Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-01-07
CUBA. INTERVENTION, THE 1T. GEN

day, was continued 10 Committee of the Who 10
on Tuesday.
Mr.. Polk, being entitled to the floor, said that
on his return from the enjoyment of the Christ
mas holidays, when he entered the hall yester-
day, he found his fiend from North Carolina
(Nlr. Venable) discussing the Cuba question:
He listened TO him with great deal of interest,"
aud admired the adroitness with which he piled
his argument; but at the same time it occurred to
him that the gentleman was occupying the same
position with General Cass He was not, how
ever, able to ascertain whether the gentleman had
! turned "old togy," or whether Gen. Cass had
turned sire eater" They certainly occupy the
same position. 1t might be that Gen. Cass, aware
of the great which this executor had taken
of the character of Mr.. Calhoun, was making use
of the same kind of influence to let his mantle
fall on the shoulders of so worthy an executor
The gentleman said he was opposed to the ac-
QUESTION of territory at ALL This being the case
he could not but conceive that the gentleman
should adopt the principle urged in the report of
MIR. Conrad, the Secretary of War, and go in for
the ultra doctrine to sell New Mexico to the In
dams. Laughter.
The gentleman said that every one entitled to
freedom enjoys it. When did this become so
Would not the declaration of such a sentiment be
as well suited the English Parliament in 1776, as
the American Congress of 1858! He would not
~
mitigating such doctrine, and the effect which it
would have on institutions. As. we enjoy
ireedom 1t is as much as to assert that we should
shut down the gates, and say to European ma
tions, ''Y gu hear your chains clanking, but you
are not required to raise your arms to break the
manacles which now bind you" How did tile
gentleman know they are not entitled to free
dom Have they tried it and had as fair an
opportunity as we have had No. But he
would dismiss his fogy friend from North Caro-
lima.
1t has been said that members of the Demo-
cratic party scattered throughout the country,
approved the policy of Mr.. Fillmore on the Cuba
question; but he did not approve of it. He OBJ
jected to the slaughter of the fifty Americans ut
Havana. The treaty of commerce and amity
required the President to issue his proclamation;
but he could not say that he admired its extent.
We performed our part of the treaty, but Spain
did not, and violated it. Although those fifty
men were taken in arms, they had right to a fair
and public trial. This was clear and distinct
stipulation in the treaty; but the Spanish author-
tiles denied it. They were tried in secret,
and shot down in violation of the treaty which
Mr.. Fillmore was trying to carry out. If he
was. trying to carry out the treaty against ''fi-
busters" why did he not show equal industry
and good will in carrying out the feature which
gave to them fair trial?
Mr.. Brooks remarked that those persons all
had trial under the two highest courts of that
Island.
Mr.. Polk replied: Justice in this country is an
altar at which we worship. Spanish Justice -
He was astonished to find the gentleman from
| New 4ork approving of it. 1t is mockery.-
| Where American citizens are not protected by
| this Government, The had like to have said pu-
sillanimous Administration but he would not)
! foreign nations will not respect our rights. Did
| the gentleman come here to approve of it, and
| say our Government did right in submitting to a
mock trial before military commission, without
counsel on behalf ofthe prisoners, and without an
| opportunity being afforded them of communi-
eating with therfriends fol- the purpose of bring
| ing the facts to light!
Mr.. Books desired to reply but the gentleman
refused to yield the floor.
Mr.. Polk resumed, saying that the Govern
ment stands in this light before the world Fifty
men siaug htered in Cuba, in violation of treaties
| and you submit to it. This is not only submitted
to, but salute is fired in honor of the return of
| the Spanish Consul. What wrong can Spain
perpetrate to drive you to the defence of your
flag! This will be the only question, if the
policy to which he had adyerted be carried
out.
He would not discuss the .Thrasher' and the
"Crescent City, cases. He intended Yesterday
to enter into the discussion as the blood was I'D
and the debate was running
How stand the diplomatic corps in Europe!-
Are they respected! Is the American Minister
in France respected? Are his declarations on the
part OF this government respected Is the Amer
lean Minister in Spain respected? Are his dec
larations respected! Or is any of them on the
continent OF Europe respected! He repeated,
this Administration has broken down the respec.
liability and honor of this nation abroad; and he
then proceeded to show how. By the pubca-
ton OF the correspondence with reference to the
purchase of Cuba. The correspondence was
confidential, and bore the mark of privacy upon
Its face. Foreign governments cannot hereafter
repose in our honor, and will be disposed to deny
TO us the usual confidence extended to ministers.
ihe honorable gentleman then proceeded to
the discussion of another subject, and earnestly
opposed the passage of the Senate resolution pro
posing to confer the title of lieutenant general for
distinguished military service in Mexico. He
opposed it on the ground that General Scott had
never been mngnanimous to either friend or foe
1t was draft on the Democracy which he was
not willing to accept. And he opposed it be-
cause the records will show that General Scott is
not entirely worthy of the title; and he said, in
the course ofhs remarks-which were in no
manner complimentary to the distinguished chief
that General Scott was guilty of offending
against honor, his government, and his character.
he SAID ne DID not oppose the resolution from
personal considerations.
mr.. LANE OF Oregon, asked the gentleman to
yield the floor.
MIR. Polk said he was no resurrectionst. He
was "hnality man. and was in favor of a final
ity OF the funeral ceremonies of the ed Noyem-
Der, 1859.
MIR. LANE thenaddressed the committee, saving
that the acquisition of Cuba is foregone concIu.
sion; It's fate is settled; there was no power to
change 1t, and therefore he thought it was unne-
cessary for the House to discuss the subject Cubo
is destined to be ours. While he said this, he
hoped that our Government will never do wrong
by violating treaty stpulations but maintain high
and honorable course towards all the nations of