The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-12
THE CUBAN QUESTION.

THE CUBAN QUESTION.
In anticipation Of the publication in paper OF the
able speech delivered by Mr. Inserso in the House on our
foreign relations cannot refrain from inserting once
the concluding remarks Of that gentleman together with
the eloquent response OF Mr. Perkins question pro-
pounded him by Mr. Ingersol II viii be how nobly
the sentiments Of these statesmen contrast with the equyo-
cal patriotism of contemporaries of the Naoaal Intel
lgeaee who have just furnished fresh evidence Of their
habitual sympathy with foreign governments Ii graft
flying to find positions ably sustained by these
two distinguished gentlemen. The extract 10 which we
refer is as follows
M iNaKRsoIL said will pursue this discussion
ther might have much upon what seems to me TO
be the threatening aspect Of affairs home refer
To Cuba, and If he will permit me- viii ask my colleague
upon the Committee Foreign Affairs the gentleman
Louisiana, Mr. Perkins, whether he concurs the views
expressed by the senator from Louisiana the other day
see them published in the papers few days since and would
further ask him whether he believes views his
own State With this question yield the floor to the gentle
man from Louisiana for answer.
Mr Perkins, Of Louisiana. have been gratided by the
able speech OF the gentleman from Connecticut and certainly
have no objection to answering his question far it
my power to do but that does not extend much beyond
the expressonf my belief upon the point
to- Louisiana has decided interest the position Of Cuba
and share in the views of the State
gard to the interference of other in the affairs of that
island If the gentemans question: however, the
views Of the State Of Louisiana TO Spanish policy it is
belief drawn from various sources and asserted in the
message Of governor that although nation have
been protesting for years. in various FORMS that would
submit to the transfer of Cuba any foreign
ment yet at this very moment she u.s. all practical pur
pose under the control of France and England and by them
used TO in and to extent that
would not be tolerated if either Of them held open dominion
of the Island.
~ believe further that in my State or least in my
mediate district the conviction is general that Spain will
part voluntarily with that island and that if it
sundered from her. it will be by violence believe that
France and England under obligation aid Spain such
contingency, and that they, in spirit endorse the sentiment
Of the Spanish statesman who said let the island sink
into the ocean rather than transfer it to America
More sir believe that this feeling upon the part Of
those who direct the policy of these powers is the result Of
hatred, intense hatred, for institutions believe that
they feel that in Cuba is to be fought the battle for supremacy
between the Old World and the New and that they would
hold her mailed sentinel commerce, embematc
of the deposm of past age, breathing hate and defiance
against everything which speaks of progress believe that
with this state of circumstances have the right and is
becoming us to inquire when foreign interfere
to protect depotc rulers in the unjust and rannca
else of power for injury ii under obligation
interfere for sefdcencc and the protection the subjects
that tyranny which in such close contguty be
very door.
~ will go further, and say that believe there is also
settled conviction in Louisiana what this gov
eminent ought to pursue. think it general conviction
that this 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 grating the governor
and revising her laws, and actually writing dispatches
about her future welfare is the duty Of Congress act
If content ourselves with merely endorsing the manly
sentiments of the Presidents inaugural and go further
viii deserve to be considered Inundated before the
world.
" 1t is said and it published the world in the most
authoritative manner under the signature the President
and the Secretary of State that citizens of United
have bcn and STILL subjected to outrages upon their
and property Of fragrant character inflicted by Span
h authority. We have been denied any redress for the past
any for the future. Spain refuses with
commercial treaty, and yet directs the whole force Of
her laws against commerce, and she permits England and
avowed purpose of influencing Under these cir
cumstanccs believe the time has when, by principle
and fact justified in abating nuisance.
One other word, and have finished. 1t is this-and it
win be complete answer, far as concerned. to the
question of the gentleman from Connecticut'How would
you redress these outrages would do it. sir in open,
manly and direct manner, and would do it at
would have other nations TO understand that II is not only
sentiment but conviction in the United States that the
wrongs OF individual citizens national wrongs.
" Mr.. lEoERsoLL. Mr. Chairman, am happy the gentle
from Louisiana has replied promptly and eloqueny
the question which put him, More than gratifed
the views which he has fit to promulgato here
day trust that they the views Of every member of this
body and that if when the dispatches, which think we
must shortly have before u, show that England
bottom OF this whole question Of with Spain do hope
this government viii have the energy that the
of the people of the country win have the energy pro-
claim our rights, and stand to them to the last"