The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-26

MR. PERKINS whether concurs In the views expressed
by the senator from Louisiana the other day,
them published in the papers few days since and would
further ask him whether he believes such the views of
his State2 With this question, yield the floor TO
the gentleman from Louisiana for
Mr.. PERKINS, of Louisiana. 1 have been gratitied by
the able speech OF the gentleman from Connecticut and
certainly have no objection 10 answering his question
far as IL is power 10 do but that does not extend
much beyond the expression of belief upon
the point referred to- Lousana has decided interest in
the position OF Cuba and share in the views Of the
tor from my State in regard the interference of other
powers in the affairs Of that island II the gentlemans
question, however extends the views of the State Of
Louisiana as to Spanish policy, i is my belief drawn
from sources and asserted in the message of
governor, that although nation have been protest
ing for years in various forms that would submit
to the transfer OF Cuba any foreign government at
this very moment she i for all practical purposes under
the control of France and England and by them used
an annoyance 70 us IN manner and TO an extent that
would not be tolerated II either OF them held open doi
ion OF tile island. 4s Ttk4.fs y Hf
Ieeyo further that in my State at least in my inn
mediate district the conviction is general that Spain will
part voluntarily with that island and that II II il
ever sundered from her il will be by violence believe
that France and England under obligation TO aid Spain
In such contingency and that they spirit endorse the
sentiment OF the Spanish statesman who aid Let the
island sink into the rather than transfer it to
America" 9&8
More sir believe that this feeling upon the part of
those who direct the policy Of these powers the result of
hatred intense hatred for our institutions believe that
they feel that in Cuba is to be fought the battle for suprem
acy between the Old World and the New and that they
would hold her mailed sentinel over commerce,
in the spirit Of the despom of past breathing hate
and defiance against thing which speaks OF progress
believe that with this state Of circumstances have the
right, and it is becoming in to inquire when foreign
governments interfere to protect despotc rulers in the
just and yranncal exercise of power for injury if we
not under obligation to interfere for sedeence and
the protection of the subjects Of that tyranny when in such
close contguity to be at very door,
will go further and say that believe there is also
settled conviction in Louisiana to what this gov
eminent ought to pursue think it is that as this gov
has protested every form against the transfer of
this island to any foreign government and against the
policy which is being carried there and France
and England almost designating the governor and
vsng her laws and actually writing dispatches about
her future welfare il the duty of Congress to act If
content ourselves with merely endorsing the manly sem
timens of the Presidents inaugural and go no further,
we will deserve to be considered humated before the
world.
1t is said and is published to the world in the
authoritative manner under the signature of the President
and the Secretary of State that citizens of the United States
have been and STILL subjected outrage upon their
person and property of fragrant character inflicted by
Spanish authority. We have been denied any redress for
the past any for the future Spain refuses to
form with commercial treaty. and yet directs whole
OF her laws against commerce. while she permits
England and France to interfere with her domestic nsu-
tons, for the ayowed purpose of influencing our own
by principle and fact justified in abatng nuisance
One other word, and have finished 1t is thisand it
will be complete answer far am concerned TO the
question OF the gentleman from Connectcu"How would
you redress these ouages would do it, sir in open,
manly, and direct manner and would do ii at once.
would have other nations to understand that it not only
sentiment but conviction in the United States that the
wrongs of individual citizens are national wrongs.
Mr. 1NGERSOLL. Mr.. Chairman, am happy the gentle
from Louisiana has replied promptly and eloquenty
to the question which put to him. More than gratifed
at his view of the mode of redress which ii becomes
great nation like always to adopt and which he has
fit to promugaie here to-day trust that it is the
view Of every member Of this body and the dispatches
which think must shortly have before show that
England is at the bottom of this whole question ofours with
Spain, do hope this government will have the energy
that the representatives Of the people of the country viii
have the hrmnesso proclaim our rights and stand by
them TO the last Let this then be motto Freedom in
Sovereignty in tradeFreedom of this continent
from European pocyFreedom Of this nation from foreign
interference in its internal government