The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-02

nod Mr.. DoVokAey q At0@0ess - oese(Ufo4ae0 "
- Central Amuiewn 1resfy eoaetsdfd ssstA
Great Br,t.i. ~ ~ 1914 ~ april. 1880.
MIR. DousLAs having replied 10 Mr.. CLAYTON.
and Mr.. BvrLla having spoken-
Mr. CLAYTON sAid: The Senator rom SCUM I.n
Carolina (Mr. BurLxa) will rseollect how this
a &C ass on in open session was forced upon ms IL
vas introduced here by the member from Illinois.
(Mr. DoueLAs,) on tue 18Th o! ieorosry, ana vas
can,e the Senate permitted the attack to be made
in open session. wish no cohceaiInent, and do
NOT mean 10 permit the member from Illinois to
esoans an ex posture in pubic OF the MEASUREMENTS
ns bas publicly made. He shall not avoid the
notice Of his changes Of position, by charging
the same things on me-
The Senator from South Carolina Justly con-
ai,isrs that treaty 20 absurd GA lie Own lace,
th.f no President would have been justified IN
snhmittinr il to the Senate for rattle anon. Such
a course would have implied his appreciation Of it.
In the event that England had refused all our pro-
nosals for an co aal right OF passage, he have
sent IL to the Senate, If he had deemed il expedi-
emit, TO ascer, ain whether his constitutional advis
era desired an exclusive privilege to DO acquired.
But il could not possibly have in any event been
confirmed, without SO changing ii a. to make
entirely new treaty.
The Senator from Illinois has not ventured to
deny that the treaty WAS unconstitutional ms ii
stood. He evades that point, because be knows be
cannot defend his favorite Hise treaty a consu-
tut ional measure for a moment. He dared not at
tempt TO defend il after had exposed it, Yet he
had committed himself in favor of 1t by at least
I'VE eiectioGserinS speeches iast Summer,
fone of which he made and published at Rlca-
Inond,) and by his speeches here in the Senate
often, that be knew not how to retreat without dis
credit. When i read bis Hise treaty to the Senate,
il not only shocked the honorable Senator from
South Carolina, who has just given uterance to bis
feelings, but will venture 10 cay II astonlshed
nearly every other Senator present, that any man
should have been SO reckless as to maintain Tor
ysars pase that such treaty should have been sent
20 the Senate for confirmation. Nov ne ia driven
by the exposure made here to desert every thing
he said in favor OF it before, with this solitary
exception that il is in favor of the sIeIsscs prtvt
Lage provided tor in IT. A II bis declama ton In its
favor hns ended in that.
Sir, il was not only Objectionable the ground
that il a violation of the Cons,itutiou, but
the ground that it was a gross political and en-
tangling alliance. The very rsmarks which the
Senator mas made often in opposition 10 the treaty
which Mr.. Sauier negotiated, and the treaty OF the
18th OF Aori 1850. lie, in justice with all their
force, to the treaty of Mr.. Hss; but not Of
them had any justice whatever when applied TO
the treaties to " hich he has objected Neither of
them provided for any political come xIon or en-
tnngEng alliance.
/ quoted, on a former occasion .sihe names of
some of the moot distinguished statesmen Of this
country, In favor OF the principle which had
adopted Of opening lhe right oil way TO all nations
on tbs terms; that ia, on condition of protec
ton FROM all. But the Senator will be satisfied
with nothing bot an exclusive right or monopoly
vested in he misrepresents tho contract OBJ
tanned by American citizens, and intended 10 be
protected by the treaty of MIR. Squisr, when be
says that grant was grant to English and Ame-
ricsn capitalists. II was grant to the American
capitalists.
Mr. DoueLAs. The Senator misunderstood me.
did not speak Of the specific terms OF the treaty Of
MIR. Squisr, for the reason that the injunction OF
secacy has not yet been removed, slthougn saw
come papers friendly TO tie Senator putting some
ssctions of il ia the paper.
Mr.. CLAYTON. What papers!
Mr.. DOUGLAS A New York paper did it the other
day | only spoke of the general terms used by
a rnnlrs nad n np No n
But W hen said that il opened to En gland and to
us Jointly, spoke of the Senator having provided
for that in the Clayton Bulwer treaty.
Mr. CLAYroS. The whole contract protected BY
the Souier treaty of which | speaking, was
published two years ago, and ia Ia document
before Congress
Mr. DoueLAs was speaking of the treaty.
DIR. CLAVroN. Then why did you interrupt me3
You knew | was speaking of the contract or grant,
and not of the treaty The substance OF the treaty
was published long ago. Ii has been published at
least two years. and there 10 not any thing IN 1t
the grant ahoat partnership between European
and American capitalists.
Mr.. DoUaLAs Will the Senator say that the
squisr treaty has been published by authority
Mr. CLAYTON. No, sir; but you know the sub
stanSs of il was published long ago, and the in
iunctioc of secrecy has long since been taken off
the treaty OF the l9sh of April 1850, which dis
closes the priEciple of both. The Senator has
shown that he has not the sghess dItf Guilty in
spes king of either OF these treaties, or OF any
thing con ected with either OF them. -
The Senator presents new issues for discussion,
and chsnges his ground in his reply But mean
to bring him back TO the points from which be
seeks escape. He has not attempted In MS reply
to fasteu On me, he endeayorcd 10 do ia the be-
ginning of the debate, and DE did In his speech
of tina IAN Of February, the charge thatl had. IN
negotiating the treaty of the 10TH of April, 1850,
aonegats6, he expressed II, the Monroe doc
triue. No, sir; he has abandoned that, and ne
will not yenturs to touch it sgoin. He has good
reason to shun it, for it burnt his fingers. He has
ALL IL. ar fstr4s r1h o
uttered on the subject. He beats retreat.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. No, sir; the Senator ia mistaken.
Mr.. CLAYros. Then he is not willing to retreat,
after he has become total silenCed on the subject,
ard ceases TO make battle.
Now a word AZ to his favorite exclusive priv-
Iepe If We had il, it would involve IA in contro
yersies W ith all other nations, and would prove
curse instead of blessing In the event OF a war
between this country and any great naval power,
the canal would be seized The Senator fears no.
thipg-oh no, not hel He would fOrtfy il at both
ends! Yes, sir; build fort at both ends fort
az San Juan de Nicaragua, and tort on the Paci
nc. and then we must garrison them, ind keep
standing army therel How many soldiers would
il take to garrison fortress, if England and
France or either of them, sboud go To war with
us2 How many would the Senator have at San
Juanp-how many on the Pacific? Does he suppose
that any force that this country could possioly
send there, at that distance from "a, could resist
the other great powers Of the world, IN war? he
IA fond of Boosting land love to hear tit Is quite
aattering) that we giant republic; and the
senator himself ia said TO be ''little giant"
laughter yes sir, quite giant, and every thing
snat he talks about in these latter days 10 gigantic
TLauyhter.I He has become 30 magnificent OF
late that ne cannot consent TO enter into partner
ship on equal terms with any nation on earth
not hel He must have ths exclusive right In him
self and noble selves We must oacn the canal.
Why not demand the same exclusive privilege at
GIBRALTAR What 10 the difference in principle
Why should we not seek 60 obtain the exclusive
right of passa ge into the Mediterranean, ell
the passage across the Isthmuso
Mr. DOUGLAS. Will the Senator permit me -
Mr. CLAYroN. IF he is anxious 10 make more
remarks, / am willing to hear him when have
done.
Mr. DOUGLAS. / do not wish to interrupt the
Senator; but understand him to ask me, and looh
for an answer.
Mr. CLAYTON. Let him be quiet. He meant te
saw that 10 a European and the other an Amer
lean passage. That is all be had to say. And
as the distinction 10 without difference, did no
desire to hear him Knowing all he was about Il
say, thought could say il quite az well myself
[Laughter.1
Sir his are not the principles Of the American
Senate. His not the principles Of the forty tw
wno on the 22d Of May, 1850, ratified the treaty
The Senator does not merely arraign me; he ar
raigns all those constitutional advisers OF the Pre-
s:den. of the United States.
NJ SHterDaN wa mou tn