Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-01-21
senn,e sr.,.o U.si.s., s,a.es.
TUEsDAr, January Is, 1858.
CUBA-THE MONROE DOCTRINE.

Mr.. CAss said That two Presiients-Mr Mon
roe in 1924, and Mr.. Polk in 1845-had announced
the doctrine contained in the resolution and had
given good reasons why it should be adopted.
lie would not now repeat those resons; thew
were familiar to all. This declaration, as made
heretofore, was but Executive protest against
the recoonization by any European power
of any rart of the American continent The
right of this Government to adopt any such pol
icy resulting from principle of nations
which always adapted itself to the circumstances
OF the time-as the right by discovery unknown
before, came into existence with the discovery of
America. To give any European nation the right
to convert Independent States of America into
dependent colonies, would be to involve this na-
ton surrounded by such colonies, in any war
which might take place in Europe. In such a
war these colonies would of course become par
tisans. and the commerce and communication of
the United States, from one part of the continent
to the other, would become embarrassed, de-
ranged. and destroyed. Underthese circumstan-
ces tie Inherent righ Of self protection author
lied this declaration.
He referred to the correspondence and CONVEX
sation between Mr.. Rush and Mr.. Canning on
this subject in which the latter said that Great
Britain could not view with Indifference any of
the American States taken possession of by
European powers. Great Britain was right in
thus viewing the matter, though ut the time en-
gagged in II convention which was to place this
whole matter in the hands of European nations.
When Mr.. Monroe. Mr.. Polk, and Mr.. Canning
ayowed themselves believers in this doctrine, he
and others could we'll afford to abide the sneers
and scotls everlastipgly thrown upon them. IL
the course recommended by Mr.. Canning thirty
years ago was just then. the reasons for it had
become stronger now. 1t was asked why repeat
the declaration now! There was no doubt but the
annunciation of the doctrine by Mr.. Monroe had
produced an effect relating to the Spanish Amefi-
can States; yet we could not deny that its effect
is now dying away, and that the politicians of
Europe are fast coming to the belief that the
United States do not intend seriously to insist on
it. 1t becomes this nation, under the circum-
stances, to declare that we do not intend it, and
that If Cuba be seized upon in defiance of that
declaration, we intend to resist it by force. The
declarations OF Mr.. Monroe and Mr.. Polk had
lain idle in the Government archives, and wanted
the distinct confirmation and authority of legis-
latiye sanction.
1t was evident to the world that experiments
were making on our forbearance, and being ye'd
ed to in some cases, events would be fore I'd upon
the United States which it were better to antici-
pate. He referred to some remarks by Mr..
Guizot some years since, in which doctrine was
laid down utterly inconsistent with our honor and
safety. Public sentiment this sube on
most questions, he said, had long been in advance
OF Congress. Some years ago the Senate refused
to consider resolutions on this subject.
He referred to various circumstances rendering
this declaration more necessary and ustiiabe
than when first made by Mr.. Monroe. He al
luded to the recent attempt to acquire Sonora by
the French agents, which act, if it had been sue
cessful would have been ayowed by the French
government, and Sonora claimed as a province of
Eranca. II a ouota1 from yarOus Erancb ,,uhIf.
cations showing that the policy of France and
all Europe is to check the progress of the United
States He had no doubt but that that policy
would go on.
lie thought any declaration of the desire of
the United States to purchase Cuba rs out of
place in those resolutions. He was willing to
purchase Cuba, but would prefer that the people
OF Cuba would by some arrangement with Spain,
or by revolutions become independent, and then
propose a union with the United States.
He commented at length upon the Importance
of Cuba as military position, and one which in
the possession of England would be most de-
structive to the United States Spain was not in
a condition to do us harm, and he preferred she
should retain it.
He quoted from debates in the British Com
MONS and declarations by Lord George Bentick,
concerning the lien by Great Britain on Cuba.
and the policy of England was to distrain Cuba,
He referred in most complimentary terms to
the letter recently written by Mr.. Everett to the
British Minister in reply to the proposition to es-
tablish the tripartie treaty
He dwelt considerably on this proposed con-
vention and the reasons inducing its offer
He defended his resolution against the taunt
that it was John Doe aud Richard Roe notice
to the world. Such notice had been given by
our forefathers on the 4th of July, 1776.
Ia; Il, r
try since the days of the revolution, and its gil
gantic and rapid strides to power, wealth and
prosperity, and to its advancement in political
position. l he rig ht of search long the subject
of diplomatic controversy, had been settled; the
practical assertion of that right again by
Great Britain would be the signal for war
He defended himself from various charges of
demagoguelsm; and commented upon some arti-
Giles recently published in the Buffalo CONNER
cia Advertiser. He regretted the existence in
many minds in this country of unpatriotic sen.
t;ments and opinions. He hoped the Emperor
of China would lay no claim to California, for if
he did he had no doubt there would be found many
in this country who would defend the claim as
against our own. He stated at length the posi-
ton he desired this nation to occupy with res,
pect to its foreign relations md hoped to see that
desire accomplished
Mr.. BUTLER said that he desired simply to
make an explanation, which perhaps was called
for by the remarks just made. He sympathized
with the Senator in many of his patriotic declara-
tons, and he did not know but what he assented
to many of his doctrines. But he intended to
90 into no examination of the whole subject, nor
to follow the Senator in the whole encyclopedia
of our for eign relations Mr.. Monroe's cabinet
was composed of men of practical views they
were not mere diaetc politicians, and that de-
caration, as he understood it, from the explana-
ton given oft by Mr.. Calhoun, who was men,
Der of that cabinet, was intended to meeta practi-
cal issue then presented-tomeetwh what was consd
cred practical question touching our institutions
and rights. The allies OF Europe after forming
what was called the Holy Alliance feeling them
selves powerful, were inthe arrogance oftheirpow
or, disposed to restore the Spanish dominion in the
American republics. They felt that institu-
tions, in their rapid growth, were injurious to
them, aud they thought fit to restore to their do
niuion legitimacy and DIES ootsm in those States