The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-13
C0NGR ESSI0N AL.
SPEECH OF MIR. CHAsTAIN,

SPEECh OF NM.
GEORGIA.
Delivered in the House of Representatives the 9th day
of June, 1854, on our relations with Spain.
Mr. CHASTAIN said
Mr. CHAIRMAN; desire to make few remarks on sub
ject which, in my opinion is second in political and com
mercal impof tance to before the country. The re-
seizure Of the Black Warrior by the Spanish author
ties Havana the many insults and wrongs imposed upon
merchants and shipping at that port for series Of
years together with the disposition manifested by certain
foreign powers TO interfere in all that concerns our inter
with policy in regard to Cuba combine TO make
essentially necessary that prompt and determined action
should mark diplomacy with Spain in relation to the
future possession of that island in other words, and In
palmer language Mr. Chairman whether Cuba u to re
main the property Of SPAIN or whether BY fair and hon,
orable means ii shall be transferred to the United States
Ii to remain the property of Spain the time has arrived
sir when intercourse with that island should be regu-
lated h ea 70 as Bera "
government to smother protection OF the rights OF
shareholders there such Spain fear will never grant
and providing for prompt Indemnity without resort to
the Spanish court whenever undue exactons wrongs
inflicted upon either shipping citizens. And
sir the contrary is TO be the policy Of diplomacy in
laton Cubthat is if the stars and stripes to
where the Spanish flag indicates whose property it
sthen let it be upon scale marked not only by strict
regard for national aud personal rights but be chaiac-
terzed by iberay which shall show to the world that
while commercial and political necessity forces upon our
the possession Of anoe property the neces
sties weakness of that other shall her protection
against injustice.
OF the two policies thus indicated, sir am decidedly
for the latter The time has arrived Mr. Chairman when
the great interests of the country demand that Cuba shall
change hands. This is demanded well by social by
commercial agricultural and political interests Notwit-
standing these sir that the proposition will
be dssented from and opposed in certain quarters with
zeal and spirit displayed often upon this floor in days long
past rs well recent occasion But what of
this sir Opposition made to the acquisition OF Lou
siana; opposition made to the acquisition of Florida
opposition made to the annexation Of Texas, to the
with Mexico the indirect direct consequence there
Of and the requirement of California and New Mexico
Let look the results of all this Mr. Chairman all
who supported those measures look with pride to the for
tunate and glorious results attending them, while those
who vainly opposed wonder at the progress which
the country has made--at the prosperity resulting
from each of those measures the wisdom and import
of which clearly dsoerned and universally
acknowledged. Doubtless the United States would be a
ourishing republic her limits still bound by the French
and Spanish the Mississippi and the Gulf Of
Mexico; doubtless government would indicate env
able prosperity without Oregon California Texas New
Mexico But while admitting this what aspect does she
present to the world with her present mts Look to the
and cotton lands of what the French and
Spanish possessions Look to the soil Of Texas and the
gold silver and other minerals and agricultural products Of
California and New Mexcol Look to Oregon, and then
compare the original Ieen and their possessions with
the United States and her possessions Who weak
Mr. Chairman as perceive and acknowledge that the
policy which brought about this change that of wis
dom2 Who skeptca as to doubt that it was what
destiny, but which in my humble Judgment
and say it with due the work of an
ruling Providence?
Sir two hundred years ago, oppression drove to the
American continent people whom force could not utterly
subdue but who sought in the land far from that of the
oppressor home where peace should supplnn strife and
liberty despotism And is il not even now The OPP
pressors scourgc still driving from the Old to the New
World people who regard political liberties as ines
Unable privileges and republican institutions with enhu-
siasmand Go to the wharves sir of great
commercial mars and not in old times by tens and by
hundreds do they reach our shores but by thousands
tens of thousands From our already overgrown cities
these people Mr. Chairman seek the Far West and not
the most distant Territory but evidences that the tide OF
emigration will make "the wilderness blossom the
rose Cut off from such the policy of terrific
rial acquisition has provided and whatwoud now be
dtion of thngs2 On all sides of sir where the
of the Atlantic roll, there would be popula-
on and growing recognising crowned heads their
rulers, people contending with monarchs for lib
ery of conscience speech and the press At the best
people who having thrown off the yoke of foreign OPP
preston have established republics for themselves thus
dividing power and prosperity all II might
be strand call the attention OF gentlemen who have
been opposed requirements of territory to this par
tcular remarkt might be sir that we should see CON
ederacy of States organized with to the protection
of their peculiar agricultural interests and domestic ns
tutons having exclusive privileges of trade with foreign
governments by which the great mechanical and manuo-
turing interests Of the North would be greatly depressed
Mr. Chairman in making these remarks wish TO be dis
tncy understood not desiring witness such
of things am and have always been Union democrat
As long of the South, and they of the North can
hold together upon rights guaranteed to each by the
suton am here there and everywhere ready TO piedge
life forte and sacred honor in the maintenance Of this
confedemcy But 1t is great misfortune for gentlemen
who have any regard for the existence of this Union
pose that such feeling is to be usd for the base purposes
of the designing fanatcism II only
be used TO maintain charter Of rgbtsthe consi-
tuition Of the United States and when it to do this
am for such government will most likely the
prosperity and happiness of the people whom and my
colleagues of the South represent
Well, sir, having at greater length than intended
ferred the policy OF acquisition OF territory and the
glorious results thoreom dsconibe TO every eye come
the consideration of some Of the which in
duce TO urge upon this committee the acquisition Of
Cuba from Spain by negotiation with her Spanish Majesty,
at the earliest practicable period.
The Authorization of Cuba, Mr.. Chairman, whatever
may be said the contrary, is contemplated Yes sir
here in the United States IL is advocated and Is doubt
less designed by France and England There Is no time
this subject to daily delay Far be 1t from me- sir
TO re this matter to apply what may be conceived
improper epthets TO powers represented this floor
But sir this sthe time to seize the BuH by the horns
and show the "i-coorn that the stars and sripes
are destined to wave where either Spanish British or
French influence darss to interfere with the principles and
settled policy Of government fanatcsm may set ts
hand TO stay this work-for what may il not do But
with regard to Cuba the contemplated outrage shall be
perperated the blood Of thousands upon thousands shall
deure that beautiful island and the sons and even re
Of those who at Buena Vista Vera Cruz Cbepuepec and
Cberubusco achieved immortal renown shall wbitcn the
sands of her plains Such assault upon the social
uons and domestic institutions of the South the African
zing Cuba delberaton upon II by foreign powers,
should not be tolerated for moment North nor South
That il is contemplated testimony Is abundant; and such
being the fact ii is time for those in this House and else
where who devoted TO the maintenance of this cone-
eracy upon principles 10 express their aborreuce and
disgust of obscene violation Of social life and domes-
tic decency, and to act accordingly
Mr. Chairman the time for action is propitious Look
TO the condition of affairs in Europe France England
and Turkey are at war with Russia. Harsh things have
been said sir OF this lastnamcd power but in my hum
blo onini m thapc cir