Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05
DEBATE I'm THE SENATE.
COLONIZATION IN NORTH AMERICA

joint resolution decaratory of the views Of the United
States respecting colonization on the North American
continent by European Powers and respecting the Island
of Cuba"--
Mr. SOULE said Mr. President, the sole objec. had
in view when, q former OCCASION moved postpone
of this debate to protect myself against the
danger of too hasy expression of sentiment with
ference TO grave and momentous subject as that IN
which il had originated felt unwilngness crudely
TO commit upon scheme
abstract policy concerning which, in the significant
Language Of the distinguished Senator on my right r
CAss so liable to present themselves from hour to
hour for practical consideration And wished for tme
that might school mind and prepare IT TO face the
stern exgences which could not but anticipate would
arise from the issues put in agitation That time was
most literally allowed me; and am now ready to let
what opinions have been able mature to the c0un
try in the unambitious form under which it will be my
purpose TO present them to the Senate.
Before proceed, however, will ask leave Mr. Presi
dent to express my deep regret that have to disagree
any the points controversy with the eminent
Senators who spoke first from this side of the chamber
(Messrs. CAss and MAsoN.) cannot join them in the
favorable opinion which they have been pleased express
of the pursued by this Administration the
casion of late difficulties with the officials of the
Spanish Government at Havana The policy Of the Ad-
mnisraon in that in most other instancesin which
interests have been in conflict with those Of foreign Power
has struck me as peculiarly unwise and undgnifed
While those who will have the control of
the Government fearful inheritance Of difficulties and
dangers it has lowered itself to contest which
have the mighty hand of the Republic ready strike
an innocent and isolated individual The verdict of the
country has decidedly gone against it, and am in
disposed to question its justice or to weaken Its sgn
cancy.
Sir when these questions up the first time for
consideration felt great anxiety lest by being prema
urely brought into debate they might embarrass and
cripple General Pierce's administration. May hope
that the dangers then apprehended still be ayerted
viii certainly not be found recreant towards making
any effort that may secure SO desirable result Yet
cannot forbear asking myself the question, why the
correspondence the rpartite treaty called for? Had
the Presidents message informed honorable Senators
of its bearing and import? Did not the resolution origi
mating the call intimate thorough knowledge of its
character? Or did Senators merely wish to give them
selves the enjoyment of its rhetoric? They could not
have meant opening the way to remonstrance against
England and 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 the two great Powers
cerned in the matter had been met and rebuked The
could not have entertained any dissatisfaction
of the Presidents that was all right
and proper. What was it. them that prompted the in
quiry? Nothing sure but the best of motives and
yet what could it bring forth-wha has it brought forth
but legitimate triumph to the distinguished statesman
who fills with 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 let out. Why? Is it
because of the disclosure that had made up our minds
purchase Cuba But in the same breath they avow
their settled purpose still purchase it if it should be for
sale Is il because the amount offered divulged?
But they proclaim that they ready purchase it at
any price. Why should the Administration be reproyed
for having done precisely what hesitate not to do
selves? Had honorable Senators denounced the Admin
straton in unmtgated of reprobaton for having
transferred to the public gaze transaction hidden in
mysterious SAFE where it lay under SEAL surrounded with
all the paraphernaa of secret of State, might under
stand them But this they did not attempt do and it
will be for else to afford u.s. in the progress of
this debate insight iHto what circumstances connect
ed with that correspondence should have imposed upon
nf ,Ia
public view.
band Of youthful and enthusiastic adventurers con-
gregate in Southern port at the CALL they think of
suffering brethren and stake what of life aud Of hope
is in youth upon dread adventure. Spain takes the
alarm and under the promptngs of the Presidents pro-
clamaton which brands them outcasts dooms them
indiscrimnate slaughter. Asprit is engendered-whch
soon pervades the whole population nhabitng this the
most valuable ard the last of the possessions OF that
Power within the waters that battle this connen-whch
but increases her fears and prompts her to mpore Eng
scheme through which she be maintained in the do
minion which she holds it. Your answer well rs
that Of the Government is thatyou will not comply with
the presumptuous summons through which that scheme
has found the of manifestng itself But nj the
time that you rebuke the attempt Of the proud in
ermedders by fat refusal Of your solicited coopera-
on you emasculate what Of virtue there might be in
your bold resolve by the strongest protesaon that you
aim not ut disturbing their quietude and equanimity
And il to give them ample assurance that you covet
the possession which they have deeply at heart
protect against your grasp yeu sgmatze all those who
in the least suspected of being directly indirectly
concerned in any undertaking that may give Spain the
least dispeasure concerning it. They all "marau-
dershose who engaged in the unfortunate expedition
which terminated in the Atarez slaughter well the
stubborn contractor who another OCCASION presumed
to believe that there something in individual and
/ tonal rights worth struggling for What strange ma
RAIDERS must have been those FIVE hundred youths who
betook themselves to strange land where they
knew they would meet FIVE hundred thousand of their
equals, guarded and defended by thousand
armed soldiers watching their approach-who upon
landing sent back the buoyant that had
them the unwecome shore with adeu TO their
tive land and then engaged in that deadly struggle which
to terminate in the reimbursement Of the island or
in the consummaton Of their ruinwho left wherever
they went but ndelibe traces Of heroic devotion and
against whom Spain has not, yet uttered word
Of reproach that could attant the morality Of their aspi
ration Were Crittenden and his gallant followers but
common marauders, vile piratesl See how they died
How proudly that boysh chief who headed the band con-
fronts his fae and protests against the degrading exac-
tons through which he required to bend his before
his executioners: "I kneel to but Godl I defy
your tortnresl you may kill me- but you cannot kill
at the bar OF the future !" Why talk you Of marauders
Lafayette and Koscusko just such marauders The
has his picture hung up in the other House Of this
National Legislature and the other his impress wher
4 ever beats the American heart
What the late conquests Of England in Eastern
| India, Of the French in Africa, but maraudng upon
large SCALE What has been the Of Britain within
the last century the coast Of Central America but
continuous maraudingi Why should Senators show them
selves so supremey fasidious about maraudng, wher
they admit themselves while speaking Of the veIed
QUESTION, that they but await for the rpening Of thu
frutf Will the plucking Of il when ripe be less q
raudng" than epluckng Of it while still greeni hae