The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-27

consequences of asserting our independent ma
tlonallty. Cuba was not only politically, but
commercially, necessary to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF sthe Republic. We now feed and clothe the
world Give us the tropics, and we should have
all That was necessary to carry a natural ex-
change between the products of the South and
of the North. 1t was the duty of the United
States to make of the waters of the Gulf of Mex.
leo and of the Caribbean Sea a mare cLdusuln
MIR. Hale pleasantly remarked on the substi
tuition of Political Necessity I" for I" Manifest
Destiny" both of which characters, he regretted
to say, uniformly travelled Southwark in fulfill
ing their mission. A part of Maine and part
of Oregon between 400 and $40 40< had been
given away to Great Britain. On the South,
we constantly enlarge our borders From the
North, we lop off slice after slice. 1t might be
accidental, but the coincidence was none the
less remarkable. After eloquently abiding to
the loyalty of Spain, as our earliest ally, Mr.
Hale expressed his belief that we could best
promote the prosperity of the Republic BY i'm
prociag our present territorial possessions.
At the close of the discussion, the Senate
proceeded to hold an Executive session.
HOUSE.
The proposition of Mr. Stephens, of Georgia,
to set apart three days in February for the con-
sideration of Territorial bills, failed-there be-
ing less than two-thirds in favor of suspending
the rules. The vote was los to II.
The consular and diplomatic appropriation
bill was then considered, and an extended dis
cussion ensued, and, without disposing of the
bill, the Committee rose.
|. The majority and minority reports of the
Committee on Fereign Relation, on the bill ma
king an appropriation to settle unadjusted diff:
fsrences with Spain, were, on motion of Mr.
Rropoh racaivod nd orJaro1 20 H.
After the reception of several Executive com
munications, the House again went into Com.
mittee of the Whole, and then took a recess un-
til seven o'clock,
AT the night session, the discussion was a
general one, the members engaged in it avail
ing themselves of the usual latitude to "define
their positions upon the several topics of the
day.
NIGHT SESSION. = The Committee of the
Whole, upon reassembliug, took up the Presi
dents annual message.
Mr.. Davis, of Massachusetts, spoke in sup
port of the fishing bounties
Mr. John Cochrane, of New York, addressed
the Committee upon the principles which are
claimed for the support of the homestead bill.
MIR. Avery, of Tennessee, proceeded to dis
cuss the foreign relations of the Government
particularly with reference to Cuba, Mexico
and Central America. In his judgment, no
greater blow was ever struck at American pros
perity and American advancement, than was
struck by Commodore Paulding under sanction
of the neutrality laws.
Mr.. Kellogg, of Illinois, said the political
parties were preparing for the canvass of 1860
The Administration Democracy had presented
as an issue the subjugation of Mexico, the
taking of Central America, and the acquisition
of Cuba. This proposition was entitled to
consideration for its extreme modesty. 1t was
true the question of the acquisition of Cuba
had ever been a popular issue, and in his iudg.
ment it ever would be, when it contemplated a
just and honorable acquisition. 1t was not
blind destiny, bat the natural inclination of the
people. But the people would not rob Mexico
nor steal Central America. Cuba could not be
bought, and conquer it we would not, while il
was dependency of Spain. 1t cannot be
purchased now but should the time ever come
when that island is about to pass into other
hands, into the hands of other Powers, we will
reach forth our hand to pluck the ripened fruit
and until that occurs, it is worse than useless to
talk of the acquisition OF Cuba.
Mr.. Atkins, of Tennessee, said that the his
tory of American politics presented two facts
One was, that there never was but two political
parties in the country; the other, that the Dem
ocratic party had always been one Of those
whilst the Opposition party had always changed
its name to suit the temper of the time. He
condemned a protective tariff, remarking that
il operated injuriously upon the interests of
the South. lie also opposed the reopenng of
the slave trade, on account of the effect it would
have on the South.
The Committee then rose, and the House ad