The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-20


heard OF H. introduced resolution into The Senate
with view 10 ascertain from the Executive what were
the true facts OF The ease And the resolution before
as instead OF coneedng anything in favor Of this col
ony oil The bay Islands, introduced before we had
any answer from the Executive or any knowledge but
vaSse report OF the British government Subsequent
events bave come TO enighlen Who, then, has
Ight 10 say that there has been any delay neglect in
ths matter or that these resolutions concede anything
England! Have we said that the Monroe doctrine shall
not apply, but that Great Britain has right 10 hold this
colony, IN the very face OF her stipulation No
American czen or legislator ought TO say we have done
anything by which we acquesce the conduct OF Great
Britain IN reference TO the colonization OF the bay Islands
trust the executive govenmenthut upon this, without
book, as know noihlne-have taken proper course
and made the necessary investigations and remonsrahce
AT any rate this branch OF the legislature. as depos'-
tory OF much OF the powers OF The American people, has
but recently been made acqnaaied win me facis and
resolution the subject has been reported by the Com
mlltee on Foreign Relations within the last week There
fore, cay that no has right 10 assert that have
conceded any principle OF the Monroe doctrine in rea-
ton TO the Bay Islands.
Then how is il with respect 10 the other two cases
mentioned BY The senaor,he treaty with Mexico, and
The Clayton Bulwer treaty. The Mexican treaty lermi-
mated glorious war with great many advantages to
our country 1t is not necessary no the circum-
stances OF The formation and ratification OF the treaty
We gained much and conceded but little. The Clayton
and BulweT treaty was concluded twenty-five years after
The Monroe doctrine had been promulgated but not en-
forced Attempts had more than been made to pro-
cure the sanction OF Congress 10 This doctrine order
give II It's proper effect Bu they bad tailed, and il pos
sble that the fate may for while await the present
effort That doctrine had renamed dead letter upon your
national archives Then there came proposition from
England TO agree that we should not interfere that part
OF the continent, If they woudnot 1t the best thing
we could do We could not get congressional sanction
OF The Monroe doctrine; and the honorable senator at
Tins day 10 not willing 10 Join in giving It, repeat,
what had we to do under those circumstances Why,
II was manifeslly our policy to agree with England TO
keep hands OIL, Therefore i was that voted Tor the
ratification OF The Clay ton Bulwer treaty agree that the
subsequent conduct e England has been perfectly unus-
hable and those who voted against the treaty had good
ground for their position if they suspected her of bad
faith, as the subsequent facts have shown But instead
OF that treaty being abandonment OF the Monroe doc
ne ITS very object was to carry that doctrine into ct
feet by preventing the future interference OF Europe
power in the affairs OF this continent That this OBJ
Jec has failed OF attainment by the bad faith of Eng
land and by her prs'eslon TO ciFcumscbe Central Amer
ca not by It's true boundaries but by those assumed by
yourself Is no charge against those who voted for the
treaty.
Inc honorable senator objects that this resolution de-
clares that in any ultimate contingency that may arise
will do what interests and honor require Now, al
low me TO say 10 the honorable gentleman that in the in
tercourse between nations, where solemn declarations
ike these arise, there are Two modes OF proceeding
is an absolute declaration TO nations Of the world,
such OF them as are interested in the matter, if such
certain act done injurious to the power protesting il
shall be followed by war Another is by declaration
that such power reserves to itself the RICH, to under
the circumstances The occasion may require The la-
ter is The declaration OF this resolution in regard col
oniZation the former Is the declaration of the
regard to Cuba By il pledge ourselves to intervene
by warif any other power should attempt to gain pos
session OF Cuba
But with regard to colonization we leave il to onr sue
cessors to act circumstances may require There Is
nothing in the history of national inter
course, nothing common when grave exgencies
arise, when events seem 10 announce political convul-
sons in consequence OF unreasonable and unjust peten-
SONS, seriously affecting the honor interest of nation
than Tor such nation publicly 10 proclaim It's policy and
the course OF action it intends pursue the prelenslon
Is pushed 10 action. And would say TO the honorable
gentleman, as said before, that there is power in the
world which will entirely disregard the declaration of
The people oil the United a
their interests and honor. Nor is II merely throwing
away words to declare what that course will be- Such
declaration made IN the name OF the American people
by Their authorized servants. IS not vain display, but
is solemn annunciauon OF their purpose, and, SUCH
will be believed and heard by the powers of the world,
and does not become an American senator to diminish
the Influence OF such proceeding by any doubts as to
the course OF other countries, or as TO his own
The senator recommends course that conradle's his
own doctrine. he is for proest-by whom! By the
President Thirty years have gone by since Mr. Mon.
roe proclaimed his doctrine He protested. Mr. Polk
protested. and il is 10 avoid the failure which attends
Executive protest that ] introduced this resolution.
wish 10 put upon record the solemn protest OF the Amer
lean people by public act OF their government | want
this 10 60 before the world aathoatvey the declar
alton of the sentiments and purposes OF the American
people Suppose The honorable genileman's mmend
aon should be adopted, and the President should pro-
test il Is well known 10 Europe that Executive has
no power TO declare war-no power IN TRUTH 10 enforce
his own act That power Is lodged exclusively in the
two houses OF Congress- and unless they the prn
cple the nations OF Europe may continue 10 disregard
our presidential decaraons Tor they well know that he
who makes them cannot give them effect Are you go
ing TO protest without reference wba, is TO follow
Your protest. IN such connncure, to be efectua must
be folowed by some indication OF the you intend
TO pursue the of its being dsregarded; any
rate, some declaration OF your dete animation to meet the
contingency with frmness and decison.
The senator says he is for giving pledges; yet he
is for protesting the part OF the Executive 10 relation
10 the colonization of the Bay islands, and he n,ima,es
rather than states his Willingness to support IL by con-
gressional action. Such protest, II 1t carries with II
no pledge OF action or resistance, is mere waste OF
words unworthy OF The American people The only
value OF such national declaration consists in the de-
termination OF the people making 1t to enforce it, and in
the conviction Of other nations that 1t pledge that
will be redeemed, whatever may be the consequences
The honorable senator says this is awful threat.
Well sir. his protest, il il is anything bu, paper,
is another awful threat There is view which you
take OF general protest which is not equally APP
plIcabe 10 a special one. The history OF the world is
filled with such examples and declarations II the honora
BILE senator il in favor OF the principle, what objection
be have 10 prociaiming H. and making il efficient al
once by congressional declaration What objection can
there be 10 its receiving sanction without first pass.
ing through the executive department. Congress, IL
understand the gentleman, and am sure do, ia 10 act
after the President has acted, and acted in vain The
difference between IL, that choose TO go to
the great depository OF the power OF the American peo
pie Tor That indication OF national action which may be
necessary.
few words with respect 10 Cuba repeat and
the Senate all know well do that The condition OF
Europe and the world is mos, extraordinary and from
day TO day, from hour 10 hour, indeed, tell
what 10 Ia happen Ii is therefore necessary for all
tons be prepared II is the very time when nations
TO pursue in certain probable contingencies; and
whyp That other nations. knowing the dptsrmnat