Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard., 1853-01-15
REMARKS OF MR.. VENABLE,
OF NORTH CAROLINA

8 Mr.. HOUSTON. move 10 Caho up
No. 332, making appropriations for the suPPooI ooh
the Military Academy for the year ending 'n0 O0'D
June, 1854.
The motion was agreed to- =,
The bill was then read through by the CLERK;
Mr. VExAnLE. Mr.. Chairman | had intended
to have addressed the Committee OF the Whoie on
the Presidents message during the first days OF the
session. on the foreign policy to which 1t refers out
the introduction of the tariff, and the discussion
which sprung up thereon, as well As serious IN
disposition which prevented my attendance IN the
House, rendered it impossible. do not regret the
event. because l am gratiied that the House man
ifests disposition to consider and refer the mess
aoe and avert the discursive and intermnaole dc
bate which likely to arise. 1t IS to me source OF
great regret in thinking of the past, that the louSe
were chargeable, during the last session, with at
least an apparent want of courtesy to the EXecu-
tive in that during Il term of ten months, MS
message was never referred to the appropriate
committees say apparent, because l am very tar
from supposing that anything of the kind was IN
tended 1t is worthy of remark, however, that
such an occurrence is not to be found in any pre-
vious portion of Legislative history Its to be
hoped that it may not occur again. L trust that
shall be pardoned for availng myself OF the hrst
opportunity of expressing my views upon sub
ject second to none in Importance, which we may
be called upon to consider-matters involving mo-
nentous consequences to ourselves and our poster
ity-interests which affect our relations with the
whole civilized word-and consequences which
must give character to the future progress OF the
principles of free government-decitling whether
our example and our institutions are really to be
such an exposition of our purposes as shall author
ize our claim to speak the practical benefactors
of mankind None can be insensible to the re-
sponsibties which rest upon this Government in
the Judgment of the world.
1t is our high duty, Mr.. Chairman to demon
strate, by a constitutional and wise administration
of our domestic affairs, and Just and honorable
policy towards other nations, that free government
the government of the people is not a failure,
but successful experiment of all that is desirable
in social organization-an undeniable! roof that it
is the best and safest mode of administering poit-
ical power looking alike to external peace and in
terna prosperity originating in a just conception
of the dignily of man, and continually illustrating
in practice the highest excellence attainabe by hui
man wisdom. That this is practicable l cannot
doubt But am equally sure that it can be Sc
cured only by prudent policy, and stern adhcr-
ence to the precepts of justice and anntexible deter
minaton to regard the rights Of other nations, and
the restraint of all desires of undue advancement
of our own interests at their expense Our origi-
nal organization as Government, and our unpar-
aleled progress to wealth. greatness, and power,
would, in any other age of the world, have been
considered romance. The historian who should
have recorded such annals. would have been es-
teemed as one who was not careful of the truth
fulness Of his statements and men would have re-
garded his narrative as evidence of powerful i'm
agination rather than the medium for the ascer-
tanning facts. In three quarters of century, a
people weak in numbers, and of small resources,
have advanced to the position of one of the first
Powers of the earth. To us this great trust has
descended; and surely do not claim too much
when | say that it becomes us to be watchfu that
progress be for the future in the right direction
and that nothing should be lost by policy which
shall cast suspicion upon national integrity or
introduce false principles into the administration of
our Government
l have been induced to make these remarks be-
cause the message has presented for consider
alton the subject of the acquisition and annexation
of Cuba, as we'll as by the demonstrations which
both the press and many of those who form pub
lie opinion have for some time since made before
the country. We have heard of the capacity of
some to swallow whole country, and others who
desire the American continent and the adjacent
islands. These are sometimes the uttered senti-
ments of those in high places Canada, Cuba,
Mexico and the islands of the seas. are all looked
to as the subject Of acquisition in the great history
OF progress and the propagation of free principles
From all this, Mr.. Chairman, enter nv dissent.
The almost unlimited territory now in our posses
sion IS surely enough for US to pause upon in order
to complete the great work which we have to do
within borders. The harvest of prosper
ity in which we are called to labor and reap is am
pie, rich, abundant, which, as a wise people, we
ought to be content at least for season to cniov
To hazard such brilliant prospects would be both
uawise and wicked.
We have been butinattentive observers of pass-
ing events not to know that there is and has been
a purpose formed by those who have manifested
the courage to effect it, to acquire the possession
OF Cuba by creating and fostering a spirit of rev.
oluton there. and separation of that Island from
the dominion of the Spanish Crown. Of such p
system OF intervention cannot approve | think
1t peculiarly our duty to discountenance anv such
enterprises to enforce the laws which grow out ot
our treaty stlPuatons, to maintain peace with oul
neighbors, and to regard the eternal principles Of
justice in all our transactions
In the message of the President our relations
with the Spanish Government in reference to Cubs
are before US for consideration and take this oc
casion to remark, that it is due to him to acknow
edge that he has endeavored to execute the laws
IN irelation to the forcibe invasion of Cuba by
American citizens. L cannot censure hi N because
ne did not countenance theinvasion of the territory
OF people with whom we were and are at peace
Our Government cannot and ought not to be com
Plcated with such transactions. 1t is due to the
Executive to declare that he did in his policy dis
courage and refuse to protect those who, in full
view OF the consequences, embarked in that disas
trous enterprise. 1 weep over the fate of tbos
who were victims. They fell martyrs in a caus
IN which they risked their lives their all. The,