Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-23


I SIR. In yonrSissde Of Tuesday last on II Id NJ
f VenaBle up opposed to The great body of The ID
\ Inocraic party, on The Suba question. have toe
much respect for your honesty believe that you
would wifuily msrepresent any gentleman's views
under any circumstances, and must, therefore, con-
clnde that you have forgotten what Mr. Venable said
the subject in the House of Representatives, Jam
uary 8, 1853. have that speech now before me,
and ask you candid man. willing to do justice,
s. though the Heavens should faI,'' to allow space
in your paper for the following extracts. Mr.. Vena-
BILE said:
"Sir, have hesitation in declaring, that sh lid
Cuba be aenated by Spain, the Uniled States must
be party to such alienation. We consent to
the transfer of that Island to any other Power. But
the transfer, If made, will be consistent with
Inc honor of both and all parties concerned. But
Spain, the OF the Island, is the proper holder,
and whilst Spain holds it we have our best interests
subsqrved. That Spain means to hold it we have
the best evidence because the publication of the late
negotiations discloses that Spain refuses to se-re-
jecls the proposition 10 disntegrate her empire by
selling her domains. No power of Europe is dis
posed TO seize upon Cuba least far indca ted
| by current events. France and England have pro-
posed to unite with guafany the possession of
that Island to Spain. Whilst l approve of the rejec-
ton OF that alliance by the Government Of the United
states, mention II as an evidence that there Is no
purpose TO divest Spain of her possessions by the
Powers OF Europe. The policy which our interest
Indicates is 10 leave Cuba in the possession OF Span
her rlghttul owner, and to the of the world dis
Interested stakeholder, and leave TO the future the de-
veoPment of the proper course to be pursued. An
nexatIon of territory may become indispensable; and
when 1t Is so, approve the act l advocated the an
neXatIon of Texas approve of the purchase of Lou
isana The mouth of the Mississippi, and the mili-
tary Importance.of Texas, rendered both indspensa
BILE to our Interests and were of paramount impor-
lance And whilst an advocate and defender of the
Mexican war, believing it to be just, and in which
the country was properly engaged. was inclined to
take just small portion of territory in closing the
war, unless entirely dVested of population, was
consistent with our honor. Our country, prosperous
lS. IN IN reno
so important a deiverance from veXatlous dis
putes and the disturbance and instruction of those
energies now so successfully employed for our pros
pefity.
1t with great satisfaction that / read the re-
marks of the distinguished Senator from Virginia,
MIR. Mason, the chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Relations. With his views, there ex-
pressed, lentrey concur. The honor and the inIe-
rests of the country will always be safe when guided
by such policy
In the Congressional Globe, of 23d Dec, 1852,
Mr.. Mason holds the following language. This is
what Mr. VenabIe endorses and what every good
and loyal citizen ought TO endorse:
at has been the established policy of this country
made known in the most open, frank, and undis
guised manner TO all the Powers of Europe, that
while the Island OF Cuba remained province. de-
tendency of Spain, should interfere with il
but that if any ambitious grasping poIentate
should attempt, either by raPne by treaty, TO take
the Island of Cuba from the possession of Spain, it
would become this country, cost what it might, to
interPOse AMI to prevent it. Every Country in Ed
rope knows that.
Now, sir, am here free to declare, representing
as do section Of the country deeply interested
in the future relations of Cuba this continent as
any other; in my place Senator from the SonIh'
and upon my responsibility statesman eff Amer,
lea, that content Cuba shall remain in the pos
session OF pain, unless IL be acquired fIom her
by voluntary cession her part, unless the people
of Cuba by their act, shall all political
connection with their European mother and volunta-
rily propose annexation.
Sir, the honor, the dignity, the good name OF A.
merca. Tor all time TO come, demands at the hands
OF the American people, not only that they should
not symPathze with encourage, but that they should
Indignantly frown upon and suppress any attempts,
by violence in any form, to wrest from Spain any
part OF her observation-disclosures they be stimulated
by political ambition by spirit of speculative
marauding the part of those who engage in H."
Now, Mr.. Editor, l ask you, man of truth,
would you prefer that Mr.. Venable sh ouId abandon
his position and enuorse " flibusterism :" Doyou
endorse the sentiments OF many wild and reckless
slrIPllngs Of the day, and go in for taking Cuba,
81 peaceably if we can-by force ii must % The
people of this country, know, cannot doub, the
soundnesS Of Mr.. Venabe's course on this import
ant subect-more important TO our country than the
distribution of the public lands.
MIR. Venable also holds The following language in
his great Cuba speech:
Il adhere to the Monroe doctrine; Europe cannot
and must not interfere with the nations of this
tnent who struggling for their liberty and have
asserted their independence. Neither this Gov
eminent regard without offence the attempt to colon
ize monarchcal institutions upon the continent of
America. By this l stand in the fullest meaning Of
the also adopt the of the Monroe doc
tTne il. the message That during the struggle
between the Spanish colonies and Spain the United
States maintained strict neutrality-a neutrality
proper at this time then. And willis; do not
hesitate to say that's could not consent that Cuba
should pass into the possession OF any other Power
than the United States, am equally confident that,
unless circumstances greatly change, it is best for all
concerned that it remain in the possession of Spain.
There strong for believing that, under all
aspects of the question, the present interest of the
United States will be effectuaIly secured by
the continued ownership of Spain. Purchase is for
the present out of the question: Spain has refused
to sell. The course OF our own people was mainly
instrumental in that determination. The only mode
of acquisition besides is by conquest in with
Spain, annexation after a revolution has been
cessfuly prosecuted to Independence. The first
only be justified by wrongs inflicted and unredressed
by Spain upon the United States; for no just man
can for moment tolerate the monstrous wickedness
of war of conquest War-the greatest temporal
evil, except national dshonor, and justi6a5e
greatest crime which stains the world For this there
arise.'
Mr.. Venable is not alone amongst the Democracy
in his views OF the proprety of the distribution of
lands old States. The Journals of the last
Legislature disclose facts that be controvert
ed. Who has forgotten the great excitement The
land resolutions, in the House of Commons! Mr..
By nun, OF Northampton, introduced tie following
resolution, which will be found reported in the House
JOurnal. on maze 262. session of 1852