Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-02-25
FnIDAY mORNING, FEnnUAny p, Sc
senator Crittendcn and the Cuba CUES


The recent speech of ihe Hon. J. J. CRITTENDEN
in the U. s. Senate concerning the acquisition OF
Cubs, We regard an important one to the friends
Of that measure II comedies the entire policy Of the
mcclure, ana argues only against the pracicsblity
Of the plan by which It is st present proposed to &C
conplish the end. We regard large portion of
the speech of the distinguished Senator IS in direct
comic. with the usual course of argument pursued
blythe Opposition this question We know Il, at
the objections urged egainst it by the Section alists
Of the North are that it would strengthen the inst
tuition of slavery that it would increase the political
power OF the Southern States and in every respect
enure principally to their benefit. By the South
school Of opponents it is said that the acquisi
tion Of Cubs would materially lessen the price of
sugar as to break down that important planning in
tsrest in Louisiana. That it would lessen the price
Of negroes. That the Catholic religion prevails
there, and that il is not desirable to be mixed up
with race of Spsnisrds And above ALL that ex-
psnsiOn is not the true policy of this government
But that our true policy is to consolidate secure and
build up what We have. These win form the staple
arguments of the Opposition to this measure
throughout the country. We regard it, therefore,
fortunate for the friends of Cuba in view of the
in his party, that he made his recent speech in the
Senate.
Mr.. CRITTRDEN commenced by admitting that
"e Island Of Cuba had Arrays been subject Of aar-
ssy and interest to this country and could not fail to
continue to excite the serious consideration of
statesmen" sour policy in regard to Cuba had
been distinctly svowed Il Is s7ore important to US
than to Span; We desire to acquire it; we insist
that she shall transfer it to no other person. We
had On more than occasion proposed to purchase
it, but had not SUCCEEDED. The President now n>
formed them that the lime has come to renew ne
getiations for the purchase. He says he desires to
obtain it only by honorable negotiation, and would
not if he could, have it upon any other terms With
this declaration the President proposed now to re-
new negotiations. He Mr.. c. had no objection.
He WAS content that the President should, indie
pendent of their legislation, proceed to Negotiate
with the Spanish Government, as he has a right to
DO. The President had right, if he could to OBJ
Iain from Spain the oession Of Cuba and if he sue
ceeded in maxim suitable ard satisfactory treaty
he would distinguish his administration" There
are great difficulties in the way, but - if, in the
face of all these difficulties ne should persist in ne
gOtiating, let him DO 60 upon his own responsible
island upon favorable terms, and save us from the
possible feuds and wars Whichsthe island might
otherwise hereafter occasion, he you'd deserve all
honor aud credit" lie (Mr. CRTrESDEN) could not
see how It could be done, but still the President
might be hoping for come powerful influence and
agency by which he 10 overcome al these diff
culties. If 80, he would soy again Jet him 90 on
u9on his own responsibility to negotiate. If be
should succeed he would give him all the credit
and glory he ,cOuld haze done sOIasthing at least
for the good Of Ais Country"
Il will thus be seen that the administration is
fully sustained by Mr.. C. in the importance which
has been attached to the acquisition of Cuba, and
that the only ground Of difference is he probability
of such acquisition, and the propriety Of appropriate
ing $50 GOO 900, TO be usedby the President to that
end, whenever the assen. of Spain can be obtained
The character Of objections urged by Mir. CRIrTEx-
DEK were anticipated by Senator PUGH, Of Ohio,
in q recent speech the same subject, and are
fully answered in the following extract:
The bill provides an appropriation of $50 600 600
10 be paid for a cessOn Of the island with its d.
Tendencies, which amount is TO be raised by loan
Al ave per cent and so much as may be necessary
pad whenever the treaty shall have been ratified by
Spain If the bill should be successful, therefore
it will be an approx ration Of money, by law from
the treasury OF the United States in strict accor-
dance with the constitution, and for an object as
clearly and exactly defined any object specified in
cur annual appropriation bill 9. The law is to be
executed Of course, by the President of the United
States as iother laws required to be executed
and the money expended through tbs Department Of
State or some of ministers abroad as other 8p-
propriaiOns for like purposes always have been, and
slwAys must be Ell ended.
The outlines Of the bill are in pursuance of three
famous acts in our legslation-the Of Febru.
ary 26, 1903, under which Louisiana was pur-
chased; the Of February, Is, 1906, intended for
she case of Florida; and the act OF March g. lS47,
which led TO the acquisition Of>NeW Mexico and
California. Two Of these acts, it will be Observed
were in the time of President Internationally
rs little disposed any President was OF ever
will be, to encrosch on the legislative department.
or tolerate any increase Of executive power and in
6uepce Indeed, sir, until now, our most eminent
statesmen do not seem TO have discovered that such
a bill nferE On the President any control over the
treasury, any undue control over the conduct of
our foreign relations.
No mischief can ensue, as have ssid in case of
failure: because without a treaty for the cesson of
Cuba, no money is TO lie paid, even borrowed in
asnuch az none will be required. 1t is said hoWev
er that we thus commit ourselves In advance to the
ratification of whatever treaty the President may
negotiate think not SPAN Knows, will know
quite as well We, that the treaty must be ratified
according to the requirements OF our constitution,
or else be wholly imperative. She radedthe trea-
~ Of February %, 1919, with notifications, and
these were afterwards accepted by us There Is no
''blank draft on the tressury-uo pledge of guar
antee for the payment Of one dime beyond $50 OOO-
600 in this bill and the entire treaty VIII be sub
iect TO ratification amen dment or rejection by the
Senate as all other treaties are. II the President
should slipulste for larger consideration 10 Spain,
whether 10 money or otherwise, than two thirds Of
the Senate believe 10 be advantageous in the crcum
stances that will end the treaty lead to further
negotiation. II is suggested also, that will fOr~
felt the $50 600 900 in case We do not ratify the
treaty; but such 6eotion, IF ever so valid, must
have applied as well to sll past negotiations of this
character. do not see, for my own part, how for
FIXTURE can rightfuly be predicsted Of such csse;
hut as Spain has always been dilstory in the pay |
mept Of her debts, l assume that We may lose the /
whole amount paid in advance whether $50 O00 900
or less) If the treaty be not ratified side The
amount is large one, and particularly in the fnsn-
eisI embarrassment which has lately overtaken us
Iundsrrste none of these considerations; but ST
ter all 40 essential do consider the acquisition OF
Cuba 10 our prOsperity-so anxious am 10 s70id