Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-02-18
British Policy in Central America and Cuba.

British Policy in Central America and Cuba.
SPEECH OF HON. 9. j.. cLINGhAN,
OF NoRrHscHaAliEA. ,aK7
In the House of Represent Febrnary Q, too d.
The House being in Committee of the W mole on
the state of the Union 2
Mr.. Clngrnan said:
Mr. Speaker My purpose in rising to ADDRESS
the committee to-day is to call the at:e"''ou W ~
tlemen to a subject Of some practical nporu - ,h;s
this time and Of great moment IN the ~
be undergoing examination in the other end o' III"
Capitol and hope some of these days to orins an
other imnortant branch of to the consideration OF
the American Congress. Before referring orec"y
to these points, however, desire to orer some gen
eral observations, which nevertheless nave o"e''
bearing on them. ~.
Much is said, sir, of fillibustering; and when the
British newspapers read us lectures our propen-
sites in that respect, some OF our own people hoio
M their hands in horror at the prospect presented
of the moral depravty of the country. 1t IS I'M
doubtedy true, that since the commencement OF our
existence as nation we have extended our terrific
~ from little less than million of square miles
to about three millions How stands the case with
Great Britain? The whole island including Eng
land Scotland and Wales, has an area OF gh:y.nne
thousand square miles, and yet the entire domino"
governed by this island includes territory to the eX
tent of nearly eight million square miles MnNe
we have added two hundred per cent to our terri'
tory she has ACQUIRED about nine thousand per cent
We have increased threefold area, she n'nety-1ou!
And vet she is shocked while witnessing our rapacl-
ty for acquisition and complains that the American
eagle is "fas: fowT-a greedy bird What, then,
shall we say of the appetite of the British hon
Why, her possessions in North America alone are
more extensive than all the territory of the United
States Her Australian dominions are themselves,
likewise, more extensive than all we hold. In the
East Indies, on territory larger than the settled
parts of the United States, she controls despotlcay
population of one hundred and forty millions Be-
sides these she has her provinces islands, and MILL
tary and naval stations in every sea and on every
shore 1t used to be the boast of Spain that the
sun did no. set upon her empire but whatever side
of the globe be turned to that lumnary and at any
hour of the twenty four it never fails to send its
rays down on section of the British empire larger
than all the United States. Nor have her efforts to
expand her domain been relaxed in view of her i'm
mense acquisitions but the contrary they are at
this very time being pressed forward with great ZEAL
both by the Government and its subjects.
They denounce us for alleged failures to MAIN
tain strict neutrality towards other countries but
this Government was the first to pass laws on that
subject; and statutes are more strict, think,
and have been better observed, than those of most
countries. In Great Britain they are liable at any
time to be suspended by the will ofthe Crown; and,
in fact, bodies of many thousand men have been
organized without objection in and about London,
to carry on wars in the Spanish Peninsula and
elsewhere, while the Government protested to be at
peace with the parties assaled. Indeed, companies
have been chartered by the Parliament to carry on
what would in these days be called fillihustering
operations. The East India and Hudson Bay Com
panies are examples The people of the United
States are assailed because few individuals have
gone down into Central America to aid Walker.
What would they, then, say Of us, if Congress
should charter company. the Transit Company"
for example, and furnish it with men and nancy to
conquer and hold Central America for our benefit?
And yet such an act would be following the example
of Great Britain in chartering and unfolding the
East India Company, and enabling it to conquer
and enslave people five times as numerous as the
whole population Of the United States
Our territorial expansion has indeed been remark
able; but so has been progress in all other re-
spects Our tonnage equals-propably exceeds
that of Great Britain herself We have changed the
system of maritime law for the world and Britain
no longer boasts of possessing the empire of the
seas
Already has been verified, in part, the prediction
of Pownal, the sagacous Englishman, who nearly
century ago said:
"America will to market in her shipping and
will claim the commonwealth claim navigation
restrained by laws but the law of nations reformed
the rising crisis requires"
"America will seem every day to approach and
nearer to Europe"
The independence of America is fixed fate. She is
mistress of her fOrtune-knows that it and will
acuate that power which she feels, both establish
her system, and to change the system of Europe
"America will become the arbitress of the commercial
world and perhaps the mediarix peace and of the po
cal business of the world"
So remarkable has been our progress that these
wonderful prophecies like the offspring of in
spiration. Great Britain has herself, too. by her
conduct. verified another striking prediction, that
the sovereigns of Europe
"wben they shall find the system of this new empire not
only Obstrucng bn upersedng the old systems of Europe
and crossing upon the effects of all their settled xm and
accustomed measures they will call upon their ministers
mighty for me their statesmen will be dumb; but the
spirit Of truth will answer How shall curse whom God
hath not cursed?"
Great Britain has exhibited the feelings here de-
picted, and has resisted progress with a perse-
verance, Skill and on energy credtable to her am
bilious sagacity, if not to her justice and magnanm.
ity. Latterly she has directed her efforts, in the
first place, to prevent our acquiring territory and
secondly, to render that territory, if acquired, a
source of weakness rather than strength. 1t is 10
her policy on these two POINTS that now, Mr. Chair
man, ask the attention of the House.
Holding she does herself the entire northern
half OF this continent she easily bars our progress in
that direction. On our eastern and western borders
are the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Our only field
Of extension, therefore, lies to the SOUTH and her
efforts are perseveringly and theoretically directed
to that quarter
The Central American question has been promi.
nsnt before the country for some time past. Great
Britain acquired her foothold there in direct contra
venton OF her treaties with Spain, to whom the
whole of that region originally belonged. In 1868.
however she agreed by treaty to demolish her for.
titicatons, &C., and cease to interfere with the RICH
of Spain, &c. As this treaty failed to secure the
country. however, from British occupation, more
stringent one was made in 1898; and three years
later in 1885, additional articles were ratified Ao
these all substantially the same, Tread a clause
from that of 1885,
Article g. Although other advantages have hither.
Deen IN question except that of cutting r dyeng
et ms CahoG Majesty greater proof of his DISPOSE
non 70 obge the King of Great Britain will grant to the