Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-04-06

# the thirty thousand resident Spaniards who an

f objection to the ce6Sl0n OF flori04 where their
Or,ctions were not nearly 50 great nor their prvi
sS in the case Of Florida there could be reserved
~ them by the treaty the privilege to leave before
.Io fac of the republic is raised on the island.
To the five hundred and twenty thousand native
he population the question presented ia totally
Sasrent. To them it is question Of emancipation
eo.n thraldom, freedom from exactions and oppres
;on elevation from political servitude to political
sredom escape from the most irresponsible despo-
.;sm to be invested with the full powers of selfgOv
. s";nv freemen From being colony, governed by
s ans in the making of which they have no voice.
SnJ the local administration of which is in the
lands Of class having no sympathy with them,
.hav would become an equal in q confederacy Of
S,stes governing themselves in all LEGAL affairs and
.hro1rh their senators and representatives in Con-
arsss participating in the conduct Of the federal
fn;ou whilst enjoying its protection and sharing in
-. alores. Under the liberal commercial system
~b;ch prevails in our Union, and which has SO Won
Jsrf,y developed the industry aud wealth Of the
us,;on the citizens Of Cuba might reasonably OK
a"ct to attain to degree of wealth. civilization and
lover which has never been reached by any people
living under political despotsm. :.
To suppose them insensi5le to these advantages
= Ia attribute to them an obtuscness most variant
from all the accounts We have OF them; and to sup
,o:p that. being sensible Of them, they would not
=, ,erlv embrace an opportunity to become State
Of the Union, would be to deny the existence in
tbem of the motives and aspirations which have
hecn found to impel other braches of the human
family
Ilur object in pointing out the material advantages
that would result to our own citizens from the
ousition of Cuba has not been to excite their cupid
;ir nor to encourage unlawful enterprises Cor its
stzue As such prize could only be paid for out
of the common treasury, so must its acquisition
whether by purchase force be by the constituted
authority acting in obedience to law. Our purpose
i TO show, that whilst political advantages and
tonal security are the objects at which aim the
necunary gains would be such that We can afford
to nav to Spain liberal price for its transfer
Though has been object of solicitude 10 gov
eminent and people for many years, it is believed
that no distinct offer has ever been made to the
Spanish government for its purchase. In the opin-
ION of the committee the time has arrived wtea
suh an offer should be made, in such terms As may
seem to the President, who is charged by the Con-
stitu;ion with the duty of negotiating traties best
calculated arrest the serious attention of the Span
ish government.
The committee are aware that some who admit
the force of all that is said in favor Of the acquisition
and who would not purposely throw obstacles in the
way of its attainment, doubt the propriety Of any
action at this time because, as they allege the at
tempt to procure the assent of Spain will be futile
The committee cannot recognize the force of this
objection.
The President in his annual message to Congress,
said 1.-The publicity which has been given to our
former negotiations upon this subject and the large
appropriation which may be required to effect the
purpose render it eXpedient before making another
attempt to the negotiation, that should lay
the whole subjec. before Congress. This is espe-
cialv necessary, as it may become indispensable to
success that should be intrusted with the means
of making an advance to the Spanish government
Immediately after the signing Of the treaty, without
awaiting the ratification of it by the Senate"
In his special message of January 81 he again
calls the attention of Congress to the subject and
declares that he deems it highly important if not
indispensable, to the success Of any negotiation
which incl might institute for the purpose, that
the should receive the previous sanction of
Congress"
lie alone has means of obtaining official informa-
ton to the disposition Of the Spanish government
and it is not to be presumed that this recommends.
ton is made and reiterated to Congress without q
sufficient motive. A failure on the part of the ma
ona legislature to respond to the Executive recon-
mendation will be attributed by Spain, however i'm
properly, to opposition indifference to the object
and will tend much to render futile any attempt al
negotiation Since the subject has been SO promi
nently presented by the President omission to act
would be regarded by her as little less expressive
than positive dissent from his views.
The committee hope that circumstances may nevel
occur rendering it incumbent on the United States
Under the imperative and over-rulng law of self
preservation" to take possession of the island with
out the consent Of Spain; but if they should, sum
mary measures could be much more easily justifie'
We are prepared to show that we have exhauste'
honorable negotiation in attempts to avert the ne
eessity, and had offered to Spain an equivalent il
exchange for it. As such offer might be necessa
Tto the complete vindication Of this government
hereafter, We ought not to be deferred from making
by any supposed unwillingness on the part Q
Span to accept it even to entertain it in an am
Cable spirit. .-
Approving the recommendation of the President
and entertaining the belief that by failure to az
congress would take upon itself grave respons
olllty, the committee herewith report back the bi
referred to it by the House: "A bill appropriatin
money to enable the President to settle unadjuste
olnefences with the government of Spain, and II
other purposes" with amendment to strike OF
one wherever it occurs, and insert " thirty" an
recommend its passage. -...... -.
The bill is in effect, similar to the act enttle
An act making further provision for the expense
attending the intercourse between the United Stat'
and foreign nations passed 26th of February, 100
enable Mr.. Jefferson to ncgotiatiate treaty Il
LOUISIANA; and to "An act making further Apr
p'atlon to bring the existing war with Mexico to
1871
The sum named in the bill is proposed to be a
pfopnated for no secret or disguised purpose. b
70 enable the President to make . payment to 4
spanish government, on the full ratification Of Z
treaty by it without waiting for its ratification
.ee Senate Of the United States, and the appropr
a tsa Of the money by Congress; it being suppos
tuat contingency might arise in which the abili
u make such prompt payment would tend to bril-
regulations to successful issue. Nor is It inteu
eu 10 limit the amount which the President may G
ssge 70 pay for the adjustment Of our differens
"l!n Spain, including the cession of Cuba II
anu all other details Of the treaty, if treaty can
esot,ated are left to be arranged and its execute
ros,aed for in the manner prescribed by the C<
sttution and laws
0e =: " enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
ices Of the United Suites Of Ameriea IN C0agr
assembled:
oEcrIoS l. That the sum Of one million Of doll
. "e, and the same is hereby, appropriated, Out
t Guy money not otherwise appropriated, to ena
S cue President to conclude with the government
a IN. treaty of amity, and for the settlement
% differences including the cession Of the island