The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-20

$13 Is $13 So; thin sold at SIT, and clear
mess at $40 Sugars in fair request; the sales EN-
raced about 800 900 hhds., chiefly New Orleans, and
0 boxes at steady prices. Coffee was quiet and sales
limited, while prices steady Freight engagements
were light, and rates without change of importance
The Presidents Recommendation to Com
gress-Nhere the Responsibility OF Their
Support Lies.
1t is evident from the shape matters are taking
in the Senate at Washington, that the petty
cliques and factions among those claiming to be-
long to the democratic majority are bent upon
rendering nugatory the wise craftsmanship of the
President, and defeating his patriotic efforts to
elevate the policy of the country above their
puerile and selfish conceptions.
Nearly three months have elapsed since his
annual message was laid before them, and up to
the present time they have not permitted action
on one of its judicious suggestions. For nearly
TWO months they quibbled and baked on the
question of following his recommendation in re-
gard to the acquisition of Cuba, and they have
FILTERED away another month since the introduce
ion of the bill by the Committee on Foreign
Relations, in taking it up and putting it down,
without either coming to action or permitting
a vigorous and continued debate on it.
In the meantime, the question has gone out before
he people, and everywhere the masses are
rallying to the support of the President on
his vital question to every interest in the coun
try. The opponents of the administration have
been cowed into silence upon it, skulking the
question, as did Seward a few days since, when
asked to say categorically what was his position
in relation to the acquisition of Cuba. The
factious selfstyled supporters of Mr.. Buchanan
who began with jeering the measure when it was
first presented to Congress. fading it was too
strong with the people, have now chsGged their
tactics, and with seeming support have evident
y determined to kill it in the Senate by indirect
opposition and delay, so that the policy of the
President shall not have even the sanction of one
Of the houses of Congress.
This course is the more fatal now, when it is
manifest that we are on the eve of great compli-
cations in Europe, and when the opinions of Mr.
Buchanan should have all the legislative sane
ton that can possibly be given to them. The
vote of even the Senate alone in favor of the bill
authorizing him to negotiate for Cuba, may pos
sibly enable him to acquire that island
by peaceable means before the present
year expires while the neglect to pass
that bill in the Senate will surely de-
prive his conduct of our foreign rela-
tons of the moral support and strength which
its passage by one branch Of Congress would
give him. In view of this state of affairs
we call upon Congress to act Immediately on
tirc Oupa DILL. Let the frlenus vi the measure
make short speeches, and those to the purpose
and press the question to fair and square vote
at once. We want to see who are the real
friends of the administration, and who are the
false ones. Congress has but one more working
week, and those who fritter it away in factious
discussions for the precedence of this or that
measure are the secret, if not the open foes of
the administration.
In another column we give a variety of let
tiers and articles, which show the Importance the
measure now before the Senate has acquired on
this continent and in Europe. From Cuba it
will be seen that letters continue to come in
upon us, showing the anxiety with which it is
contemplated there. In the State Legislature of
Maine it has been brought up, and promptly
crushed by the black republican majority as
the most dangerous question for them
that could possibly be started; and
significant article on slavery in Cuba and the
United States, which we translate from the Paris
Pdtrie strongly urges that that island shall be
given over to the mulattoes and negroes, as ST.
Domingo has been, in order to save it from an
nexation to this Union. If the Senate during the
present week denies to the President the sane
ton Of its favorable vote on the Cuba bill, it
will render his voice impotent in Europe for the
rest Of his term, and may retard the true deve-
lopement and progress of this country for half a
century.
The entire country will watch the course of
tense interest. Its action is pregnant with veal
or with wo; and with a large majority in favor
Of the Presidents recommendations, ii may kill
them all by making their support the pretext for
uDjustifable delay and factious claims for prece-
dence The Cuba bill has passed through the
greater part of its discussion. The opposition
have spent the force Of their exertiens against it,
and it should at once be brought to vote. Those
who kill or smother it indirectly, by insisting
upon opening new discussions on other measures.
giving them precedence, will be as responsible to
the country and to the President for its defeat as
though they openly opposed it. We shall hold
every man to his responsibility before the people
in this matter, and no one can doubt, who will
look at it with his eyes open that the great popu.
lar masses will support the President. Mr..
Buchanan has done his duty to his country and
to his own fair fame. He has brought the sub
ject before Congress- he has urged its passage in
every honorable way; and if the Senate now re.
fuses to support him, upon them and not upon
him will rest the blame.