The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-01-06

Government OF Charles X, or Louis Philippe.
Each OF the Governments which has risen and
fallen since the time of Louis XVI, has promis-
ed itself eternal duration. am waiting to see
what will come next"
give these Conversations because they are
more instructive than any speculations of mine
would be.
SPEECH OF MR.. MASON, OF VIRGINIA,
In the Senate, December g.
On the resolution calling upon The President for
Correspondence in relation TO the Tripdrtite
Cuban Convention.
MIR. President, if any further evidence were
necessary to satisfy this country that the eyes
of the two great maritime and commercial
powers OF Europe have been directed, with in
creasing interest, to the relations borne by the
continent Of North America to the Island of
Cuba, it would be furnished by the fact dis
closed in the message, to which this resolution
refers The position which the Island of Cuba
geographically holds to this continent is such,
that almost ever since we became nation, it
has been looked upon with the deepest interest
by all our statesmen The Island of Cuba lies
in the gateway of the Gulf of Mexico and all
our statesmen, of every political complexion,
from the foundation of the Government to this
day, were admonished thereby that the vigil
ance of this country must never be relaxed in
regard to the political relations of that Island.
But there is something more, apprebend,
which has led these two great European Pow
ers to make to this country proposition which
they should have known when they made il
would be declined They should have known
that sir because the whole history of the 20.
litical action of this country would forbid the
acceptance of such an invitation but they have
made it, and we are informed by the President
that it has been declined
Sir, the reasons for making it under the cir.
cumstances suggested require no seer's gift tc
comprehend 1t has been the established poll
cy Of this country, made known in the most
open, frank, and undisguised manner to all til,
Powers of Europe, that while the Island o
Cuba remained a province, dependency o
Spain we should never interfere with it, bu
that if ever any ambitious or grasping potent
ate should attempt, either i sr; ssapne or b!
treaty, &c fa1e Tao ,sand Of oios from IN
possession of Spain, it would become this coun
try, cost what it might, to interpose and to pre-
vent it, Every country in Europe knows tina,
What, then, has led to this invitation lointl
| CAtchu'd w viz WV EiShe poWctiui mhIiefiii
nations of Europe ut this time Mr. President
! can trace it to but one cause--a belief on th
| part Of those Governments that there is tend
ency in the popular mind in this country t.
take Cuba, and the invitation was intended q,
an intmation that France and England were
In alliance to prevent it.
Now, sir. am here free TO declare, repre-
senting, rs | do, a section of the country as
L. 4 "a. h. f,t,, =. "a
Cuba TO this continent rs any other; in my
place as Senator from the South, and upon
my responsibility as statesman of America,
that am content Cuba shall remain in the
possession of Spain, unless it can be acquired
from her by voluntary cession on her part, or
unless the people Of Cuba, by their own act
shall sever all political connection with their
European mother and voluntarily propose an
nexation.
Sir, the honor, the dignity, the good name
of America, for oil time to come, demands at
the hands of the American people, not only
that they should not sympathize with or en-
courage but that they should Indignantly
frown upon and suppress any attempts by vio-
lence in any form, to wrest from Spain any
part Of her Observation-Disclosures they be slim
ulated by political ambition or by a spirit of
speculative maraudiDg on the part of those who
engage in it.
The policy of this country as have said,
has been announced to oil Europe Spain is q
weak power, and it is fortunate for us and for
our peaceful relations with the continent of
Europe she is 80. Cuba is her property, as
fully, exclusively, and entirely her property as
Oregon or New Mexico is ours and any at
tempt, whether made by individuals in viola
ton Of the laws OF their country or made by
the Government in its polite capacity, to dis
member Cuba from Spain, would tarnsh, for
ever tarnish, our national fame.
Sir, know of no safer guaranty for our own
rights, our national rights, aud the rights of
the States in their sovereign capacity, than a
uniform and scrupulous regard to the rights
of others Bot Mr.. President the invitation
thus given by those two Powers acting jointly
proposing on their part tripartite convention
Of the three Governments, to disclaim, now and
forever hereafter; any purpose of acquiring
Cuba, by any means, imports a more enlarged
than its language would convey
| should read its meaning thus France and
England believe that the possession of Cuba
by the United States would be fraught with
injurious to them, and therefore
they give us to understand by this form of
that they are in league TO pre-
vent it, Now, Sir, treating IL thus, have this
TO say: we have already indicated our policy
10 let Cuba alone, and sacredly to regard the
rights Of Spain. We know that in the fnllness
Of time the fruit will ripen, and fall from the
parent stem. When that time shall come, its
political coalition with this continent is in.
evitabe. Interference by other nations NAV
ha stan thia ovent hut thu oo,oh;v v>o.v~- n
Europe cannot prevent it,
This, sir, is a full, and think an Ineligible,
reply to any question Of European interference
with the political condition Of Cuba.
Sir, who can doubt but that the acquisition
If Cuba by the United States is a question of
lime only-purely question of times In the
progress Of empires in the formation of ma
ions, they grow from infancy to youth, and
10 to manhood Great and powerful a. our
country is, il 10 yet in it's youth; and II is of
little moment 10 us whether we acquire Cuba |
q this generation or in the next but come il !
will, just ms certainly as that the world re-
7olyes upon its axis
Mr. President regretted, deeply regretted,
o REQ, Just before we were assembled here at |
he present session, that the President of the |
United States had thought 1t proper, upon
general call for the correspondence by the
'ther House, TO divulge all communications
which had passed between this Government
md Spain, on the subject Of Cuba, from its |
irst commencement. ] do not mean to ques-
ion the motives Of the President in 40 doing,
'ut do question his judgment.
Whatever IL WINS intended To effect, one con-
equence must bs the result the postpoDement