New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-05-12


to our own in Central America My sympathies
gre with that government which, has 90 many
Its functions | believe that the cause Of progress,
of humanity of civilization, will be promoted BY the
extension of that American Influence =, WhetneE
it will ever lead to connection with inns eoui.
try, let time develop # the time shall ever ar
rive when they become thoroughly Amerlcan szs
when they come to understand the principles q ouE
Constitution, and of our system OF government, aie
can administer in conformity with those primer
pies, the question would arise at that time whether
their interests and interests required annexation,
am willing to adjourn the decision Of that question
until the period when il shall arrive. =, o,ono
other reasons, because it made pledge that we never
would annex any Of the States OF Central Amerc. to
the United States exercise Jurisdiction over them
was not willing to tie our hands IN the future was
not willing to make treaty stpulatons that we would
not do that which interest, our honor, and our
safety might compel us to do in the future thought
that our children would be as capable OF deciding
that question for themselves as we are now | did
not wish treaty stipulation pledgng our faith IN re-
gard to point, when we might be compelled IN me
yindcaon Of our rights and interests, and honor 10
! violate that treaty. That was one OF my oulecWonS
4 to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty.
do not propose now to take any step for the pur-
pose Of annexing that country to us; nor do pro
pose to make hotbeds in which premature growth
may be forced into existence Propose that we shall
adhere strictly to our treaty spulatons until we get
rid of them, and that we shall require Great Britain
to comply on her part propose furthermore, tnas
shall enforce neutrality laws as they read ana
| as they mean; but ! would not go hairs breadth
beyond the line of duty and Of good faith to check
movement in which civilization and humanity, and
especially American interests, have so deep stake.
/ have felt called upon to make these remarks in
consequence of the elaborate discussion which has
taken place this question during the present SEES
sion and my entire silence throughout in regard to
it am not prepared to say that think it wise to
adopt the resolution OF the Senator from California az
+ this time. ,..as.-.y .0.. ..s.-..
Mr.. Weller. desire to say to the Senator that
took it for granted that the resolution which was
passed some two or three weeks ago had been re
spo1ded to by the President. certainly should not
have offered this resolution this morning if had
known this fact that the former one had not been
answered With the belief that had been responded
Ito, i framed this resolution to call for all cor
respondence not heretofore communicated so as not
to make it necessary to send copies Of that which
supposed we had received two weeks ago.
4 do not desre'to occupy the position which the
Senator from New York assigned me, of endeavoring
to hasten action the part of the President and
take for granted that the reason why we have re-
ceived no response from him is good onebat was
against the public interest at that time to send in
this corresp6ndence-tha our negotiations with that
government were Of such,a character as would pre-
vent compliance with the resolution at that time
If that reason existed then, suppose it does yet
When the Senator from illinois shall have concluded
propose to withdraw this resolution -----,-,
[ Mr.. Douglas. -sssss,sVe only word or two more to
say think that the resolution heretofore adopted is
sufficient intimaton tothe Executive of the desire
of the Senate to see the correspondence 50 soon
as the public interest will allow its publication.
presume that every Senator is prepared to take it
for granted that the executive branch of the Govern
J ment will communicate it at the earliest moment
when the public interests will permit it to be DONE
Intelligencefrom Central America of exciting and
important character appears in the newspapers OF
, this morning. Idoubtwhether the mails have arrived
here, but the telegraph has announced the news.
Mr. Weller. The mails reached here this morning.
, Mr. Douglas. That may be. I think that the
wiser course for us is not to show any undue excite
ment in regard to those affairs. If the intelligence
contained in the newspapers be true the British gov
eminent is taking position there which must COM
mand the serious attention of the Senate, of the gov
eminent and of the whole country. 1t becomes q
grave question-too important for us to act under
sudden impulses. trust that when we take our po-
ston, it will be taken camly and maintained firmly,
no matter what shall be the consequences.
will not say now what my own opinions are as to
the precise form of action; choose to wait until we
hear from the Executive, and learn what the
pondencc is give it calm consideration first in the
committee on foreign relations and then be prepared
to take step and mark out line of policy that shall
carry no threats. but fixed purpose never to yield
from the incipient step that we shall take nor to
cease until we carry it to its final consummation
J Mr.. Seward l hope the honorable Senator from
California will not misunderstood me. / suppose he
Senate, and was notaware that it had been passed
Mr.. Weller. knew that it had been passed, but
f l supposed twas answered
Mr.. Seward. No, sir. Do
resolution is to call orintomation that has not already
been furnished. On more occasions than one have
been embarrassed by topics connected with for
egn relations being introduced into the debates of the
Senate before we acquired information through the
only responsible medium that I know in this country
on such questionable Executive. | have been in
some measure blamed, by portion of my constitu-
ens who feel great interest in this question: for not
bringing it forward Except perhaps, Texas and
the Gulf States, Georgia and South Carolina are more
interested in this question than any other two States
f they are the South Atlantic States.
But now say here That the issues of war and peace
are the gravest issues that be made by nations,
and am of those who believe that they ought
not to be made except the gravest consideration.
will never countenance the idea that are to be
involved in war with any nation by the informed
J ding of any military adventurcr who may think
| proper to take position.
Now, sir what the relation may be between Gem
, era Walker and the Nicaraguan Government, know
not. have no doubt that he is gallant man ; but
will not go further; should be trespassng on the
very line Of proprety which indicated if were to
say another word hope the resolution will take its
. ordinary course without further debate.
Mr.. Weller. l withdraw the resolution.