New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-02-18
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE CTRA DEBATE.

From Our Special Coue.poodsot.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1859.
Mr.. Crtteaden spoke over two hours or Cuba
to-day, and Was ancOmmODly able and ele,tive.
His eye is not dim, nor his natural force ab,ted;
which is wonder, since his Presidential competi-
tors declare he has seen - Summers. His picture
Of the former relations of this Government to the
Spanish American Republics, when Henry Clsy's
speeches were read at the head Of their armies,
amid accsmations of enthusiastic delight, rs COM
pared with its present queralous and quarrelsome
attitude, having petty claims and picking petty
duarIels all over the continent full of the spirit
of lofty and comprehensive craftsmanship, and
.pced with the scorn of chivalric manhood. He
drew an elaborate and eloquent portraits, not at all
fatterng to the managing statesmen at the head of
aiIairs, which we imagine Mr.. Buchanan would be
inclined to buy up at large price if he could be
sure there was no copy. The incontestable right
of Spain to the island he elicitousy bllshed IN
very few words. He declared it to have been dis
covered by her own illustrious navigator, Column
bus, who lived upon it, and who died upon it; aud
that his life, bis history, and his death, created
perpetual monument OF the validity OF her title.
Mr. Crittenden ridiculed the idea that the pos
session of Cuba, or the possession of any other
island on the globe, essential to our National
safety. We had protected ourselves hitherto with
out il, aud We had been growing more powerful
day by day up to the prFent hour. We were now
more able than We ever were to take care OF our
selves on the sea and on the land and it was an In
suit to be told that We were in danger unless We
added Cuba or any other country, to our existing
territory.
Abiding to late nocturnal address of the Presi-
dent reported in the papers, as part OF the con-
gratulatOry prOcs edngs the occasion of the ad-
ms sion of the State of Oregon, Mr.. Crittenden
paused and declared he would not notice 1t, for he
did not know how authentic it was. But If the
President should ever fit to use such language
10 the Senate as is there imputed to him, he would
then not hesitate to express bis opinion OF 1t III the
terms it deserved.
These are a few of the effective points made BY
She Kentucky Senator in his speech, which was
delivered with great animation, and listened to with
undated interest 10 the last by numerous aud
distinguished audience.
Mr. Hale folio wed Mr.. Crittenden in speech
less full upon the particular branch ne essayed to
iustrate-namely, the present and comparative
condition of the British West Indies-thsn it might
have been. 1t is point not really material to the
discussion; but if discussed at all, should have
been treated exclusively. This would have pre-
cluded Mr. Beljsmns subsequent pe,tifogging, az
well as aiy necessity for recurrence to that
branch Of the subject Mr. Hale usually makes
vigorous and able speeches. have had occasion
heretofore to say so more than once. l only
measure him by himself, when l say that to-day ne
fell short of the occasion. J. >. Z.