The Yazoo Democrat., 1853-01-19
L II e DE Nc OCRA T
PHILLIPS & PERKINS, ED1rors
The Cuban Question la Tho ssov,oto


The Cuban Question IN the senate.
The introduction of a resolution by Senator
Mason, Of Virginia, calling for a copy Of the
notes addressed by France and Great Britain to
this government, in relation TO the Spanish do
minion in Cuba, was the occasion of a sudden
but most significant and important debate. By
that brief and unprecedented discussion in the
Senate of the United States an impulse and di-
rection were impaired to the public opionion Of
this country. The speech of General Cass, with
such propriety termed the "Nester of the Sem
ate" was replete with the highest and soundestI
maxims of public policy, while it presented the
most comprehensive survey of the foreign rela-
tions and of the future destiny of this isgreat
republic" 1t will be read, as itsvas heard, with
interest and admiration, and commendation.
and it will triumphantly vindicate the charac-
ter of the statesman from the reproacn Ito bor-
row his own language) either of "rashness or
pusillanimity." While the counsels of the SEN
ate are guided by such men as the eminent states
man from Michigan, there need be no apprehen-
sion about either the safety or the honor of the
country.
The speech of Senator Mason, Introductory to
his resolution, was in every respect worthy the
high compliment of General Cass It is, in
deed, an occasion of congratuation to the
country, that at this time, when so many diff
cult and delicate questions of foreign inter-
course are upon us, we have at the head Of the
Committee on Foreign Relations gentleman so
well calculated to discharge its duties satisfacto-
rily to the Senate and honorable to the country"
| A a
own reputation, the speech of Senator Mason is
especially interesting as presenting the true
democratic view of the question of Cuban an
nexation. The honorable Senator elevated the
question above the low level of yfii6usterisna !;
withdrew from it all considerations of cupidity
or conquest, and put it upon the high ground of
public justice and national necessity In an
swer to the silly reproach of flibusterism,
which timid and stolid conservatism has at
tempted to bring upon the democratic party, we
will cite this speech OF the honorable Senator
from Virginia as just and eloquent exposition
of the policy of his party The principles there
announced are precisely the principles which
this journal has ever maintained, and it is with
peculiar satisfaction that we find our own po-
si!ion sustained by SO eminent authority.
In respect to the publication of the Cuban
correspondence, the opinion of Senator Mason
is explicit and emphantic. He says:
s MIR. President, | regretted, deeply regretted
to see. just before we were assembled here al the
present session, that the President of the United
States had thought it proper, upon general call
for the correspondence by the other House, to
divulge all communication which had passed be-
tween this government and Spain on the sub
ject of Cuba from its first commencement. lido
not mean to question the motives of the PreSI-
dent in SO doing, but do question his judg-
ment. Whatever it was intended to effect, one
consequence must be the resuit-the postpone
ment of the acquisition OF that island to more
distant period than if the correspondence had
not been divulged andI apprehend that it is
not very usual in the diplomatic intercourse of
nations to bring from the secret archives, where
they properly belong, matters that have conf
dentially passed between two governments on
any question in which others hold themselves to
be interested. The administration which has
published the correspondence is about to go out
of office | shall make no war upon it for what
it has done; but will say that as far as the ac-
QUESTION of Cuba is involved, it has done little
to expedite it by divulging that correspondence.
Yet the publication may have the less injurious
effect for the reason that our government deals
but little in secret diplomacy. The ends and OBJ
ects we desire to attain should not be idly or
uselessly promulged but if they become so, i
apprehend the world will find nolhing in them
at which we have cause TO blush. Let them
have the information for what it is worth. They
all know-I mean the European powers all
know-not only the deep interest our whole
country feels In the acquisition of that island,
but they know, also that it will inevitably be
come ours at some day. Let them have the in
formation for what it is worth. It may post
pone the acquisition; it cannot prevent it."
"Cannot prevent it." is the language of the
honorable Senator the combined power of
Europe cannot prevent it, Watching the ten
dency of events, and anticipating the inevitable
result, the speaker exclaims:
sSir, who can doubt but that the acquisition
of Cuba by the United States is question OF
time only-purely question of time? In the
progress of empires, IN the formation of nations,
they grow from infancy to youth, and SO to man.
hood. Great and powerful as our country is, it
is yet in its youth; and it isof little moment to
us whether we acquire Cuba in this generation
or in the next but come it will. just as certain
| ly as that the world revolves upon its axis"
This is no purpose of rapine or scheme of con-
quest, involved in the mystical phraseology of
the manifest destiny" school. The honorable
Senator contemplates the acquisition of Cuba by
no compulsory or equivocal means. On the
contrary. he is most explicit and emphatic in dis
claiming any aggressive designs against it:
ssNow, sir, am here free to declare, repre-
| senting as do q section of the country as deep
/ " interested In the future relations Of Cuba to
/ this continent as any other in my place as q
bility as statesman Of America, that am con-
- @C,1,o ehaH rona.sy4 4hn rn0gepSglOn OF