brought TO
notice IN the annual message OF the President TO both
houses OF Congress al the commencement OF tDs session
The President brings to our notice The invitation which
received from the ministers OF England and France
in rrfeence the island OF Cuba The language Of the
message in regard TO that is quoted in The resolution just
lead; but WI read the sentence which follows:
This invitation has been respectfully declined for rea
sons which il would occupy too much space in this com
municaton 10 state IN detail bat which led me to think
that the proposed would be OF doubta consttu
tionaliiy, lmpolitic, and unavailing"
SO much OF the message is purely narrative-givng TO
Congress information TO the fact The residue OF the
paragraph however, expresses the Judgment OF the Pres
dent upon the subject matter, and viii read II:
81 have, however, III common wh several of my pre-
decessors directed the Ministers OF France aud England TO
be assured tha, the Unied States entertain designs
against Cuba, but that, the contrary, should regard us
incorporation uto the Union at the present iie as ianEh
with sefons peril"
Mr.. Presden if any further evidence necessary
to satisfy this country that the eyes OF the two great
recied, with increasing interest to the relations borne by
The continent Of North America to the island OF Cuba
il would be furnished by The fact disclosed IN The
sage to which this resolution refers The position
winch the island OF Cuba geographically holds to this
continent is such, that almost ever since we became a
nation il has been looked upon with the deepest interest
by all our statesmen. The island of Cuba lies in The
gateway OF the Gulf of Mexico; and all statesmen,
OF every political complexion IRON the foundation OF The
government TO this day, admonsbed thereby that
the vigilance OF this country must never be relaxed in
4
But there is something more, apprehend, which has
led these two great European powers TO make to this
county proposition, which they should have known
when they made it would be declined. They should
have known that sir, because the whole history OF the
political action OF this country would forbid the accept
ance OF such an invitations but they have made it, and
we are informed by the President that II has been de-
cned.
Sir, the for making it under the circumstances
suggested require sees gut to comprehend. Ii has
been the established policy OF this country made known
IN the mos, OPEN frank, and undisgused manner, to all
the powers Of Europe, thai while the island OF Cuba
remained province dependency OF SPAIN we should
interfere with il; but that il any ambitious
grasping poenate should attempt either by rapne or by
treaty. lake the island OF Cuba from the possession OF
Spain, would become this country, cost what might
10 nlepose and TO prevent H. Every country IN Europe
knows that What, then, has led 10 this invitation
Jointly extended by the two great powerful, maritime
nations OF Europe at this imes Mr. President can
trace TO but one cause-a belief the part OF those
governments that there is tendency in the popular mind
in his country 10 take Cuba. and the invitation in
alliance 10 prevent H.
Now, slr, am here free 10 declare, representing as
do section OF he country deeply interested IN the
future relations OF Cuba 10 this coDnent any other.
in my place, a senator from the South and upon my
responsibility as statesman OF America, thai am con-
ten, Cuba shall remain in the possession OF SPAN, unless
1t be acquired IRON her by voluntary cesson her
part unless the people OF Cuba by their act shall
sever nil political connexion with their European mother
and voluntarily propose annexation.
Si, the honor, the dignity the good name OF America
II
ican people, not only that they should not sympaihze
with OF encourage, but that they should indignantly
irown upon and suppress any attempts by violence
any FORM 10 wrest IRON Spain any part OF her posses
sons, whether they be stimulated py political ambition
or by spirit oi speculative maraudiog on the part OF
those who engage in H.
The policy OF this country, as have said, has been an
nounced TO all Europe, Spain is weak power, and il
rs fortunate for and for our peaceful relations with
The continent OF Europe she is Cuba is her properly
as fully, exclusively and entirely her property as Ore
gon or New Mexico rs ours and any attempt whether
made By individuals IN violation OF The laws OF their
county, made by The government In its polite ca
pacily. dismembef Cuba from Spain would larnsh-
forever tarDsh-our national fame.
Sir, know of no safer guarantee for own rights,
our national rights and the rights OF the States in their
sovereign capacity, than uniform and scrupulous
gard 10 the rights OF others But, Mr. President the in.
yIiaon thus given by those two powers acting Ioiny,
proposing on their part tnpare convention OF the
three governments to disclam now aud forever here
after any purpose OF acquiring Cuba by any means,
imports a more enlarged meaning than its language
i should read lis meaning thus: France and England
believe that the possession OF Cuba by the Unued States
would be iraught with consequences injurious them,
and therefore they give us 10 understand by this form OF
communication, that they IN league 10 prevent H.
Now, sir, treating IL thus, have this 10 saywe have
already indicated policy 10 let Cuba alone, and
credly regard the rights OF Spain We know that in
the iuness OF time the fruit will pcn and TALL from the
parent When that lime shall come, it's political
coalition with this continent is inevitable. Interference
by other nations may hasten Tins event. bat the combined
power OF Europe cannot prevent H.
This, SIR, is full and think. inlelligible reply TO
any question OF European interference with the political
Condition OF Cuba
Sir who doubt but that the acquisition OF Cuba
question OF time ln the progress OF empires, IN the
formation of nations. they grow from infancy to youth,
and so 10 manhood Great and powerful country
IA, II is yet in It's youth and II IS OF little moment 10
whether acquire Cuba in this generation or in the
nexi bui come WILL Just certainly that the world
revolves upon its axis.
Mr. President regretted, deeply regretted, see ius,
that the President Of the United States had thought ii
proper upon general call for the correspondence by the
other House, divuge all communication which had
passed between this government and Spain, the sub
lect OF Cuba from It's hfst commencement do not
mean question the motives Of the Presdeniu 80 doing,
but do question his Judgment Whatever il was in
tended TO effect, consequence must be the resuhe
posponement OF the acquisition OF that island to more
distant period than If the correspondence had not been d
vuged and apprehend that u is very upusua IN the
diplomatic intercourse oil nations To bring from the secret
archives where they properly belong matters that have
condentlay passed between two governments, on any
question IN which others hold themselves TO be interested
The administration which has published The correspond
ence il about 20 out of Office. shall make no war
f.x but Iutll lara