The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-08-09
Message

Message
OF the President of the. United States to
the Senate in Executive Session, touch.
ing our Relations with Spain.
WASHINGTON. August 1.
The following message vas oommuni-
Gated to the Senate in Executive Session
this afternoon, being an answer to a reso.
luton of inquiry offered by Senator Ma.
son, Chairman of the Committee on For
eign Relations:
To the Senate Of the United States.-l
hasten TO respond briefly to the resolution
OF the Senate of this date, requesting the
President to inform the Senate, if, in his
opinion, it be not incompatible with the
public interests, whether anything has
arisen. since the date Of his Message to
the House of Representatives Of the 5th
OF March last, concerning our relations
with the Government Of Spain. which. in
his opinion. may dispense with the sus-
gestions therein contained. touching the
propriety OF provisional measures being
adopted by Congress, to meet any ext
genoies that may arise in the recess OF
Congress. affecting those relations.
In the Message to the House of Repre-
sentatives referred tc. lsavailed myself OF
the occasion to present tine following re-
1ections and suggestions:
In view Of the position OF the Island oi
Cuba, its proximity to our coast; the re.
la,ions which it must ever bear to our
Commercial and other interests, i. is vain
to expect that series of untriendly acts,
infringing on our Commercial rights, and
the adoption Of policy threatening the
honor and security of these States, can
long consist with peaceful relations. In
case the measures taken Tor the amcaole
adjustment Of our difficulties with Spain
should unfortunately fail, shall not hesi-.
tate tonse the authority and means which
Congress may grant to insure the obser-
vance Of our just rights; to obtain redress
for injuries received, and to vindicate the
honor of our flag. In anticipation OF tha.
contingency. which earnestly hope may
not arise, suggest to Congress the pro.
priety of adopting such provisional mea-
sures as the exigency may seem TO de-
| mand.
The two Houses Of Congress may have
anticipated that the hope then expressed
would be realized before the period Of its
adjournment, and that our relations with
Spain would have assumed satisfactory
condition, SO as to remove past causes OF
complaint. and afford better security Tor
tranquility and Justice in the future
But, am constrained TO say that such
! is not the TACT. The formal demand Tor
immediate reparaion in the case of the
Il -
met on the part of Spain by prompt satis-
faction, has only served to call forth n
Justification OF the local authorities OF Gu.
ba; and thus, to transfer the responsibility
for their acts 10 the Spanish Government
itself.
| Meanwhile information, not only relia
BILE In its nature. but of an official charac.
ter, was received, to the effect, that pre-,
paration was making within the limits oi
the United States. by private individuals
under military organization for descent
wrest that Colony from,the dominion oi
Spain. International comfy, the obliga.
,:---e-..v-r.-s.--- rrru- r7kkPrrss proVIs'
ions Of law, alike require. in my ludg
fment, that all the constitutional power OF
The executive should be exerted to prevent
the consummation OF such violation o
positive laws. and that OF good faith Oh
which mainly the amicabie relations o
neiehboring nations must depend. III
conformity with these convictions OF puoiit
duty, a. proclamation was issued to war;
all persons not TO participate IN the con
templated enterprise. and TO invoke ih'
1 interposiiion in behalf OF proper officers o
! the Government.
No provocation whatever can lustii.
private expeditions OF hostility against
country at peace with the United States
The power to declare war. is vested b.
the Constitution in Congress. and the ex
perience of our past history leaves n
room to doubt that the wisdom of this al
: rangement of Constitutional power wi
: continue TO be verified whenever the ma
tioral interest and honor shall demand
resort TO ultimate measures OF redress.
Pending negotiations by the Executive
and before the action Of Congress, II
dividuals could not be permitted to en-
. barrass the operations Of the one, an
: usurp the powers Of the other Of thes
: despositories Of the functions OF Cover
: ment.
9 have only to add. that nothing hi
) arisen since the date of my former Mes
age to dispense with the suggestions ther
: in contained. touching the proprieiy
pro visional measures by Congress.
B. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
y WASHINGTON, August l, 1854.