Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25

Mdebate by the unusual manner in which il was ini-
nad and still more by the fight which II took; and
ironhat character il not in power TO divest H.
And il might strange if not omnous that ], in
comm with many of my friends who sit this side OF
the chaAer and who may be presumed to feel as imme
alate any sensitive an interest in the subject which
brought North should abstain from all participation in
~, ~ mas Zen deemed advisable that should say Few
words In eNanation Of our course.
The sube and the debate which it has given rise TO-
sprang uponus this morning most Unexpectedly. Nell
Their nor aar as could ascertain, any of the friends
VINO surrountme had the least knowledge that they
would be bronht forth and it will have struck you,
Mr.. PRESIDENT it struck every other member OF the
Senate that theinteress involved in both were OF the
most serious magnitude and import and such as we could
hardly be presuud to be willing to speak of but In the
most temperate an measured terms considering that the
position which weat present occupy as party before
the country and bepre the world would hardly admit Of
single word being uttered by in that connexion which
would not be deemed pregnant with meaning and signi
fcancy.
Well sir we would deprecae at this juncture particu
ar that we had to encounter such exgences OF debate
as might hurry into ungarded expression OF sent
ment with reference to grave subject. We wii IKE
to meet it, sir, with becoming prudence, though not
without considerable degee Of freedom but we will
also wish to meet 1t with wellmaured and possible
with weconcerted judgment. 1t may be all well for
the two Senators who addressed themselves to the ques
ton from this side Of the chamber to have INDUCED US
thus early and, through us, tie country with dsclo-
sure Of their sentiments and views The honorable Sena
tor from Virginia had full leisure while preparing his re,
consideration which his ponderous mind has bestowed
upon it; and the Senator from Michigan who followed
him had it would seem, the privilege Of being apprzed
in time of the movement which was to be made here this
morning and thus Of being furnished with ample oppor
tunities for preparing himself may form any judg
ment from the strkngy elaborate character OF his re-
marks and from the memorandum out Of which he helped
himse tha' ne r-@sent them in that peculiar and
taking way of his which eminenny his
productions. But we who enjoyed of those advan
tages will naturally wish for time to mature thoughts
At m
will desire to the question stands, without
awaiting what communications it may please the Execu
tive to send US 1t will not require very deep to
guess what the character Of those communications will
be. And may not fairly the Senators whohaye
preceded us approach the obvious question which they
involve without them! ask leave to the motion
just withdrawn by my friend from California, postpone
the consideration of the resolution Tuesday of the week
after next.
Mr.. BUTLER. Isuppose that the State of South Caro-
lima, not being than three four days from
Cuba cannot be Indifferent to this question The topics
involved In the discussion are very important They deal
with of the most important and delicate questions that
affect the desnies of this country; and my
stituents would not perhaps be satisfied if not at
least, to take part in such discussion this.
not prepared into the debate The Sena-
tor from Virginia, being chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Relations has perhaps very properly made his
remarks; but since the debate has assumed altogether
character unexpected it would not be right that other
Senator's equally interested in the question should not
have an opportunity of mingng tributary at least to
the great current of public opinion which is to be made
by the debate If this country be influenced by pub
lie opinion let all, who have opinions, have oppor-
tunity of pouring tributaries into the stream When
debate Of this kind up, think it ought to arise
upon some question upon which we can all deliver our
sentiments am deeply interested in this matter re-
present State to Cuba than any other unless it
be the State of Florida This does not however, to
be fit occasion go into that subject but must take
the liberty Of saying that If this debate continues it
not be expected that we shall be entirely silent
Mr. MASON. have no desire in the world to curtail
this debate, discourage it. If the honorable Sena
tor from South Carolina supposes there is any desire
part the part of other Senator to prevent
the fullest and most elaborate debate gentlemen may
think proper, am not informed Of any such purpose
Sir would have given notice Of my intention 10 intro
duce this resolution had supposed that would involve
debate before the information received The mat
ter simply thus Two days ago. think, occurred
to that it would be proper to call for the correpon
dence mentioned in the Presidents message aud con-
ferred frequently do, with the honorable Senator
from Michigan who snow the Nesor Of the Senate espe
ciay in matters of foreign relations, and informed him
Of my purpose asked him tho same tire whether
he thought would be proper for preface the resp
luton before the vote taken by very few remarks
which have made, confined to that subject, and that
alone He told he thought it would be proper, and
that he would avail himself Of the occasion to make
remarks beg Senators believe that had desire
to bring debate Unexpectedly upon them. did not
suppose the resolution would lead TO any extended
debate.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. When came into the Senate
chamber this morning did dream Of making any
marks this any other subject and the remarks which
have inflicted the Senate purely the result Of an
alluson of the gentleman from Michigan on the
subject of progress which had been banded between
during the last session and thought il fit
sion to give him my ideas Of human progress, and
did so.
have not said word about the question of annexing
Cuba have said nothing about tsmportance its dsad
vantages to the country but my people have deep
interest perhaps Louisiana and South Carolina in IT,
And allow me TO that my people very intimately
connected now and will be very shortly, both
with South Carolina and the States of louisiana
they have long been with Louisiana herself If this
debate is to 20 on, should like very much hear the
gentlemen representing South Carolina and Louisiana
and the other Southern States upon it. would like to
call their attention to the influence which this
ton may have the trade between Kentucky and their
States and to the trade between those States and Cuba
Heretofore Of Kentucky have been in the habit Of
supplying ourselves with rice, and other Southern
productions from the lower Mississippi If you
Cuba she will want great many Of horses, mules
hogs and other productions and If you will give the
cheap communication Of which have spoken, from the
mouth Of the Ohio down to Cuba free Of duty every body
will what immense changes and what deep effects
will grow Of that state Of things both in reference to
the trade Of Kentucky with Louisiana for her productions
and with South Carolina for her productions.
Now, without committing myself-for have not dis
cussed this view Of the subecn regard TO these mpor
tant matters for they Of great Importance have
merely thrown out these suggestions in the hope that the
representatives Of South Carolina and Louisiana who wish
to make speeches-and shall give them opportunity
to do so by my votew take into consideration these
vital questions Of internal trade wish them consider
what will be the effect Of opening Of trade
by the annexation Of foreign territory That such
alton would be very efficient for good for evil
plainly but whether the good the evil will predomi