The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-18
CONGR ESSIONAL
SPEECH OF HON. w. W. BoYCE,

Mr. BoYCE said Mr. Chairman, propose TO make
observations the annexation OF Cuba. consider il the
great question in our foreign relations
A esesish mpatience 10 be seizng upon peo-
pe for territorial extension. In quarters the cry
for the Canadas Upon this point have been informed
by leading member from Ohio Mr.. CAsPsgrL that the
people upon me northern frontier look with deep feeling to
the annexation Of the British provinces OF North America
In other quarters the cry for the Sandwich islands
some wishing for another partition of Mexico others
are looking the regions waered by the mighty Amazon
more upon the acquisition of Cuba and have
such nodinae etomaohs that they willing 10 swallow
up entire continent These all but various phases
of the manifest-desny idea. must confess do not sym
pahize with this idea think true mission IS con-
servatism not indefinite extension.
Why do desire further extension? DO we need any
more territory On the north lose ourselves upon the
verge Of eternal the south penetrate to the
fierce heats Of the equator upon the east and the west we
pause only the beach of the great OF the
world If we apply the instruments find that the Uni
ted States times large Great Britain Ireland
and France combined three times as large as the whole OF
France Great Britain Ireland, Austria, Prussia Spain,
Portugal, Belgium Holland, and Denmark-neary equal
to the whole of Europe; large as the Roman empire
when its eagles dominated from the Euphrates to the
pillars Of Hercules. IL it be possible for nation
10 have territory enough we certainly have Il, and
whatever else may need, we do not need any more
space II any one were propose placing the whole of
Europeone of the great divisions OF the gobeunder
single government he would be deemed q madman yet
realize territorall this idea and still crave more
What madness
Do we need any more population Why our population
is already thirty millions and increasing at velocity
fearful that the boldest must rembe at the future Our
annual increase is million. II had the density
of population entire surface in Massachusetts,
our population would be four hundred aud twenty mill
lions and il increase for the century in the same
ratio have for the last sixty years. population viii
be within fraction of five hundred millions What
prospect and how short time; for what is hundred
years to naton The Roman empire existed twelve centu
res there noble families in England who date back
the lustre of their houses four hundred years century
nation is not more than year 10 an individual.
When look beyond the present and pierce the future
he uT m.
When the vast surface of territory shall be in blaze
with the fires Of civilization when the living tides of hu
beings flowing from the shores of the Atlantic shall
be by the returning tides from the Pacific when the
very gorges Of the Aeghanes and the Rocky mountains
shall be full Of people, when population shall be pressing
upon the of subsistence what will become of the
republic what will be the fate Of liberty elf2 Instead
Of desiring population would be most fortunate
if we could remain at what we are A nation has sufficient
population when it is able to protect itself from external
force We have already fully reached this point
republic federal republic in particular, cannot exist
without external pressure It is the fundamental idea
upon which the whole theory rests Take away the pres
from without and confederacy necessarily to
pieces AS long as Carthage stood rival to be dreaded
by the Roman people the republic ourished in its greatest
yigor but when Carthage overthrown the republic,
relieved from external pressure became the prey of fac
,ons; the Gracch, Sya and Marus Pompey and Caesar
passed the stage convulsing the State with their
struggles for power making bleed every pore and
tramplng under foot the glory and the liberty of Rome
The history of our country is instructive this
point Before the of 1872, while the State was in
dread Of English power sectionalism unknown We
people Patriotism American plant in
dgenous to the SOIL 1t grew as well on the bleak hills of
New England as in the swamps of the South Great men
and great ideas made history But after that had
demonstrated entire security from external force
onal ideas and sectional parties Factions usurped
the stage Marrow ideas loomed up into gigantic proper
tons The North and the South became hostile camps
and the gulf of separation has gradually been widening
advanced in career of greatness and power.
1t is very clear that do what else may have moth
ing to- gain by annexng territory to increase our
population by foreign supply Ifw do not need any
nF,,,
ton by acquisition of territory then the annexation of
Cuba cannot be urged either of these grounds Then,
upon what grounds it be urged Perhaps IT may be
urged the ground that it is necessary military
position to protect commerce. But cannot admit
this and in considering this point that it
is the settled policy of government not TO permit Cuba
pass from Spain into the hands ofany of the great Euro
pean powers Taking this for granted say have moth
ing to fear from Cuba. We have strong positions at Key
West and Tortugas, which we are now forfying, and
which be rendered impregnable Our naval power is
infinitely superior to that of Spain eiiectuay
command the outlets to the Gulf Of Mexico and the idea
Of commerce being in any danger from Cuba is
think without the slightest foundation Experience is the
conclusive argument this point Our commerce
has been disturbed from Cuba; and if have
been disturbed in the infancy of power what have
TO fear now in its maturity
But 90 further far from the acquisition of Cuba
strengthening us in military point of view, think it
wonld be of infinite weakness And if the history
Of the contests in Europe between the great powers dem
onstrates fact ii is that maritime colonies nation
of secondary naval force great drawbacks Where did
England strike her great rivals France and Holland Not
IN the heart OF their domnions but in their extremites
their colonies. The contest going between the
allies and Russia most instructive this point If Rus
sia had isolated maritime possessions the allies would
wound her severely but it she has such vunera-
bic points She Is compact massy, solid; and in vain,
with frantic rage the allies dash their proud fleets and
wel-appointed armies against her huge bulk
We are now in the position of Russia with all her ad-
yantages the Russia of the western continent we
have vast territory compact and invulnerable
defiant Of the world in Shall weaken posi-
ton by the acquisition of maritime colonies That is the
question. | think not
Before determine the policy Of acquiring maritime
colonies there is prior question should consider II
- thus Are we willing TO pour out indefinite millions
build upsuoh navy will enable ms to contend with
the great powers ior the supremacy of the seas2 II not
then, indeed would he shorsghted policy 10 acquire
such colonies which would hold by the uncertain ten
ure OF European tolerance For own part am uuwil-
ling to increase the navy single gun beyond what Is ne
cessary for the service OF the in its present cond
ton. The people already sufficiently taxed and the
navy is already, in my opinion moth OF adeaune appe-
without increase of the navy Is an additional obsa
Gle to my taking any steps in that direction.
But il may be said II will extend our commerce | od
init this The annexation OF Cuba would furnish an in
creased market for certain agricultural productions of the
middle and northwestern States and the manufactures of
the eastern States; and the Of this increased
trade ,d beyond it, under the preference given to
our own vessels in the cossng trade the shipping interest
Of the North would be benefited Under the influence Of
these several causes and others which could be presented
have doubt the free States would make great deal
q money out Of Cuba II annexed Though see the North
would reap golden harvest from Cuba yet cannot how
ever great may be the interest take in the increase Of
northern wealth. forego the objections have 10 the
hexation OF Cuba other grounds Besides while con-