The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-01


Representatives February IL, 1855.
The House being in Committee Of the whse on the
Of the Union
Mr. CHAsTAIN said
Mr. CHAmaas Were to consult my own feelings, /
would allow the remainder of the session 10 pass without
taking any further part in lis proceedings than answering
my name and recording my vote such questions as
may come before the House. convinced, as have long
been that the greatest obstacle legislative action, and
consequently the most subject of we-iounded
complaint the part Of respective constituencies is
our inveterate proneness to oratorica display,
1t has been my habit TO act prompty-nay, bold
ly-wben my judgment has been formed, and my
decided halt stopping places to lose tme in
useless parade delay my purpose by ostentaous ha
rangues either in laudaton Of my wisdom explanation
of my Action sir is my principle and have ever
been willing permit that action speak for itself Justice
however myself my constituents TO the South, and
the country demands that should trespass for few
the patence'of the House whilst protest. in
fnc emphatic manner against the propositions sub
mitted TO this House few days since by the honorable
member from South Carolina Mr. BoYcE in reference to
present and prospective relations with Spain and the
island Of Cuba No gentleman in this House or out OF II
is willing than am TO acknowledge the abilities and
the patriotism of the honorable member from South Caro-
lima That he should labor under what conceive to be
extraordinary halncinaton because the
gentleman represents IN part gallant State that has ever
been foremost in defence of southern inierestss 10 my
mind political paradox Of ominous import II only
be accounted for by wing the facts and the data
which the gentleman's speech Is predicaed II we lind
that these facts and these data Incorrect that the hon
orabe gentleman has been misled by the authorities
which he relied, easily find a solution of what
would otherwise appear strange even inexpcabe in view
Of the section of country which the honorable gentleman
ably represents and the subject which formed the theme
of his eloquent remarks,
| propose, then sir TO follow the Of argument
adopted by the gentleman from South Carolina. shall
endeayor show that national honor well national
necessity, mperatvey demands prompt defnitiye and
satisfactory settlement Of the ongstandng grievances and
multiplied and accumulated outrages which we have
perenced at the hands of Spanish officials and which
have already permitted to remain too long unredressed and
unpunished Sir national honor and our commercial
rights are represented by every flag that floats in the
breeze from the masthead of American ship matter
in what she may be found, or in what port she may
choose anchor Insult that flag and you insult the
whole American people you feeling throughout
the length and breadth Of the land which nothing APP
pease short of full honorable satisfactory and prompt repa
ration But we will come to this point presently.
The honorable gentleman charges, at the outset Of his
remarks that feterish impaence to be seizing
upon people for territorial extension and to support
this charge told that the people upon the northern
frontier look with deep feeling the annexation Of the
British provinces of North America That sir ques
ton which these provinces decide for themselves
with which this country this time has nothing what
to do When these provinces present themselves at
the doors of Congress- asking for admission into
federacy of States clothed with the attributes OF sovereign
ty and capable of treating subjects of such grave inn
porance, should occupy seat in this House. shall act
trust, as becomes American legislator and as mem
ber of the great democratic party of this nation shall
be ready the hand of friendship every
who has passed through the fiery ordeal of OPPRESSION and
may desire worship at the altar of liberty with my
a
shall ask not what tongue be speaks his heart throbs
for Liberty and be is worthy to enjoy it. can greet him
a friend, and receive him as n brother
But sir il may be owing to my obliquy Of judg gment
to obtuseness of comprehension but confess that
unable discover the slightest analogy between the
relative positions of Canada and Cuba towards the United
States When would ask the gentleman from South
Carolina has flag been nsulted with mpunity by the
authorities of the North American provinces citizens
mmued in suberranean dungeons despoed of their prop
erty, shot down and publicly butchered by brutal and
ferocious soldery without trial. without defence with
out hearing contrary to every principle of international
law and in the very teeth of existing treaty spuatons
Tell SIR that these outrages have been perpetraed by
British officials in North America that commerce has
been crippled and parayzed by odous exactons and
imposts, and that the very of American, the
proudest that bore, is with them byword of
insult and contumey--show when these things, and
such these can be charged by our upon the
British authorities in the North American provinces and
ready to the last dollar in the treasury blockade
their ports take possession of their territory and hold it
indemni6caon for the past and pledge for their
good behavior in the future Gentlemen talk Of the
evils of extension, and preach didactc home to this
House the divine attributes of acquescence and ubms
sion under insult and injury but honor a sover-
egn and independent nation rises above all such consd
eratons and demands that neither should be mpered by
cowardy submission TO wrong groundless apprehen
sions at dangers that have real existence.
The whole argument of the honorable gentleman in ref
to the dangers TO be apprehended from territorial
extension however sound it be general principles
however applicable under different forms of government
from ours has no relevancy, in my humble Judgment to
present position with respect Cuba. trust sir
tke OF hilibuserng the gentleman
from South Carolina. willing and ready to 20 as
far he who goes arthest in observing faithfully all our
treaty stpulaonsnot only with Spain but with all na-
tons If the inhabitants of Cuba groanng under the
weight of oppressive laws and wrhing under the lash
of heartess despos they have in history an ex
ample OF what the unconquerabe wiil the fixed resolve
die reemen rather than live slaves can accomplish
if they should strike for freedom and wres the sceptre
from the tyrants brow In such contest it is true they
would have all the sympathes Of my soul aud doubt not
that many of ardent and patriotic young coun
trymen would be found fighting side by side with the
Cuban patriot willing TO share with him all the disas-
and the perils the might bring forth But
n nation would have no right to interfere: we
could do more than did similar occasions-be
the first to acknowledge the independence of their coun-
try, that independence shall be fairly won
Should such be the condition Of things in Cuba
should her patriot rise in their strength and
crush the yran power that has long enslayed them
and then formally apply be received into our CON
federacy the time win have arrived for the gentleman
from South Carolina should he occupy seat on this
floor TO expatae the evils Of territorial extension and
calculate with such mathematical precision the number
Of human beings that comfortably subsist upon an
acre of ground.
But sir let suppose that Cuba has thrown of the
Spanish yoke established her independence and asked to
be admitted into the American Union. The honorable
member the application with an objection on which
he seemed lay much stressnhmey that the admission
OF Cuba would parayze the slave interest al the South
engaged in raising sugar This sir is fallacy and re-
gret to add somewhat popular The sugarerowing
region Of the South and the slave interest engaged In
pursuit would he immeasuably benefited by such an ac-
qusou Such at least is the opinion Of those who have
examined this subject carefully and practically whose OPP
porunites for acquiring information have been
ample and whose interests and feelings and sympathes