The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-27

1853.
MI POLK sad
Mr. CaAIRMAs As entered this hall yesterday morn
ing on returning from the enjoyment OF the Christmas
holidays found my friend from North Carolina [Mr
VssABLr discussing the Cuban question. listened 10
him with great deal OF pleasure aud admired the adroit
ness with which he piled his Arguments but, at the
ime struck that he occupied strange position
being SO closely affiliated with the recesty-pnbIished
opinions OF General Cass IN the Senate II has employ
ed nv aenton since to ascertain whether my feDd
from North Carolina has turned old fogy. or whelh-
er General Cass has turned freeatsr They occupy the
same position. II may be possible that General Cass.
aware OF the great which The executor OF the char
acer of Canoun has taken OF him. may consider himself
under sort OF obligation, the last OF the noble
spirits in the Senate, to lie, his mantle fall also upon the
shoulders OF worthy AN executor He says that be is
opposed TO the acquisition OF any territory at all can
only conceive, them that he has adopted the principles
contained in the report OF the Secretary of War Ii he
is gong to make il ultra doctrine, he will go n for
that report which proposes sell New Mexico to the
Indians delegate and all. lLaughter] Probably we are
growing too large
The gentleman, in another OF his positions says tha,
at this lime everything entitled to freedom enjoys IT,.
Would not the declaration OF such sentiment have suit
ed better The English Parliament in 1915 than the Ame-
examination Of the mischief which will result from the
pomulgalion OF such doctrine will not stop 10
anime the effect which II must have upon our own ns-
luons Are you for shutting down the gates. and be-
coming oppressive England 10 u.s. and show 10
the world that you unworthy OF freedom! How do
YOU know that all who entitled 10 freedom enjoy II!
Have those who are the subjects OF kngy powers lred
il! Have they had as fair opportunity we have ha
to test the experiment! No. sir. And here dismiss
nv old friend from North Carolina [Mr VENABLE] who
in the few days intervening between the last session and
this has thrown OF all OF YOUTH and gone soul and BODY
Sir notice that the course oMr Fillmore upon the Gu
ban question has been entirely approved by some men Pc
longing TO our party and by democratic newspapers
scattered and there throughout The country and be-
heye the gentleman from North Carolina did The same
thing Yesterday. do not approve OF it, Why! ] OBJ.
IN he ala Havana,
do object it! The treaty OF commerce. peace, and
navigation between the United States and Spain, required
inc President to issue his proclamation. cannot say
tha. admire the phraseology the form, the extent OF
that proclamation; but when il issued we had per-
formed our part OF the treaty. Did Spain, or the Cuban
authorities when those taken in arms observe
the treaty. and give fair and open trial. with all the priv
ileges of counsel, TO the prisoners before executions
treaty between two governments must be mutually OF
served or it is nothing say that the government Of the
United States observed their feature OF the treaty, and
that the government of Spain violated theirs Although
those fifty taken in arms yet by lhe treaty be-
tween The two governments they had right to fair,
impartial pubic hiais That is distinct stipulation in
the treaty; but The Spanish authorities mocked it. and
those were tried, hied at al IN secret and were
carried out and shot down 10 violation OF ,he treaty,
which Mr. Fillmore was trying 10 carry out Ii he
so anxious to carry out the provisions OF the treaty
against the libusers why did he not show equal in
dusy and equal good will in carrying out that feature of
II which guaranteed TO those men tGr trial fair hear
ing which every American demand OF any power
with which we have the USUAL treaty stpulaons'
Mr. BROOKS If the gentleman will allow me, | wish
10 correct him with regard 10 matter OF fact Those
persons all had trials before the courts Of Havana They
openly examined. and each and every one OF them
had a fair trial.
Mr. POLK Justice in this country is an altar at which
we worship But am asonished to hnd that the gen
,leman from New York approves OF Spanish justice Will
you subject the American citizen 10 II who s not pro-
teclei by this had almost SAID pastianimo admins
,raion but will not say it. Does the gentleman from
New York approve OF thai, and say that our govern
ment correct in submitting 10 mock irla OF these
men before military commission, without any counsel
upon the behalf OF the prisoners wihou, an opportunity
OF communicating with their friends, and without even
the poor privilege OF bringing the facts 10 light connect
ed with their guilt. II indeed they guilty al all
Mr.. BROOKS. The gentleman is in error.
Mr. POLK cannot yield TO the gentleman. He will
have an opportunity OF replying TO me.
Mr. BROOKS. | fear | shall not have the opportu-
n,y, unless interrupt the gentleman
MIR POLK Well. cir, say that this government
sands in this light before Europe and the world: you
have had fifty slaughtered in Cuba in violation Of
treaty obi CATION, and you submit to II.
IL that all the submission Ia that the only gnominy
that brands itself upon the American character in this
connexion No, SIR. We not only submit TO that, bu,
we break down the American honor by agreeing TO "a.
Lutte a returning consul in honor Of the slaughter-I
mean the return of the Spanish consul TO New Or
leans.
Sir what SORT OF respect can we look for IRON any for
eign country. What indgni,y will not be shown to
hag What wrongs, nations will ask, can we perpetraie
TO drive you into defence OF your honor II the pol
icy OF this administration is carried out, the only ques
ton with foreign nations will be, not "w this ohends
bat 40 what extent can offend 4" will no, stop TO
number The gnomines-one, two, three, and four.
will stop to di,cuss the Thrasher will not
stop TO discuss the Crescent City case because do
feel ,ha, could throw any light the question: unless
had time for proper preparation. intended yeser-
day merely to enter into the discussion while the blood
was up. and while the debate progressing IT, how
ever, the course OF this administration examined
upon the slaughter OF those fifty IN Havana, upon
the Crescent City case, and upon the Thrasber case IL
would be found that il bad dsgraced the government in
each instance.
MIR Chairman, is that all with regard TO Cuba The
best way 10 present this question - How stands
diplomatic corps in Europe Are diplomatic agents
respected there IL our minister to France respected
Are his declarations upon the part OF his government
respected Is the American minister to Spain respected
Are his declarations respected Are any OF minis
lers respected upon the conneati do not pretend to
say that our respeciaby has been compromised by
either Of the distinguished gentlemen who represent
abroad diplomatic capacity by any act OF theirs
Sir, say that this administration has broken down the
espectabity and the honor OF the nation abroad How
so' By the publication OF correspondence which bears
the mark OF privacy upon its face, and which was de-
clared to be private and confidential Mr. Saunders ap
Piled 10 the Spanish Minister OF Foreign Affairs for an
Interview, stating that was 10 be private and conhden
ua OF course, the results of the interview were com
municaied to the respective governmentsthat is this
government and Spain, but MIR. Saunders states in all
his letters TO Mr. Buchanan that the interviews were pr
yaie, and that bis government would consider them
Are they private now
Suppose, Mr. Chairman, that you were minister TO a
foreign power this hour, and that necessary for
your government, thai You should have interview with
'he Minister of Foreign Affairs for the purpose OF sba
Ping and iormiDg It's action any great question, and
You went to the Minister OF Foreign Relations and said
nv -.