The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-30

4
resolution declaraloy OF The views OF the United States
respecting colonization on the North American coni-
nent by European powers, and respecting The island o
i Cuba
| Mr. President: The sole object had in view when,
on former occasion, moved posponemenl OF lhls
debate was TO protect myself against the danger OF 100
hasy an expression OF sentiment with reference 10 80
grave and momenions subject as that IN which had
originated. felt some unwilingness erudey to commit
my judgment upon any scheme OF speculative and abstract
matters, which, in the language o The distinguished SEN
aor my right, Nj. CAss so liable 10 present
themselves from hour TO hour Tor practical consideration
And wished Tor time, that might school my mind and
prepare II 10 meet the stern exsences which could Dot
but anticipate would arise from the issues put IN aga
ton. That time was most literally allowed me; ana
now ready 10 let what opinions have been able 10
mature go 10 The country in the uaanbous form under
which will be my purpose 10 present them 10 the Senate
Before proceed, however will ask leave, Mr.. Pres
dent TO express my deep regret lha, have 10 Disagree
on any OF The points IN controversy, with The two eni
nent senator's who spoke rst lfon his side o The cham
her, alessrs CAss and MAsoKl cannot join them IN
the favorable opinion which they have been pleased TO
express OF the pursued by this administrator
the occasion OF late difficulties with the officials OF
the Spanish government al Havana The policy OF the
administration IN that. in most other instances IN
which our interests have been in conflict with those Of
foreign power has struck peculiarly unwise aud
undigniiied. While il bequealhs to those who will
have the control OF the government fearful inheritance
OF difficulties and dangers, il has lowered itself 10 a con-
test IN which we have the mighty hand OF the re-
public ready to strike an innocent and isolated individ
The verdict oil The country has decidedly gone against IT.
aud am ndposed 10 question lis justice or 10 weaken
| its signicancy,
Sir, when these questions came up the first time for
our consideration let great anxiety lest By being pre-
maIuely bou1h nio debate, they might enbarass and
cnppe General PleIces administration. May | hope
that the dangers then apprehendel still be avered
will certainly not be found recreant towards making
any effort that may secure desirable result Yet
cannot ioibear asking myself the question, Why was
The correspondence oa the irpaItte treaty called for
Had not the Presidents essage informed honorable
senators OF lis bearing and impoi Did not the sou
Iptl
OF It's character! Oi did senators merely wish 10 give
themselves the enjoyment OF lis rhetoric They could
not have meant opening the To remonstance agans
England aad France; that would have been in opposition
TO their admitted principles, and hardly in keeping with
the praises they had freely bestowed upon The
in which the Intrusive step of two great powers con-
cerned in the matter had been met and rebukeJ The
mover could not have entertained any dissatisfaction on
account oil the Presidents answer that was all right
and proper. What was il, them that prompted the in
qury' Nothing, am sure, bu, The best OF motives and
Iyy what could it bring foIih--what has it brought
torth-but legitimate triumph TO the dstng states
man who fills, With 50 much credit TO himself, the chair
OF State. and obstacles, difficulties, and dangers, in the
way OF the coming administration
Senators complain, however, that the mystery of the
Cuban correspondence has been lei out Why? Is IL
because OF The disclosure that we had made up minds
TO purchase Cuba But, III the same BREATH they
their settled purpose still TO purchase il il should be
for sale. Is il because the offered diruged
But they proclaim thai they ready 10 purchase
any price Why should The administration be Teproved
Tor having done precisely what hesitate not do
ourselves. Had honorable senators denounced the adj
mnisalion unnigaed terms OF reprobation for
having transferred TO the public gaze transaction hidden
in mysterious saie where lay under SEAL surrounded
with all the paraphernaa of secret Of State, mig h
understand them But this they did not attempt TO do
and will be Tor some one else 10 afford us IN the pro-
sress OF this debate, insight into what circumstances
connected with that spondence, should have imposed
upon our present rulers the obligation OF keeping II out
OF the public view,
gregae southern port. al the call, they think, OF
suffering brethren, and stake what OF life and of hope
there is in youth upon dread adventure. Spain takes
the alarm and, under the pomptngs OF the Presidents
proclamation, which brands them as oucasts, dooms
them 10 indscriminate slaughter. A spirit engender
ed-whch soon pervades the whole population inkabt-
ing this the valuable, and the last OF the poses
sons OF that power within the waters that bathe this
lconilnentwhich but increases her fears, and prompts
her 10 implore England aud France to 10 her
cue, and 10 aeyse scheme through which she
may be maintained IN the dominion which she holds
over II. Your answer well as that OF the gov
eminent, IS that you will not comply with the pre-
sumptuous summons through which that scheme has
found The means OF maniiesing itself. But at
the same time that you rebuke ihe attemp, OF the
proud intermediates by fiat refusal OF your solicited
operation you emascuIae what OF virtue there might
be your bold resolve by the strongest proesaons that
you ann not a, disturbing their qaetude and equanimy
and as II to give them ample assurance that yoG covet
not The possession which they have deeply al heart
protect against your grasp, you sgmatze all those who
in the least suspected OF being directly indirectly
concerned in any undertakinG At may give Spain tue
least dspleasare concerning H. Iney all "marau-
defs"-those who engaged IN the unfortunate expedition
stubborn contractor who, another OCCASION presumed
10 believe that there something in individual and
uona rights worth struggling Tor What strange marau-
ders have been those hve hundred youths who be-
took themselves 10 strange land, where they knew they
would meet live hundred thousand OF their equals, guard
ed and defended by twenty-five thousand armed sol
dIers watching their APPROACH who upon landing. sent
back the buoyaBt steamer that bad brought Them the
unwelcOme shore with last adeu to their native land
aud then engaged in that deadly struggle which was to
terminate IN the enfranchsement OF the island, The
consummstion OF their ruin-who left, wherever they
went, the ndeble traces o heroic eyolon. and agaas
whom Spain has not yet uttered a word ot re-
proach that could aitani the morality OF their aspirations
We're C'itiendeD ana his gallant followers bot common
mafaudeIs or vile pirates! See how they died How
proudly that boysh chief who headed the band confrons
his fate and protests against the degrading exaclions
which he srequired TO bend bis knee before his
executioners 81 kneel to none but God defy your
tortures You may kill me, but you cannot kill the
hopes that bound within and afragn your cruelty at
the bar of the future !" Why talk you oil maauders
Lafayette and kosciusko were just such maraudes The
one has his picture hung up IN the other House OF our
national legislature, and the other his impress wherever
heats aa American neatl
What the late conquess oi Eogand in eastern In
da, OF the French m Aica, but msraudng upon large
scale What has been the course OF Britain within The
last century the coast of Central America but c,ntn
Ik.y