The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-04

gentleman had been kicking lad lion. FiIibuster
ing was at par eighteen months ago. but he believe,
was now decidedly below par. He did not exactly
understand the object Of the gentleman but /,
some remarks which fell from him he wished t,
reply. Now be (Mr. S. was notin favor of taking
Cuba. He was not, however, one to declare tina
ne was unwilling to have Cuba under any cir
cumstances. He did not want it; nor did he thini
proper to say that it was best for Spain to hole
Cuba. Let the future take care of itself He wal
willing to declare, he did two years ago. that be
had no desire for Cuba; but the events in Europe
ofthe next six months might make this right a
a future day. Great national events might render
this necessary. The gentleman himself nigh
even use violence to get its but it to be hoped
that the day for this would never come He was
Tor the arts OF peace. AS much gentlemen OBJ.
Ject, If war must come, we must be prepared fol
it. elf offences must needs come, wo to him by
whom they Gomez But he was not going to de
precate, In advance, the evils of war. He re
peated, he did not know and understand the
object and purpose of discussing the Cuban ques
ton at present. AT the time of the expedition
there, when patriotic citizens went out on the en-
.efPrlse, ne thought proper to warn them not to
incur the impending hazards. But the remark
which the gentleman from North Carolina made
was, that the acquisition of Cuba would sbe dan
gerous to our Union. 1t was to that he wished tc
speak: The gentleman alluded to the fearful
agitation which lately passed over; and spoke o.
the reluctance with which he, in conformity with
the will of North Carolina, swallowed the Com
promise measures, at the same time portla yin
the danger to result from the acquisition of Cuba
What is the great principle of the Compromise
That SO far as the Territories are concerned, the
General Government has right to interfere
with the people moulding and forming their Gov
eminent just as they please.
Mr.. VENABLE replied, that the mere acquisi
ton of territory was, in his opinion open ques
ton.
Mr.. STEPHENS resumed, saying the point in
the argument is this that the acquisition of Cuba
would have tendency to renew sectional feeling
nv 10 tod ho ,uoo hoo
QUESTION of Cuba; but, if it should become great
national object to have Cuba, he could not conceive
that danger is to be apprehended from the acqusi-
ton. He thus replied to the gentleman, who spoke
OF the reluctance with which he subscribed to the
Compromise, to show him that North Carolina was
right, and he wrong. One of the leading terms OF
settlement was, that all territory acquired and be-
longing to the United States should be left open
the people to form such institutions they should
see tit. He considered this question not only for
the South, but for the North. 1t was the establish.
ment of the old republican principle on which our
institutions rest, namely: that all people have a
right to govern themselves as they please. He
contended, then, that for the General Government
to attempt to control the people, and impose re-
strictions, would be odious the attempt of
the British Government to impose taxes the col
onsts without representation. He held this to be
the greatest triumph of republican principles since
the formation of the Constitution. II we acquire
Canada, or Cuba, or Mexico-wherever our flag
Hoats-each community govern itself as it
PASoooo. AScVCt TAKE any tuluS WTOuSlully, out IL
you carry this principle with you, you may have
an ocean-bound Republic. That principles s, that
you shall let each govern itself it pleases. With
this principle there can be Apr ehenson of dan
ger from acquisition.
Mr.. BAYLY, of Virginia, said this was cues
ton in which he felt vast deal of interest He
had just returned from the Senate where he
learned that the resolution introduced several days
since by colleague in that body, (Mr MASON
had passed. Therefore, he preferred to reserve
desired mt he
called for comes IN; and he begged leave to sug
gest that it would be quite well to postpone all
discussion until we shall know precisely every
thing which has been done by the Administration;
until we ascertain officially the precise condition
in which our relations to Cuba stand i
Mr.. BROWN, of Mississippi, replied to several
points in the speech of the gentleman from North
Carolina, (Mr. VENABLR;) and in the course of his
remarks he said he thought the Creoes in the
Island of Cuba, if they feel themselves oppressed,
have the same right to take up arms, inherited
from the Almighty as the American colonies had;
and that citizens of the United States have as
much right to assist them the French had to aid
US in the war against Great Britain Our fore
fathers were not buccaneers, nor were the French,
who came to succor in that glorious strug gle.
His friend did not draw the proper distinction be.
tween the acts of this and the acts of the
people.
He was not to be understood as saying that the
United States ought to wage war against Spain
He was speaking of individual enterprise; the
same that was manifested in the affairs of Greece,
the South American republics, and Texas If he
went for the acquisition of Cuba at ALL or other
foreign territory, let it be understood it was be-
cause he wanted an outlet for slavery There
were now three and half millions of slaves; and
in thirty years there would be seven or eight mil
lions OF them He came from that portion of the
Confederacy which will be the last resting place
of slavery, unless it shall have outlet. Not
having this in the cotton growing States it would
be as great calamity as damming up the sources
OF the Mississippi. t5
MIR. VENABLE, the gentleman having the floor
giving way, made several explanations.
Mr.. BROWN said the gentleman was never
more mistaken in hs life when he supposed it pos
sible for his State Rights friends to countenauce
any violation Of treaty stipulations or good faith
towards foreign nations, obligations to the
States composing this Union, or any other of man
kind. He was perfectly free to say he was not
going to second any flibustering expedition
against Cuba, or any other part of the world; but
he was for demanding and exacting, at all times
and under all circumstances, proper respect for the
flag of this country; and if in doing this we be
come involved in a war with Spain, we must light
it out; and If in the general settlement can get
nothing but land, he was willing to take it.
[ Laughter.] He thought that the conduct of the
President in the late transaction at Havana, in
which the steamer "Crescent City'' was involved.
altogether wrong, and that Spain violated our
treaty OF amity; and he trusted that the incoming
President will ask satisfaction of Spain for the
outrages blurred over by the retiring Administra
ton. In conclusion, he said most emphatcally and
distinctly that he did not desire our Government
to provoke quarrel with Spain He desired peace
with her. He endorsed the sentiment OF the gen
tlema from North Carolina, that if Spain can hold
Cuba securely he desired she should do SO. He
made no speech or argument against the acquis
ton; but if Spain should part with the island we
should have it. The speech of the gentleman must
induce the public to halt in their minds and hest
tate about acquiring Cuba under any circum-
stances.
Mr.. WILCOX endorsed in toto what was said
by the gentleman from Georgia, (Mr STEPHEEs.)
He trusted that the incoming administration will
be characterized by the spirit of conservatism and
hoped that economy, retrenchment, and reform
will be carried out, and that the banner Of peace
will be unfurled at the commencement of the new
administration. He was not prepar ed to say that
he was not in favor of Cuba, at all events At pre-
sent he was opposed to its acquisition in any shape
manner, or form whatever, because he conceived
that the wants and emergencies of the Govern
ment do not require it. But future events may
render it necessary. The day is not dis ant when
we will have an ocean-bound Republic, which has
proved itself sufficient to protect all it's various
interests.
He then proceeded to the discussion of another
subject, and advocated, at some length, the pas
sage of the Senate joint resolution authorizing the
President of the United States to confer the title of
lieutenant general for distinguished military
vice. in Mexico. In this connexion he spoke with
much earnestness ofthe worthiness of Major Gen.
eral Scott to wear the honor.
Mr., POLK obtained the floor and after saving