Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-02-26

custom, believe, wheE they come @ nv ~ 49, naala
pont TO me as the one most worthy 20 oea, .ne
ton have never either assumed pr disesahsl .rt
have never before alluded III and shonia ho' - us
sent occasion had II been ipuoiueed it' Itre im
scns Of the Senate; 10 such maJisl ~ = ice Il 49,
prtssion that eyeded il Il faile9 'oday dire .rl +,
awale that the Senator VIZ me ot e sunp0s,t lrc.
large portion OF his speech ag@r reference 10 .eli
trines q 1essc AArEssA i hat the only alusOn he
,nss = - -. tg,5 aad complimentary 90 iai 40
az oanssrsea ana tbSse who harmonic WIN ma
tmen ana actOp che votes z If them constitute
the onx rofesson o. faith deem u necessary %
on his subject an wiling 70 compare votes anu "e's'
principles apd Professions WIN any 9ehsor ~ M
laws N cations md treaty sPIlatoas may not nave
been widlg blndy recessly 70 pledge the iaith o.
he Repah:o foI ell time on points where IN me nature
8. bngs II rat reasonable 10 suppose that the pledge
sou "a preseryed may have deemed It wise aud pru-
dent u ed the control ~ aeton and leave or
ree according b their sense Of duty IN
der me cireur stances which nay then exist
Now sir few words with regard to the Island Of Gu
ba II any desires ny opinions upon that question:
no fearn faem very easily. THey nave been pro-
yaimed frequently for the last nine years, and still
nlain unchanged 1 have often said, and repeat,
that long the Island Of Cuba Is coutent 70 remain
loyl 60 the Of Spain be il Ihaye no desire no
wish 10 distur thu relation have always said, and
now repeat d 4 wLaneYr the people of the Island Of Gu
ba shall show hemseyes woTthy oF freedom by asserting
and maintaining their independence and establishing
publican Institutions, my heart, M synpathes, my pray
with them Tor the accomplishment the object
hare often said and repeat that whoa .h' nde-
pendence shall have been established ii it shall be neces
sary their interest safety apply Texas did for
annexation shall be ready do by them did by
Texas and receive them into tho Union. haye said
and repeat, that whenever Spain shall come to the
conclusion that she much longer maintain her do
non The island and that Il is better for her
II % upon fair and reasonable terms am one
OF those who would be ready accept the transfer
have said and repeat that whenever Spain shall re-
fuse to make such transfer TO US and shall make to
England any other European Power would be among
those who would be IN favor of taking possession Of the
Island. and resisting such transfer at all hazards
Thus far have often gone thus far now 60 These
my individual opinions, not of much consequence
admit but any who desires know them is welcome
to them But tits thing for me to entertain these
ndiyaal sentiments and il is another and very different
thing to pledge forever and unaterby the policy Of this
Government IN particular channel in defiance of av
Change IN the circumstances that may hereafter take place
d. not deem necessary affirm by resolution IN the
name OF the Republic every opinion that may
and De willing 10 act upon the representative of local
constituency an not therefore prepared TO say that
u i wise policy TO make any declaration upon the sub
Ject OF the Island of Cuba Circumstances not within
our control and originating in causes beyond our reach
may precpate state OF things that would change our
acton, AMI reverse our whole line of policy Cuba in
Inc existing position OF affairs does present practi-
ca! issue All that we may say do is merely specula-
ave- anu dependant upon contingencies that may never
nepleu SOFT Is, in great measure with the discussion
That mas occupied much Of the time of the Senate in
Although
Great Britain has other title than mere permit to
cut logwood il is undenable that she possession
The country before the United States become an indie
pendent Power and has maintained the undsturbed pos
session since Our Government recognised as
British colony in various ways and it is designated
in public documents II the object be 10 provoke
difficulty with England, regardless Of the merits of the
quarrel an inclined 70 think that IL be accomplish
ea easily aud readily by notice to quit the Belize as
abandon Canada Buff the object he to establish and
maintain cherished principle Of public policy in oppo
sluoa 70 European colonization ia America the new
British colony recently established at the islands in the
bay Of Honduras presents that distinct naked issue in
form which places clearly in the right Now i the
time for action. Here is practical issue presented
which should be evadel Nv vague generaities and
eqpivocal resolves which viii be understood one
thing on this side of the Atlantic aud quite different
thing N Europe Whatever action We take should be d.
rect, unequiyoca and against the Bay Island, colony by
name not certain the best mode Of proceed
liz but am inclined TO the opinion that the Executive
should take the initiative, and make courteous but firm
and manly protest against the nfracton Of the
and Blwer treaty, well the violation Of known
policy IN relation TO European colonization by the
ton Of this British colony together with the tnct
and unequivocal declaration that in event conn
gency the United acquesce in the continuance
Of the Bay Island colony II Great Britain yields 70 tn
protest aud dscontnues the colony tights and hono
Will oe yndcated and sufficient notice VIII be gwen Z
the world IL determination to enforce the principle
hereafter. IT, the contrary. Great Britain should in
sst in maintaining the colony in contempt Of protest
IL Woui1 become the President
the result 70 Congress- with the recommendation for the
adoption If such should be necessary to
bic him 70 yindcate violated rights. | parti.
cular, however, 70 the form of the proceeding Ny
great desire IS 70 meet the question fairly, and
whatever responsibility the consequences may involve and
not beat disgraccful under shelter Of terrible
threats in the the offence is repeated II we
with becoming discretion AMI frmnes have appre-
henson that the enforcement oi rights will lead TO
h0stities Great Britain will not I've willing 70 engage in
contest u with when she j. clearly in the
wrong She has given boud AMI security to keep the
peace towards the United States and she well knows that
the condition Of forfeiture il tie loss of her colonies,
aud her expulsion forever from the American continent
F!rmness and prompt uuequyocal action part is
the only sure mode Of preserving peace Let the Bay
Island colony be discontinued and let free ourselves
from enangng alliances by the annumcnt Of the Clay
ton and Bulwer treaty, ana the United States viii
the position entitled to among the nations
the earth.
Mr. President will trespass on the kindness Of the
Senate longer have deemed it due to myself and
the occasonto make this exposition Of my views have
ayel myself Of the earliest opportunity afforded by tht
removal u the injunction q secresy explain my
Tor opposing the ratification Of the Clayton aud Bu
treaty. | have contented myself with indicating
M course without assailing any one, calling il
question the conduct 81 others return my thanks 4
tie Senate for the kindness and courtesy extended 70
this occasion.
Mr. CASS said: Mr.. President the honorable Senator
from Illinois Mr.. DOUGLAS has INDUCED in pretty
hard criticisms upon the terms II my resolution and
desire 70 show Kim and the Senate, trust in
few moments that they rather hypercrtic.Ins not
all warranted by the Of the resolution The honor
able senator by saying that the terms OF this
resolution renQush the past aud the prcsest and refer
ony u the future because they existing rights
Does the honorable Senator mean To violate existing
rights
Mr. DOUGLAS. | have answered emphatically, n1
Mr.. CASs. Then why not say it in the resolution. !
saves existing rights" not existing wrongs. 1t l. il
a. AZ 10. -,