Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-05

mittee But II the chairman OF that committee desires
TO make his remarks before the commitment is made
shall not nterpose any objections though think it is
obviously and for many reasons better that he should
reserve them
Mr.. BUTLER. so do l.
Mr. DAVIS. 1t is better, in my opinion chat he should
take the subject up in the committee and then speak
us on It in the Senate believe that win be the better
course for all Of us.
Mr.. CASS. Mr.. President / desire to shy one word.
Thirty years ago Mr. Jefferson said that this question Of
European influence the most question that
was ever presented to him since the 4h of july 156 1t
is just as moraentous now as il was then.
But what wanted was to correct the idea that gentle
to entertain that this ie an abstract principle
consider Of the practical principles
sented to American Congress-pracca in its impor
tant application from day to day. guide to the Exec
tive upon great questions No principle be prac
tca and none that will be brought more into use from
day to day, in my opinion is entirely msapprehen
sion that it is an abstract principle.
And allow to say with reference to what was said
by the honorable Senator from Massachusetts,, (Alr.
DAVIS that cannot for my life understand the need of
reference of these resolutions to committee. These
resolutions have reference to colony in the Bay
Islands, any other place They assert great broad
principle; and whether the British have right to esta
blish lony there not whether they have or not
is perfectly mmateria The principle the same, ever
lasting in its nature and the resolutions only propose to
do what Mr. Jefferson insisted ought to be done in 1888
repeat that the resolutions do not refer to the fact Of
the establishment of colony in the Bay Islands, but to
the assertion of great principle and every gentleman
here who is willing say that that shall be the prn
cpe of the American Government is prepared to vote for
them and the establishment of fact by investga
ton by the Committee on Foreign Relations can touch
that principle It remains everlasting and the same
After you have established the principle apply to your
they but before the question arises
tain the facts But what objection there be to the
establishment Of the principle what reference it
has to any individual case certainly cannot understand
Mr.. DAWSON Mr.. President, desire to be heard
myself upon this question at proper time and let me
say that am little surprised that the Senator from
Mr. who oEh l,;c
oen and SO interestingly should say that there was
necessity of having practical question to act upon
Now, as understand it, these resolutions founded
upon facts supposed to exist of the formation of certain
colonies within the limits Of Central America and hence
the propriey Of the introduction of the resolutions Now
the consequences growing out of the Of these
resolutions are vastly important and already they
assuming sir, very psrtentous aspect Why, sir, Ian
guage been uttered here to-day that well calculated
to strike the minds of the American people The chair
of the Committee on Foreign Relations, r MAsoN
above all others to whom look for information
upon foreign affairs has uttered words and here
to-day that will be noticed throughout the civilized world
He has stated in the first place, that colonization has
taken place in the Bay Islands and the Belize. He
believes it to be If that be true, Mr. President, it
must be discontinued Hence, if oil the facts be true,
action, action becomes necessary. What action Con-
gressiona action.
Mr.. HALE, lin his seat) War.
Mr.. DAWSON. War, in the language of the peace
abiding gentleman from New Hampshire, (Mr. HALE.)
Now sir, before proceed inch further, should
language
from Massachusetts, Mr. DAVIS, upon firm ground, and
not only Understandings but firmly towards-what
Towards the consequences whatever they may be- But
the chairman of the Committee Foreign Relations
poses to-day to defer this subject till next Monday in
der that he may be heard for hour upon these most
important questions, without the presentation Of single
fact arising out of the communication of the President Of
the United States and when his speech shall have been
made unler these circumstances what becomes of the
ference to the message of the President of the United
States and where the presentation of facts to go before
the country upon which finally to act! Nowhere
maintain, Mr.. President that these llbuster resou
tons in relation to foreign affairs incompatible with
the dignity Of the body upon occasion like this IMAM
tain that should deal in distractions, and de-
clare what shall be and what shall not be- when intend
upon facts already ascertaned supposed to be
ascertained. Let call upon Committee Foreign
Relations before this body all the facts connected
with the colonization in Central America whether in Hon.
in any other part section Of that country
And when these facts shall be presented sufficiently
then we can correctly What do know about the
natter What does any Senator now know about 1t ?
The President tells you stated by the chairman of the
Committee Foreign Relations that he has no facts up
on which he communicate any thing. The chairman
then must do the best he and it turns out that
facts establish the position that organization colo
nization has taken place. what is the resultf Why that
that question is settled But if it be true that it has
taken place. give the facts then the Monroe doctrine
will come in, and in intended to come in
by the distinguished Senator from Michigan founded up
the idea that this colonization had already taken place.
though the fact not officially ascertaned Let get
the Official information, and then act upon IT,
Now what is the question growing out of these obser
vatons! Let these resolutions be laid upon the table
these distractions this rearmation of the Monroe doc
trne which, althoughnever introduced by way Of
buttons before has been firmly fixed in every American
statesman mind and determination There is
sty of resolving that will do and in such state
of affairs Let us first ascertain the state Of affairs, and
then resolve that that state Of affairs shall longer exist
&c. then let these resolutions lie the table, Let the
distinguished Senator at the head of the Committee
Foreign Relations bring in his report accompanying that
report by that speech which he desires TO deliver And
would ask what speech is il he desires to devers
speech upon Observation-Disclosures colonization not exist
be not but that il there colony established
in the Bay Islands Well now, why make speech Of that
kind! Unless 1t be upon facts-unless II be upon such
facts authorize actionwhy should insult the King
dom Of Great Britain any other Power by announcing
!" you do so and so, will do and So" Ascertain,
then what has been DONE and then ask its dsconnuance
That Is the course to pursue.
Mr.. MASON. Mr. President il the Senator will allow
me moment, think, by presenting to him the exact
posture Of this question: understand it, there win be
difficulty in dsposng of this subject The message of
the President of the United States in connexion with this
alleged colonization the coast OF Honduras be-
fore the Committee Foreign Relations to whom IL has
been referred There is before Them therefore, distinct
question upon which they may report and probably will
report. The resolutions ofeyed by the Senator from
Michigan (Mr. CAss) certain great principles Of
American policy alleged to have been ordained early
the year l823-thirty years ago. Now, what meant to
say was this 1t to desirable that the debate
which is commenced should 20 upon these general
principles Of American policy and upon that wish TO
be heard The report that may, and probably will, be
made upon the message of the President Of the United
States in reference specific colony, affects the appl-
cation Of certain Of these principles and only certain
them see necessity therefore, for reference of