Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-03-17
House of Representatives.
PRESIDENTS MEssAGE-BLAcK wARRIc

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE-BLACK WARRIOR.
Mr.. GIDDINGS moved to reconsider the vote
bby which the message of The President Of the
United States, in relation 10 the seizure Of the
Black Warrior by The Cuban authorities. trans.
United yesterday, was referred 10 the Committee
on Foreign Affairs.
lie said he regretted that no other gentleman
mad thought proper to submit such a notion and
nc rose now for that purpose, in accordance with
ms views OF representative duty, not being will
ling that the message should passed unnoticed in
the manner II was disposed Of YESTERDAY. After
the message was read, he had hoped that some
political friend of the administration would have
called the attention Of the House to its extraor-
binary character. But no one did So and, there
tore, that duty reluctantly devolved upon him.
The circumstances of the case of seizure, he
said, were few and simple. which he recapitulated
and then remarked there was nothing in the Span
lsh laws rendering them different from our own.
All vessels entering seaports amsnable 10 the
existing laws, and in Of infraction 10 seizure
fine, or confscation. Therefore, he saw in the
seizure of the Black Warrior nothing extraor-
binary.
So far for that part of the message in repIy 10
the resolution calling for information upon the
subject. But the President had gone further, and
Tor the hrst time IN our history, had travelled out
OF the record, for the purpose Of forcing his
opinions on this representative body.
The President says "there have been, in the
course OF few years past, many other instances
OF aggression upon our commerce, violations of
the rights OF American citizens, and insult 10 the
national flag by the Spanish authorities in Cubau
When and where. he would ask, has the Ameri.
can flag been insued by Spain, and on wha, oc-
casion what officer OF the government has SO
demeaned himself in way unworthy of an
American, as 10 pocket insults And has gov.
eminent likewise pocketed insults from the weak.
dilapidated, and powerless government of Spain?
lie felt that the people had authorized and COM
mlssioned members Of this House 10 determine on
md
celve from the President lectures on their duties
and proprlety He would have them feel the
dignity OF their position and hur back the lecture
OF the Executive, whose energies. Notwithstanding
inc large majority by which he was elected are
now paralyZed, and from whom the sceptre has
departed, 10 such extent that he cannot now
command majority of this or any other body
other gentlemen might sit quietly under the lee
ture OF the Executive, but he would not
Inc PRESIDENT continues in his message "The
documents IN these cases are voluminous and
when prepared, will be sent 10 Congress- Wbv
should the executive intrude on the House doc,i-
ments uncalled for He wished 10 impress ON
the Executive the fact that he is our servant and
not our master" Why did not the President send
copy of the message 10 the Senate Why did
1 he leave them in the dark?
| lhe President, too, speaks of the adoption Of
The policy by Spain, threatening the honor
| and security Of these States" He need not tell
what that policy is /; but, as now avowed and un.
Il
the island OF Cuba In what an age do we live
when we see movement made in opposition 10
the proposed reimbursement? This was the policy
against which the Honse were called upon 10 wa r.
everything which encroached on the barbarsm OF
slavery was 10 be crushed by the dread trial OF
battle. This declaration was in accordance with
the executive organ for year past the views OF
Inc members OF the cabinet, and the entire south.
ern press. IL was decided attempt 10 revolu
tionize the government. He would pronounce /,
such, not only here, but everywhere Non-int.r
ventlon was only 10 be applied 10 Nebraska while
intervention in the affairs Of Cuba was 10 become
the watchword Of the President and tha, Of hi.
party He had seen in the public prints that there
Is pending at this time resolution, in the lepisla
ture Of louisiana, assailing the President for his
supineness in not opposing civilization and eman
cipaton in Cuba.
Mr.. PERKINS, of Louisiana, remarked ,ba, IN,
legislature Of that State is not now in session. A
resolution was introduced in that body but il wa.
laid upon the table.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. They were, however intro
duced there.
Mr.. JONES, of Louisiana, did not believe III,
gentleman from Ohio had seen any such state
ment in the public prints; and, further, that al
such statements are false.
Mr.. GIDDINGS. / am happy 10 hear il. / tel
the gentleman have seen the statement, althoug
he has been so discourteous TO say that hav
not.
Mr.. JONES rose and asked the gentleman Il
yield the floor.
Mr.. GIDDINGS refused to do So alleging as
reason for declination, that the gentleman had nc
treated him courteousy. He believed, however
! that the gentleman did believe him.
: lie then proceeded 10 speak ofthe time selecte
!; ior an attack upon Cuba, saying il was at pa
ROD when France and England which have guar
antied the possession Of The island to Spain, ar
$ engaged IN assisting Turkey TO fight the battle
{ freedom; the cross and the crescent acting i
I concert. lie was a man OF peace; but IL we ar
10 have war, let il be fair fight.
he hoped and trusted that the invaders Of Cub
would meet with tocmen in the persons Of tn