The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-01-11
AcauIaIrInN OF TERRITORY

The House resolved itself into Committeeoft the
Whole thestate of the Union-Mr. BAyLY in
the chair-and took up the bill to supply de6cien-
les i1 the appr opriations for the year ending June
Mr.. BELL. Of Ohio. protested against positions
assumed and: admitted by gentlemen on this floor,
that ls the senti ment Of the people we shall &C
quire Cuba. Such has never been the sentiment
Of the people of this country and he trusted would
never so become. Gentlemen say it 10 our ssmani-
fest destiny" to acquire territory, including the
remaining, portion Of Mexico; but II we wish to
pursue and adopt this course of policy, il we wish
to assume that will become the possessors of
Cuba, would it not be well to cast about first be.
fore settle the fact that it is our destiny to
acquire that islaRd? Are we to acquire it by con-
quest or by different course of policy? He said
there were only two modes to pursue: First, is it
for the interest and duty of this nation to pursue
the policy which was recommended and estab.
lished, and carried out by Washington, and the
fathers of this Republic, from revolutionary times
to the present; CIR, secondly, we to change
that course of policy which has rendered US great
and prosperous as nation, and launch our boat on
the wide ocean of annexation and conquest? 1t is
the one or the other. Are gentlemen for changing
our long established policy and seek conquest and
extension OF territory without the necessary pro-
tccti IN and promotion of interest of our fellow
citizens at home, already under their control?
But as to Cuba, it will not be annexed without a
war; and the history OF the past confirms the be-
lief that it would open anew the slavery question:
and shake the Union again to its centre IF we
could obtain Cuba without reward, with its adyan.
tages and disadvantages, it would be curse to us
and an injury and prejudice to institutions.
Ii gentlemen wish to annex, let them turn their
attention to the British provinces of the North
This is something to look at and the acquisition of
these would strena then this Government How.
ever, with the acquisition of Cuba would come the
question of the acquisition of Canada. But he was
opposed to the agitation ofthe subject at this time;
it could result in no good. AS to the Compromise
measures, nothing has been settled by them with
regard to any territory not now belonging to this
country.
MIR. STEPHENS, of Georgia, having been al.
'uded to by the gentleman, said he had, on for
mer occasion, spoken of Congress establishing
principle, an adherence to which would prevent
controversy in future to the institution of slave.
ry in the Territories 1t was the first time that the
principle was recognised by Congress.
MIR. BELL repeated, the settlement Of the terri
torial question by the Compromise was only in
the territory embraced within our limits.
MIR. STEPHENS, of Georgia. supposed that the
gentleman was not q friend of the Compromise
Mr. BELLreplied that he had not, at the time the
measures were passed, the honor of scat in Con-
gress, but if he had been here he should not have
voted against a part of them. However he was
not inclined to disturb them, as ne desired peace
and repose. After further remarks, he took his
seat.
Mr.. SHELTON, awaiting himself of the latitude
allowed in committee for the disc usson of su bects
not Immediately under consideration, proceeded
to speak, first in opposition to the resolution 10
confer the title OF lieutenant general upon General
Scott, (not, however, on grounds personal to that
distinguished soldier;) secondly, against the bill
to create retired List for infirm and inefficient
army and navy officers, and, in the last place,
against the proposition to increase the compensa-
ton of our ministers abroad.
Mr.. WEIGHTMAN, Delegate from New Mex
ico selected as the basis of his remarks that
portion of the Secretary of Wars report which
suggests, in connection with the statement of
the large amount of money required for the
protection of the Territory, that it would be
better to induce the inhabitants (sixty-one thou
sand souls) to abandon it, and remove to more |
favorable region, the Government remunerating
them for the loss of property which would be thus
occaaioned; the value of which is $2,7OO 900 |
Though there is food for indignation, he said in
this recommendation, that feeling was somewhat |
swallowed up by the general contempt with which |
the suggestion was met in all quarters. He com |
planned that Colonel Sumner stepped forward at
the point of the bayonet and took possession OF the
civil government after the late Governor Calhoun
left it to return to tue States. The delegate adj
verted to the kindness and hospitality of the New
Mexcans, and Of their fitness for self government;
and said, being on American soil, they are as much
entitled to respect as if every man there was
Secretary of War. u,
The committee, when the gentleman concluded
his speech, rose. ra
And the House adjourned. ~.