Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-29


of this young, growing and free Republic should be
bound by any such treaty through all time q Why,
Mr. Speaker, suppose should say to Great Britain,
we will agree that you and we will never Jake any
portion Of Asia: Great Britain would laugh at Us;
she would tell us that we had possessonsor interest,"
there, and had no right to expect her to make any
such agreement Suppose We should say to her,
neither Of Us will touch any islands in the Red
Sea, and especially the island Of Perrin, which you
are fortifying:" Great Britain would say,
"though we have no possessions within thousand
miles of that island yet it lies directly between US
and possessions in the East and therefore there
is mutually in the proposition, and We will not
make the treaty"
Being encouraged, however. by her success in
this Clayton Bnlwer matter, she proposed similar
agreement in relation to Cuba but the American
people had been aroused, and understood the effect
and folly Of such policy, and Mr. Everett and Mr.
Fillmore declined the proposition. If it had been
adopted the next movement would have been in re-
ference to Mexico and our hands would have been
completely tied by great Power which is constant
" acquiring territory in all parts of the world. Re-
member. sir that is the effect Of our own American
construction of this treaty. BY our own interpre
tation Of it our hands will be tied for all time. But
we have even the poor consolation that she is
also bound. After the treaty was made, Great Br
tain said by it's terms allowed to bold all
we possess. but will not take any more
and. as you have got nothing there. you take moth
ing" ] need not argue against the absurdiy of
such propositon. Suppose and B are contend
ing for house, and has possession Of four of the
five rooms in it; but there being vacant room
remaining he proposes to b that neither of them
shall occupy any part of that honse exercise any
control over it. 1t is agreed to; but after the con-
tract has been executed, A says: am not to give
up the four rooms now hold. but am not to take
that fifth room. and you to let it alone likewise
and to stay out of doors" hat would be said Of
such an arrangement! Now, to show that such is
the in the pr. sent instance if gentlemen will
look at this map, printed by order OF the Senate two
years ago; here Mr.. c held up the map before the
House they will that this red line shows the
British claim They will find that it covers four
ifths Of the eastern coast Of Central America Why,
sir that claim has been refnted bv argument hun
bred times Mr.. Buchanan himself argued it ably
If gentlemen will look at the speech Of Senator Sc
WARD, made two years ago, they will find able
argument to show that Great Britain had no right
whatever hold foot Of that territory. Mr.. Sc
WARD said that sooner than submit to her preten-
sion. ought to have n war with her But he
makes argument. founded the evils of war,
and recommends continued negotiation.
Mr.. WRIGHT. of Georgia. Does the gentleman
from North Carolina concur in the views of Senator
Seward?
Mr.. CL1SGNAN. I will say to the gentleman that
"snfficent unto the day is the evil thereof
Whether shall 60 to war to resist this British
sumption is a matter for another occasion but |
showing how perfectly con, inced Governor Sc
ward to the injustice of her claim. to resist
which he willing to 60 to war. He recon-
mends that should negotiate further-a most
lame and impotent conclusion; for We have been
negotiating with her for the last eight years, and
We have not yet succeeded in getting settlement
from her. If gentlemen would like TO know with
what rapidity negotiations with her progress, let
them look back to her negotiations with Spain and
they will find that, for two hundred years, Spain
had been trying to get her out Of that country and
not able to do it with all the treaties that could
be made.
The truth is that the British Government has
been strengthening itself in these possessions and
has held them for eight years. and she cannot, hon
orahly back ont from the construction she has stood
so long 1t was the proposition, however, Of
Administration which has gone out Of power, and
one which the present feeling Of England and the
present Administrator would perhaps, not o'igin-
allv have Endorsed. think. therefore, with Presi-
dent Buchanan. that the true mode of meeting this
issue is to abrogate the treaty, and to leave negota
ton to arise upon it hereafter.
But ] am met with this idea nv gentlemen. The
resolution reported by the committee is decara.
ton against both the British and American
ton of the treaty, and recommends that the PreSI
dent take steps for its abrogaton. But some gen
tlemen shat the President and Senate are the
treaty ulaking power; and it is indicate for this
House to express an opinion on such Subject
There some questions of such vast moment that
the representatives of the people have the right to
look into them. Suppose there a proposition
to annex all Mexico Or Brazil to the United States:
will it he contended that the representatives Of the
American people have not the right express their
opinion upon it, when every town meeting or popn
lar gathering in the country has the right to d" SO
Remember that we are, in fact, the war-making
power. and that treaties often lead to war. We
have 10 vote the money to carry them out frequent
ly. and therefore must have the right to look in
to them. In England, whence we get our notions
Of parliamentary law. and Of our rights to great
extent. though the King has the pow er to declare
war and to make treaties without consulting either
branch of Parliament. yet. in the House of Com
mons, they have always held that they have the
right to discuss those questions to ask for expana
ti"ns. or TO refuse supplies; and many ministers
have been turned out because not sustained by the
House Of Commons, on mere questions Of foreign
policy. And will it be commended that what the
House Of Commons may d." in monarchy, the
Representatives of the American people cannot do
We have Committee on Foreign Affairs and to
that committee has been refer ed This identical
sage OF the President Of the United States. in which
he strongly condemns this treaty. and says it ought
to be abrogated. The rules of this House require
the COMMITTEES to report upon everything which is
referred to them That committee was obliged to
report; and the most limited report we could make
a resolution expressive simply Of our opinion.
We have not gone far to recommend action.
think, therefore, that every gentleman will see in a
moment that this is the proper mode of proceeding.
We do not tramme the President at all but propose
W oach ni'"' J." my J""Sihe"', Tue FreSideht VIII
find. if this old stumb'ing.bocK is removed, that a
satisfactory arrangement may be made outside Of it.
Be that as it may, | am willing to leave the whole
matter with him. But there some questions OF
expedency of vast moment involved. and ! will
| bring some of them to the consideration of the
House.
By the ah,ogation Of this treaty we shall open
that country ultimately to the occupation of citi
Of the United States. A great advantage will
result from our occupation, well to that country
as to u.s. Tn all ages Of the world, where the high
er races have had control of the greater portion
the earth it has been most prosperous. There ar.
now, Mr. Speaker, four Powers which ATE extend