Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-04-06

exactions not nearly so great nor their prvi-
lpres so lucrative, as they are in Cuba. As was |
done in the of Florida there could be reserved
to them by the treaty the privilege to leave before
the flag of the republic is raised on the island.
TO the five hundred and twenty thousand native |
white population the question presented is totally
different. To them it is question of emancipation
from thraldom, freedom from exactions and oppres-
son elevation from political servitude to political
freedom escape from the most irresponsible despo
tism to be invested with the full powers of selfgov-
ernng freemen. From being colony, governed by
laws in the making of which they have no voice,
and the local administration of which is in the
hands Of class having no sympathy with them,
they would become equal in confederacy of
States governing themselves in all local affairs and
through their senators and representatives in Con-
rrcSs participating in the conduct of the federal
Union, whilst enjoying its protection and sharing in
its gories. Under the liberal commercial system
which prevails in our Union, and which has
dcrully developed the industry and wealth of the
nation the citizens of Cuba might reasonably ex-
pect to attain to degree of wealth, civilization and
power which has never been reached by any people
living under political despotsm
TO suppose them insensible to these advantages
is to attribute to them obtuseneSs most variant
from all the accounts have of them; and to sup
pose that, being sensible of them, they would not
eagerly embrace opportunity to become State
OF the Union, would he to deny the existence in
them of the motives and aspirations which have
been found to impcl other brachcs of the human
family.
Our object in pointing out the material advantages
that would result to our own citizens from the ac
QUESTION of Cuba has not been to excite their cupid
ity nor to encourage unlawful enterprises for its
seizure. AS such prize could only be paid for out
of the common treasury, so must its acquisition,
whether by purchase or force DO by the constituted
authority acting in obedience to law. Our purpose
is to show, that whilst political advantages and ma
tional security the objects at which We aim the
pecunlary gains would be such that we can afford
to pay to Spain liberal price for its transfer
Though it has been object of socitude 10 gov
ernmcnt and people for many years, it is believed
that distinct offer has ever been made to the
Spanish government for its purchase In the opin
ION of the committee the time has arrived when
such an offer should be made, in such terms may
seem to the President, who is charged by the Con-
stitution with the duty of negotiating traties best
calculated to arrest the serious attention of the al
sh government.
The committee are aware that some who admit
the force of all that said in favor of the acquisition
and who would not purpoSey throw obstacles in the
way of its attainment, doubt the propriety of any
action at this time because, as they alege 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 orr
former negotiations upon this subject and the large
appropriation which may be required to effect the
purpose render it cXpedcnt, before making another
attempt to renew the negotiation that | should lay
the whole subjec! before Congress This is espe-
cally necessary, 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 hcl might institute for the purpose, that
the measure should receive the previous sanction of
Congress"
He alone has means of obtaining official nforma-
ton as to the disposition of the Spanish government
and it is not to be presumed that this recommended
ton is made and reiterated to Congress without
sufficient motive failure on the part of the ma
tional legislature to respond to the Executive recon-
mendation will be attributed by Spain, however i'm
properly, to opposition or indifference to the object
and will tend much to render futile any attempt at
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 never
occur rendering it incumbent on the United States,
'unuer tne Imperative anu O|cI-IullliS law vi SUI
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 justified
if we are prepared to show that we have exhausted
honorable negotiation in attempts to avert the ne
cessity, and had offered to Spain an equivalent in
exchange for it. As such offer might be necessa-
ry to the complete vindicaton of this government
h.reafter, we ought not to be deferred from making
it by any supposed unwillingness on the part OF
Spain to accept it. or even to entertain it in an ami.
cable spirit.
Approving the recommendation of the President
and entertaining the belief that by failure to act
Congress would take upon itself grave response.
bility, the committee herewith report back the bill
referred to it by the House: A bill appropriaing
money to enable the President to settle unad usted
differences with the government of Spain, and fol
other purposes" with an amendment to strike out
"one' wherever it occurs, and insert thirty" ano
recommend its passage.
The bill is in effect similar to the act entitled
can act making further provision for the expenses
attending the intercourse between the United States
and foreign nations" passed 26h of February, 1903
to enable Mr. Jefferson to negotiatiate treaty o'
Louisiana; and to An act making further appro
pration to bring the existing war with Mexico to a
speedy and honorable conclusion" passed March 8
1S47.
The sum named in the bill is proposed to be ap
proprated for no secret or disguised purpose, bu
to enable the President to make payment to tn
Spanish government, on the full ratification of tn
treaty by it without waiting for its ratification by
the Senate of the United States, and the appropra
ton of the money by Congress; it being supposed
that contingency might arise in which the abllit!
to make such prompt payment would tend to bring
negotiations to successful issue. Nor is it intend
ed to limit the amount which the President may en-
gage to pay for the adjustment of our difference
with Spain including the cession of Cuba. Thi
and all other details of the treaty, if treaty b.
negotiated are left to be arranged and its execution
provided for in the manner prescribed by the Con
stitution and laws.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Represe,
tires Of the limited Suites Of america in COngres
assembled:
SECTION l. That the sum of one million Of dollar
be, and the same is hereby, appropriated, out