Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard., 1853-01-15

statement. As -
He said if Cuba ever comes to us, it must be by
treaty honorable and satisfactory to both countries,
otherwise it is forbidden fruit to the United States
This was said in reference to the indirect mode of
acquiring it by annexation after revolution, rem
dered successful chiefly by adventures from this
country. The conversation related to interview
with certain persons, inhabitants of Cuba, who
called upon him few days before. A gentleman
now present in this House was with me when they
called on Mr.. Calhoun rose to leave the room,
he requested US to remain and witness the conver-
sation. They spoke to him of the expected revo-
luton and the operations of General Lopez; he
said what we now all know to be true, gentle
men, you are mistaken, Cuba is not ripe for revo-
ton her people are not ready for such state of
things, and if Lopez invades Cuba, the enterprise
will be failure, and tell you, that under no cir
cumstances can this Government be complicated
with this revoluton." He often said to me, Cuba,
from her situation can never be alienated to any
other Power than the United States, and Spain,
the owner, is the best Stockholders best for and
best for the world. Nothing but unavoidable
cessity could Justify force in taking it. The pur-
chase is improbable and have most of the
commercial advantages without the expense of ad-
minstering the government. There were the
words and opinions of one whose brig ght name will
ever irradate the pages of our annals. Pure, wise
patriotic and just, one who cherished no narrow
views, and whose opinions and conclusions were
the result of profound thought and impartial in
vestgatOn; a statesman as contradistlnguis he'd
from Il mere politician a who had the firm
ness to be ust amidst the outbreakings Of sense
less camor, and whose expectations Of the future,
almost amounted to prescience.
Reflection, Mr.. Chairman, has confirmed me in
the propriety of his conclusions. Independently
of the difficulty just referred to- the emancipation
of the slaves in Cuba in of revolution, (Which
act would meet the appreciation both of France and
England. whose emancipated colonies surround the
Isand) there are other obje ectons to the acquisi-
ton, not only of Cuba but of Canada or any 9TH
er territory, which deeply impress my mind. Some
two years since witnessed the deep agitation in
this Hall, and throughout the country, upon the
territorial question. [ have drank the cup which
| was then presented to my lips in the shape of the
compromise. 1 did it at the command of the State
to whom [ owe my allegiance; and to whom and
my Creator alone [ owe allegiance. At the com
mand of my State acquiesccd in measures Of which
did not and Go not approve. But will not COM
NIT treason against the State whose constitution
and laws protect me. | acquiesccd because tt ose
who had right to control me required it. | ac-
quicsced honestly. l sacrificed feeling and judg-
ment in doing so, but l was bound to do both at
the command Of my sovereign State. | am net
now willing to disturb that which l am solemnly
bound to obey. The country demands repose; and
trust it may have repose. | will look for peace,
and will not prophesy evil. I cannot if [ would,
be ignorant Of the fact that the acquisition of ter
ritory must again awaken sectional hostility be-
tween the North and South. Contention will again
break forth with renewed vigor with the acquisi-
ton Of new territory, tanning into life fame which
will sweep over the whole land | cannot be TO-
norant that such an acquisition would bring back
renewed agitation of that subject, which the ex-
percnce of the past few years has rendered so pain
full to every member of the House.
J But sir, CARRY out the doctrine which has been
often asserted with reference to the acquisition of
Cuba; get it fairly of you can, but get it any how,
and the same view will annex Canada. This is
not desirable We have already vast fertile
occupied territory. The millions Of Europe are
emptying upon our Shores and, like the drops
which fall into the ocean and then disappear and
90 to swell the mighty mass of waters, they flow
along to the great West and our territories.
We feel their landing for a moment, and they
disappear and 90 where bread can be obtained.
Millions and millions of acres in the great West
are yet lying uncultivated. Yet we hear desires
expressed for more territory and Cuba must be ac-
quircd to furnish outlet for our slaves! Sir,
there is great mistake upon this subject griev-
Gus miscaculation of the effect of such an outlet
| If Cuba was and unsettled country, and with
capabilities for production such it now possesses,
then it would afford the outlet for the extension
of the area of slave territory. But Cuba has great
ipopulation-a vast multitude of slaves and free
blacks, well as of Spanish population already
there; and such is the unproductiveness of the
negro race that the slave trade is the means of
supply. This, upon the transfer of the Island must
cease, and would cease The drain for labor would
be from the Atlantic slave States already deficient
in operatives. Railroads and other developing
Improvements are incidentally increasing produc-
ton, and land is abundant and labor scarce. The
drain of labor would operate most deleteriousIy
upon the State of North Carolina as upon all the
sea-board States.
But, sir, this is a branch of the subject which l
may suitably discuss before my constituents,
than on the present occasion.
[ believe in the adaptation of our institutions to
the government of all who will ever grow up with
in limits. Among those indoctrinated from
childhood with the principles of the common law,
there is no difficulty in administering the Govern
ment, but there can be no more hazardous expert
ment than the absortion of whole people wi lh diff
ferent views of government, and with different
views of the relations of men with each other into
another political organization They will constitute
disturbing element in the legislation, and will
destroy the peace, the harmony, and prosperity of
the country.
We have heard a great deal of sympathy for
human iberty-sympathy for the human race
| When was younger man, had not the same
view of this subject which have now but have
seen this sort OF sympathy clustering around every
kind of fanatcism. We have seen it producing
f,1e