Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard., 1853-01-15


thrown its cloud-where truth shines upon the
page and gives out light which cannot mlslead
We are taught by all history, human and divine,
that the punishment of nations as such Is In this
world, because they exist only here. Populous
countries, great empires once the wonder OF the
world, have filled the measure of their lmqmtes
of rapine and oppression and live only in tradlton
Or as beacons on the shores of the tide OF time
They have perished for the violation of the great
principles of Justice the victims of their accu-
( mulated crimes The disregard of physical laws
brings immediate punishment to the offender; the
violation of moral laws, although long delayed, IS
not the less certain. Nations we'll as individuals
are subjected to the results, and with equal
certainty The desire for the acquisition of terri
| tory in general and of Cuba in particular, under
the name cf progress, threatens to involve our
country in difficulties of a most complicated char
actar And there is something curious IN the fact
that many who made much capital, in recent cleo
tion of the known desire of one of the candidates
to annex Canada, have lost sight of that enorlnlty
in the gre at dcsireabeness of this tropical Island
lvinr on our coasts; the evils, manifest IN the in
corporation of English territory with institutions
greatly resembling our own, should be so over
whelming and the absorption of a population
wanti.g sympathy with ours, should present no
such ditficultes-awaken 10 such apprehensions.
Sir, have no hesitation i'll declaring that should
Cuba be alienated by Spain, the United States
must be party to such alienation. We cannot
consent to the transfer of that Island to any other
Power. But the transfer if made, will be on terms
consistent with the honor of both and all parties
concerned But Spain, the owner of the Island, is
the proper holder, and whilst Spain holds it we
have our best interests subserved. That Spain
means to holdt we have the best evidence because
the publication of the late negotiations discloses
that Spain refuses to sell-rejeets the proposition
to dsintegrate her empire by selling her domains.
II I
Cuba at least far as indicated by current events.
France and England have proposed to unite with
us to guaranty the possession of that Island to
Spain. Whilst I approve of the rejection of that
alliance by the Government of the United States,
mention it as an evidence that there is no pur-
pose to dnvest Spain of her possessions by the
Powers of Europe. The policy which our interest
indicates is to leave Cuba in the possession of Spain,
her righttul owner and to the rest of the world a
dsinterested stakeholder and leave to the future
the development Of the proper course to be pursued
Annexation OF territory may become Indispensable;
and when it is so, Iapprove the act l advocated
the annexation of TeXas-I approve Of the pur-
chase of Louisiana. The mouth of the Mississippi,
and the military importance of Texas, rendered
both indispensable to our interests, and Of
paramount importance. And whilst an advocate
and defender of the Mexican war, believing it to be
just, and one in which the country was properly
/
ton of territory, in closing the war, unless entirely
dvested of population, as was consistent with our
honor. Our country, prosI erous as it Is, needs
nothing much as repose-nothing important
us deliverance from vexatous disputes, and the
disturbance and misdirection of those energies now
so successfully employed for our prosperity.
1t with great satisfaction that read the re-
marks of the distinguished Senator from Virginia
| Mr.. Mason, the chairman of the Committee on
! Foreign Relations. With his views as there ex-
pressed, 1 entirely concur The honor and the in
| terests Of the country will always be safe when
guided by such policy. But am far from sup
posing with others, that our manifest destiny
our power of expansion, and our duty to propa-
gate free principles, demands so extended theatre
as this whole continent, and the islands ADJACENT
thereto l dissent from the opinion that we are
to be Propagandss of the principles Of free govern
ment i'll any other mode than by the bright ex-
ample of success at home. OF all people, those of
our country should be most ayerse to inter
YentiOn in the affairs of others-most Jealous of
intervention by others in our own. The govd sense
| of the people rcbuked the designs of distinguish
/ ed, or rather notorious and splendid wanderer,
who, short time since, sought to involve us in
the troubles of Europe. lie succeeded at least in
finding friends enough to give him that material
aid which replcnished his exhausted exchequer.
which he now may quietly enjoy free from the
demands for coupons by the holders of Hungarian
| bonds Conservative myself | represent people
who strictly onseryatiYe-conserYatYe in the
highest in requiring strict adherence to the
! Constitution and laws, and an nnwavering regard
for the rights of all nations. Conservative in the
protection OF property, and the preservation of in
divdual rights. Denying the right of all to inter
vene in the social and domestic institutions, ready
| to resist all interference with their rights. 1t is
! for this reason that held that those who inter
vene must take the consequences of thoir own
conduct. 1t becomes personal concern of their
own, and the result must be felt by themselves
alone.
We cannot be inseBsible to the spirit of propa-
gandism which deeply affects portion of the peo-
Iple. fit be either encouraged or fostered by the
Government if it pass without rebuke if it be not
repressed, our people must come to be considered
the brigands Of the world, going forth to seize
upon the possessions Of adjoining nations and as
a natural consequence, concentrate upon us the
focus of Indignation and ill-wl of all the world.
This ought to be so. The individual whose grasp
ing disposition, whose unsuitable rapacity leading
him to oppress the poor and overreach the feeble,
Emay acquire property, but the end will be dsas-
trous. There is but code Of morals for all the
principles of justice are eternal Observation as
well experience, passing events we'll the
cords of the past have been but little needed, if
this lesson has not been learned.
1 have already said that our Maker Furnishes ma
tons in this world, because they exist only here.
Mans individuality exists forever Nations are of
Ill lII-s