The daily union., 1852-12-25
The Cuban question In the Senate.

virginia. calling for a copy OF TIE notes addressed DY
France and Great Britain to this government in relation
to the Spanish dominion in Cuba, the occasion of
sudden but most significant and important debate. By
that brief and unprecedented discussion in the Senate Of
the United States impulse and direction impart-
ed 10 the public opinion of this country The speech Of
General Cass with such proprely termed the "Nesor
of the Senate" repete with the highest and sound
est maxims of public policy, while il presented the most
comprehensive survey OF the foreign relations and OF the
future destiny OF this geat republicp Ii will be read
as j. heard, with interest, admiration, and com
mendation, and will triumphany vindicaie the char
of the from the reproach Ito borrow his
own language) either OF freshness or pusillanimy.'
While the counsels Of the Senate guided by such
men as the eminen, statesman from Michigan there need
be no apprehension about either the safely the honor
OF the country.
The speech of Senator Mason Introductory to his reso
luton, every respect worthy the high compliment
of General Cass 1t is, indeed occasion of congra
ulaon to the country, that at this me when 80 many
difficult and delicate questions of foreign intercourse are
upon us, have at the head of the Committee on
Foreign Relations a gentleman well calculated to dis
charge its duties satisfactorily to the Senate and honora
Bile to the country" Apart from the uslre which il will
reflect his reputation, the speech Of Senator Ma
is especially interesting presenting the true demo-
cratic view Of the question ef Cuban annexation. The
honorable senator elevated the question above the low
level of fttusliersm Withdrew from it all considea
tons of cupdity conquest, and put II upon the high
ground of public justice and national necessity In an
to the silly reproach OF fiibustiersm, which tim
id and sold conservatism has attempted bring upon
the democratic party, will cite this speech oil the
honorable senator from Virginia as just and eloquent
exposition of the policy of his party The principles
there announced precisely the principles which this
journal has ever maintained and ii is with peculiar sat
isfaction that find position sustained by SO
eminent an authority
In respect to the publication OF the Cuban correspond
ence, the opinion of Senator Mason is explicit and en-
phalic. He says:
Mr. President, regretted deeply regretted to see us
before we were assembled here at the session. thai
the President OF the United States had thought proper
upon general call for the spondencc by the other
House, TO divulge all communication which had passed
between this and Spain the subject Of Cuba
from its first commence ment do question
the motives of the President doing bat do
his Judgment. Whatever it intended effect one
consequence be the Iesultbe postponement the
acquisition OF that island a distant period than IL
the spondence had been divuged and rppre-
hend that IL is very usual In the diplomatic
OF nations bring from the archives where
they properly belong th have condenay passed
between governments any question In which others
hold themselves be interested The administration
which published the correspondence is about go out
OF office. shall make upon il for what has done
but will say that as far as the acquisition Of Cuba is in
volyed IL has done liuie expedite ~ by dyuging that
Yet the publication may have the lees
injurious effect or the that government deals
but little in secret diplomacy. The ends and objects we
desire attain should be Idly useessly pomuged
but they become So appehend the world will find moth
ing In them which have to blush. Let hou
the information for what IL is worth They all know
the European powers all knownot only the deep
interest whole country feels in the acquisition Of that
island but they know also, that 1t will inevitably become
day Let them have the information for what
il is worth 1t may postpone the acquisitions It cannot
prevent H."
Cannot prevent IT, is the language of the honorable
senator" the combined power OF Europe cannot pre-
vent it," Watching the tendency OF events, and antici
pating the inevitable result, the speaker excaims:
"sr doubt but that the acquisition OF Cuba by
the United States is question Of time ouypurely ques
Of tme' In the progress Of empires in the formation OF
nations, they grow from infancy youth, and so to
hood Great and powerful country is II is yet ~ Its
youth and II is OF lite moment to whether we acquire
Cuba in this generation in the next but come IL w
Just certainly that the world rcvolves upon its axis
This is no purpose Of rapine scheme of conquest,
involved 10 the mystical phraseology OF the manifest
destiny school The honorable senator contcmplaes
the acquisition OF Cuba by compulsory equivocal
means On the contrary he is most explicit and emphatic
in di.clamiug any aggressive designs against it;
Now sir am here free to DECLARE representing as
section of the country deeply interested in the fu
tue relations of Cuba this continent any other, in
my place as a senator from the South, and upon
as statesman OF America, that content
Cuba shall the possessonof Spain unless II
be acquired from her by voluntary cesson her part,
unless people OF Cuba. by their act shs all
political connection with their European mother and vol
unfairly propose annexation
Sir the honor tho dignity, the good name OF Amercs,
fof all time come, demand the hands of the Amer
people, not only they should .ympsthze w,h
encourage but that they should Indignantly own upon
aud suppress any attempts, by violence in any form,
wres from spain any part OF her possssonswhcher they
be stimulated by political ambition, by spirit OF speou
iave raudng tho part OF those who engage in it,
Is thi. fhbu,i,,riuu1 Yet IT is precisely the policy
upon which the democratic party stands. The language
OF Senator Cass is OF the same import. lie says;
Suoh were my sentiments then, and such they
so long Spain retain Cuba, should the island be
come epcndspi truly and honestly hsve right 10
interfere with it. And, for myself, should be willing
dcsirous udeedst any time to purchase OF Spain. and
at liberal extravagant price; but no transfer
another power, either by peace or war; and the resist
such attempt by all the means which God has
given US"
These are the views which to control the policy
OF this country under a democratic administration. A
whg Presidep, may shrink in dread from any extension
of American soil, and may be willing 10 ender the
,nd al C.ha and the NJ Meui~o IN dofun,op