Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-02-12

least to exclude it as effectually as tie old
ststes of Europe exclude our migration: there,
Ind as efectually as our old established States
practically exclude immigration from outside
Of their borders. "a -
This population, then, is to be the ruling
population of that Island What rights will
citizens of the United States enjoy there p
The one million, five hundred thousand souls
are divided: one half whites, two hundred
and fifty thousand free blacks, and four hun
dred thousand slaves. What institutions of
Justice, of freedom, Of religion, and public
worship, will obtain OF remain there? I need
to know. If were willing to leave these
great questions to the President of the United
States, have no right to do 50. have
voice, one of sixty -four voices, to determine
whether such country shall be brought into
the United States, and on what terms and con
ditions. Joined with my colleague, we have
one of, .thirty-two voices, on these mlenty
questions! The power to speak involves
constitutional responsibility to express the
voice of the State of New York upon such
measure, and on all important details, before
it shall be adopted ...--..t,-,
And in its social aspect, thus:
Sir, if there ever was an occasion on which
should adhere tenaciously to this right, and
insist upon retaining this power, it would be
in such case as this. I want to see the
treaty which shall bring the island of Cuoa in
to the United States. I want to know the
status which that country is to occupy. Is it
to be territory of subjects, ofpolitical slaves?
a province, governed by armies and navies,
as Spain now governs it? may ask the
President of the United States when he has
executed the treaty. Who are to be the cleo
tors of the State? What is to be the status
of the white population? Are they to enjoy
universal suffrage? What is to be the stGtue
of the free negro population? What is to be
the status of the slave population? We who
have disputed so earnestly, often so vehement
ly, year after year, year in and year out, over
the question whether the institution of slavery
shall be introduced into the territory of Kan
sas, are expected President in his simplicity,
to allow him to determine for the North and
for the South, for the free states and the slave
states at his own absolute pleasure, the terms
and conditions upon which Cuba shall be an
nexed to the United States, and incorporated
into the Union. say nothing of the present
incumbent of the Executive Office. / say
ON earth a magistrate to whom would con-
fide this great question, having constitution
al right to decide it myself. ...=a.
need not say, sir, that all our treaties of
annexation contain stpulations guarantying
rights to the countries annexed, to be incor-
porated into the Union, and determining the
future political rights, power and authority of
the inhabitants of those countries. This bill,
then, is in derogation of the power of the Sem
ate to determine by treaty for itself what the
safety, honor, and welfare of the country de-
mand in regard to the political organization
!, and government of the Island of Cuba, if it
shall be acquired. ..4a.....
And concludeth pleasantly:
The proposition seems to be an empty one,
on idle one, ludicrous one /; and if it were
not for violating the respect due to the Presi-
dent of the United States and the majority OF
the committee who sanction it, should say
ridiculous one. There is play which we
have sometimes seen at the theatre, in which
the heroine is an honest house wife, who has
: propensity for buying everything at auction,
, and she is always able to assign at least one
good reason for it, namely, though the article
bought is not wanted at the time, yet it is
. cheap, and it will be so handy to have it if il
e should ever be wanted. So, one day she
/ bought huge door-plate sold at an action OF
a neighbours furniture, on which was inscribed
in large letters the name of Thompson
, spelled with 'p," although her own name as
!. well as her husbands, was Toodle. When
the indignant Mr.. Toodle called her to account
for the expense, "why," she said, show do
you know, my dear, that we shall not one day
have child, and that child may not be a
daughter, and that that daughter may not be
married to somebody, and just as likely as
not that somebody will be man named
Thompson" and his name may be spelled
with ''p," QaughtcrD as it will then just fit
exactly. l could not help buying it, because
it was so cheap, and it will be so handy, you
know, to have it in the house. That, sir, is
exactly the value of this great Presidential
demonstration, that has disappointed its own
immoderate desires not more than the less
,, sanguine expectations of the American people.