The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-15

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It was true that the United States and some 81
lite public men had been denounced in Europe az
marauders and robbers, and he would not vote for
any resolution which 81 Implication sanction
ed such an accusation.
There might be in tH4se clauses of the rcsolu.
tions lurking allusion d cetsain individual Of
about his proportions. II was customary with
some persons to attribute these law'ess and ma
rauding pufposes to q portion Of the people whom
they designate az ssYounr America, . and he had
been referred to the other day Al being identified
with that party. He knew Of nothing in his po-
iitical conduct deserving such, an imputation De
had for six years past uniformly voted treaties
and other matters to sustain the Monroe doctrine,
He had done more. The difference between him
and those with whom he had not voted was this
that he was against giving pledges for our future
conduct, and then submitting to their gross and
open violation. rs @
His sentiments with respect to Cuba had been
pualic for nine years So long as Cuba is con-
tent TO remain loyal to the of Spain be SO;
se had no desire or wish to disturb change that
relation Whenever the people Of Cuba shall
show themselves worthy of freedom by asserting
and maintaining free republican in titutions, his
heart, his feelings and his sympa,hies would be
with them. When that independence shall have
been asserted and maintained if it be desirable fof
their interests and protection, that we should do
for them as we did with Texas, he would receive
them into the Union Whenever Spain shall be
satisfied that che can no longer hold Cuba, and
shall be willing to transfer it to the United States
|
with her. If Spain refuse to transfer it to the Uni
ted States. and should do 80 to any European
nation, he was for taking possession of that island
and for holding it at all hazards.
He could not vote to make the first declaration
in the resolution, because by implication it sane.
toned the charge of turpitude against the United
States. He could not vote to make the second one,
viz: that it could not be transferred to any Euro
pean power, because no European nation would
dare hazard its existence by attempting to take it.
England would not attempt it, for the moment
she did 30 she would be banished the North Anne.
rican continent. She has given bond and surety
to keep the peace on this continent. Let us act
firmly in the matter of the present offence, and let
futur. events take care of themselves. This was
the course he took when the resolution on inter
vention was before the Senate. He was then and
now unwilling to say we would or would not in
terfere, bat leave ourselves free to act as we deem
beet when the case arises. He thought it was the
duty of the Executive to take the first step-to pro.
test courteously. respectfully and firmly against
the colonization of these Bay Islands. If the pro-
test Be dsregarded, let him ask of Congress action
in the matter. He intended to arraign no man
nor to attack any one; but as he had not till now
had an opportunity of explaining his course on the
several treaties be bad taken this occasion to do So
MIR CASS said the Senator had INDUCED in
some pretty free remarks on the resolution, and
he thought he could show them to be mere hyper
eriticiams. The Senator objects because the reso.
Luton says we have no intention to interfere with
or disturb existing rights Does the Senator
Mr.. DOUGLAS, COMPATIBILITY No.
Mr.. CASS Why not Say 90 then in the resolu-
ton! The words we're used by Mr.. Polk. Existing
rights does not mean existing wrongs If anV
colonization or possession at this time be wrong
1t ID not an existing right, but an existing wrong
and is not protected by the resolution The reso-
luton does not wipe out the past but leaves us free
as ever to act upon past wrongs IF the Raw
Islands taken in the face of the treaty and our
declared doctrine, it is an existing wrong and is
not therefore existing right in the words of The
resolution. Possessory wrongs were not existing
rights.
He thought there was use for this declaration of
the Monroe doctrine. Monroe, Jefferson, and
Polk, thought there was in laying this doc.
trine down But it had laid idle in the archives of
the nation, and should now be put in some a,thori.
tative shape The Monroe doctrine was not yio.s
lated in the Oregon treaty. The Senator had en-.
tirely msconceiyed the question. The moment
conceded the British line as coming down to
49 degrees, we conceded that the Monroe doctrine
did not apply above that line. We have given up
nothing in the Bay Islands affair." for it was not
known here till within six weeks We have done
nothing there condemning any Britieh rights AS
to Nicaragua, we could get no treaty there's and
the easiest way to enforce the Monroe doctrine in
Central America was to agree with Great Britain
to keep hands of. The gentleman was in favor of
protest by the President. OF what value is that?
Il had been already made by Messrs. Monroe and
Polk, but when put in this shape it will be the
protest of the American people in an authoritati tive
shape, and no nation in Europe would disregard
it. In these days, when no man knew what to-.
morrow would bring forth, it was proper that this
nation should notify the world of what it's policv
was 10 be- He did not intend, by the disclaimer of
any intention to disturb the rights of Spain, to
imply the existence of any turpitude on the Anne,
rcan character,
Mr.. DOUGLAS said such would be the Inference
of other nations.
Mr.. CASS said it had not occurred to him in
that light. He nothing of the kind in it, AS
to what was said about Old and Young America,
it was not fit for the Senate. Old America had to
bear its burden of abuse, and as Young America
got old it would have TO stand the same stream
MIR. DOUGLAS said as TO the remark about
Young America, he had never introduced it into
the Senate till after it had been comment ted upon
in speech on this subject the other day-the only
speech made yet on the subject to which the SEN
ator from Michigan had not replied He could
not, therefore, understand, certainly did not ex
pect to receive the lecture for using thoae words
from the Senator.
Mr. CASS said he had not lectured the Senator
He had always taken Old Fogy tn himself
MIR. DOUGLAS said if it was fit for the Senator
to use the words Old Fogy and Young America for
year within the Senate, it was fit for him to use
another Senator.
The Senator says that his words, existing rights
do not justify the past. Do they justify the taking
of Jamaica, seized by an usurper, whose act was
disavowed, but the territory retained. Did they
recognise the colony at the Belize, taken posses
sion of under grant 10 cut logwcod, and extend
ed without the recognition of spaibl Are we TO
consider all these existing rights? Pass this re-
solution. and Great Britain will tell you that these
are existing rights.
The resolution itself was vague and meaning
lees. The condemnation it pronounces was en-
tireiy in the future-henceforth was the word 1t
said that henceforth neaD colonies shall be es-
SC; thus carrying upon its face the in
evitabe construction that the past ia to be botted
out, but there terrible threats for the future
If the Senator will say that all European colonies
established on this continent since 1923 in viola
ton OF the Monroe doctrine, aud all that shall
hereafter beestablished, shal be discontinued and
resisted, they might agree
MIR. CAsS will vote for such resolution.
Mr.. DOUGLAS said. that was pretty strong
talking. He then understood that under the Sen
ators resolution the Belize is be surrendered the
Mosquito protectorate abandoned If 30, he would
rejoice to the resolution carry these objects
into execution. He had read the Senator's speech,
but never dreamed he intended his resolution to
extend SO far.
fGreat Britain was to be notified to quit the Be-
lie and abandon the Bay Islands, was it not to be
done through the State Department? This was
the executive protest he wanted If it failed, then
it was for Congress to act. He was for enforcing
the Monroe doctrine. If the Senator was 90 a so
let him unite with him (DouGLAs) in procuring
the abolition of the Clayton and Bulwer treaty.
which is in direct violation of that doctrine 1.-THE
Senator would put his resolution in that shape he
would ind him (DoUeLAs) his coadjutor in the
cause be had so much at heart. If the colony of
the Bay Islands and the Clayton and Buiwer treaty.
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