Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-03-26

we should exercise that power hao n0iear OF war
with England have now War should be avoided
long possible. But, sir you need have no appre-
henson Of with her. for the reason that If we keep
in the right she dare not fight as and she will not espe-
ciay for any thing relating to American affairs. She
knows she has given bond to keep the peace, with
mortgage all her real estate in America collateral
security and she knows she forfes her title to he whole
without hope Of redemption, if she commits breach OF
the bond She will not fight unless compelled We could
have fortified that canal each end, and In time Of war
could have closed il against enemies and opened IL at
our pleasure. We had the power of doing il for
the Hse treaty contained provisions for the construction
of Notifications at each terminus and at such points along
the line Of the canal thought proper. We had the
privilege of certifying it, and had the right 10 close it
against any Power which should abuse the privilege
which conferred.
Then, sir, what the objection to the acceptance of
that exclusive privilege? do not see it, sir. know
what the private arguments urged in times which
have gone by, and which trust will return and
that is that England and other European Powers never
would consent that the United States should have ex-
elusive right to the canal Well sir, do know that
they would have consented but Of thing certain,
would never have asked their consent. When Nieara-
qua desired to confer the privilege and when
willing to accept it, it purely American question,
with which England had right interfere lit was an
American question about which Europe had right be
consulted Are under any more obligation TO consult
European Powers about American question than the
allied Powers were in their Congress- consult u.s. when
establishing the equilibrium of Europe by the agency Of
the Holy Alliance? America was not consulted then.
Our does not appear in all the proceedings. TWAS
European.queston about which it presumed Amer
lea had nothing say This question Of canal in Mica
ragua when negotiations were pending to give il TO US,
much American question that the English Gov
eminent not entitled be consulted. England not
CONSENT She will consent allow you do that just so
long you consent to allow her to hold Canada the Ber-
mudas jamaica and her other american possessions
hope the time has arrived when will be told any
that Europe win not consent to this, and England
will not consent to that heard that argument OH got
tired of it when discussing the resolutions for the
annexation Of Texas. heard it again on the Oregon
question: and heard it the California question 1t
has been said every occasion whenever have han
issue about foreign relations that England would
sent yet she has acquesced in whatever have had
the courage and the justice to do And why Because
kept ourselves in the right. England situated
with her this continent that she dare
fight in unjust We would have been in the
right to have accepted the privilege of making this canal
and England would have dared to provoke
troversy with think the time has come when Amer
lea should perform her duty according to udg
ment, and of justice, without regard to
what European Powers might say with respect to it.
think this nation is about of age think we have a
right to judge for ourselves Let always do right and
put the consequences behind us.
But, sir do not wish to detain the Senate upon this
point, to proong the discussion have word two
in reply the remarks of the Senator FROM Della
upon much ofmy speech related to the pledge
in the Clayton and Bulwer treaty to annex any
portion Of that country objected to that clause in the
treaty, upon the ground that unwilling to enter
into treaty stipulation with any European Power in
spect to this continent that would not do in the fu
ture, whatever our duty interest honor, and safety
that desire to Central america, because was
unwilling to give pledge that would do it. He
reminded me that there clause in the treaty with
Mexico containing the stipulation that in certain contn-
gencies would annex any portion of Mexico.
SIR it unnecessary that he should remind Of that
provision He has forgotten how hard struggled to
get that clause out of the treaty where it retained in
opposition to my vote. Had the Senator given his
aid then to defeat that provision in the Mexican treaty,
would be better satisfied with his for having
inserted still stronger pledge in his treaty But having
adv afal nj plpdg he att n
avoid the responsibility of his act by citing that as
precedent Twas unwilling TO bind ourselves by treaty
for all time to come never to annex any more territory
am content for the present with the territory we have
do not wish to any portion of Mexico did
not wish to annex part of Central America then nor
do at this time.
try for the last half century Fifty years ago the ques-
ton was being debated this Senate whether wise
acquire any territory the west bankof the
Mississippi river, and it then contended that We
could never with safety, extend beyond that river 1t
at that time seriously considered whether the Ale
ghany mountains should not be the baTer beyond which
should never pass. At subsequent date, after
had acquired Louisiana and Florida liberal views
began to prevail, and it thought that perhaps we
might venture to establish tier of States west Of the
Mississippi but in order prevent the sad calamity Of
undue expansion of territory, the policy
adopted of establishing Indian Territory with titles in
perpetuy all along the western border of those States
that States could possibly be created in
that direction. That barrier could not arrest the onward
progress of people. They burst through it, and
passed the Rocky Mountains and only arrested by
the waters of the Pacific Who, then, is prepared say
that in the progress of events having with the
rier of the in western course, may be
compelled to TO the north and to the south for
outlet! How long it since the gentleman from Della
himself thought that time would arrive when
we would want California l that he was of
that opinion at the time ratified the treaty, and
nexed it.
Mr.. CLAYTON. How?
Mr.. DOUGLAS. BY his voting for Mr. Crittendenas re-
solution declaring that did not want any portion Of
Mexican territory You will find your vote in this vol
ume which hold in my hand. L am aware that he be-
longed that school of politicians who thought had
territory enough have not forgotten that respecta-
BILE portion Of this body, but few years ago. thought it
would be preposerous to bring country far distant
California, and little known, into the Union. But il
has been done; and now since California has become
member Of the Confederacy with her immense
and nexhaustble resources told that the time
will when the territory lying halfw way between
Atlantic and Pacific possessions will be desirable.
Central America is too far off because it is half way to
California and the main direct route the very
upon which you pay your Senators and Representatives
Congress their mileage in coming to the Capital the
halfway house from portion Of the country to the
other is far distant that the who thinks the time
will when will want il is deemed mailman.
Mr. CLAYTON. Does the Senator apply those sentiments
to me ? did not think
Mr.. DOUGLAS simply say that such opinion was in
Dictated by the vote Of the gentleman the resolution Of
Mr.. Crttenden.
Mr.. CLAYTON The Senator is entirely mistaken that
point.
Mr.. DOUGLAS In order to save time waive the point
to the Senator's VOTE although IL recorded in the vo