Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-02-25

from that Government infer from the Ian
gunge of the message that no pcremptory
demand has yet been made upon the Spanish
Government. When such demand shall
have been made and refused it will be time
for Congress to consider what further meas
urcs are required for the protection of the
national honor and the enforcement of pri-
vate rights.
The fact mentioned in the message in con-
nection with these claims, OF the oft-recur-
ring change in the Spanish ministry is, no
doubt, unfortunate to private claimants in
this country upon that Government ; and is,
probably. equally unfortunate to Spanish
subjects and although we may we'll regret
this vacilating policy in that Government, or
any other, sec no way in which our Gov
ernment can interfere to prevent it. Another
cause Of complaint which the President
makes is "the want of authority on the
part Of the Captain General Of Cuba to ex-
amino and redress wrongs committed by Of
ficials under his control on citizens of the
United States. The Spanish laws have new
er conferred this authority upon the Captain
General and all the intercourse of our cti-
liens with Spanish subjects in Cuba is pre-
sumed to have been had with a full knowl-
edge of the laws regulating that intercourse;
and while it may be inconvenient for our cit
liens to be compelled to go to Madrid to seek
redress, there may be good and sufficient
reasons why Spain should retain the right to
pass upon all those questions affecting the
revenue, or property of the State, rather
than intrust that power to a subordinate Of
fcer. The Spanish Minister Of State (Don
Calderon Collontes) in his message of the
4th of January last, in speaking of this por
tion of the Presidents message, says
90 But the demand is made that the Cap
tain General of Cuba should have power to
administer the government of that country,
and to act in all questions which may arise.
| do not see upon what demand so impor-
tant can be founded. There has never been
a conflict which could not be settled in the
best way by her Majesty's Government, and
that in short time. Communications with
those countries are now frequent, so much
so that the Tampico reparation, of which
spoke Just now, was made on the lst of De-
cember of last year, and her Majesty's Gov
ernnent received the acknowledgement dur
ing the month.
"This shows, then, how much delay oc-
ours in the communication of the petitions
of the Government of the United States to
her Majesty's Government, and how much
time will be necessary to return the answer
which the Government may decide upon.
But whether the time which these commu-
nications require be long or short, the Crown
of Spain cannot be deprived of the preroga-
tivcs which belong to it. The direction Of
the foreign relations, the determination Of
all international conflicts, whatever may be
their nature, belongs exclusively to the
Crown; the exercise Of this prerogative can
not be delegated; 1t would be an abdication
which the neutrality-suspicious. public
powers could not tolerate. The Spanish
Government will, therefore, resist any indi-
cation whatever which may be made in this
direction; and beforehand it takes the op-
portunity to declare that the Captain Gene
raj of Cuba will continue to exercise the
powers which belong to him at present, and
that they will receive no extension, because
the laws do not allow it, the public powers
would not authorize it, and it would not be
consistent with the dignity of the Crown
"And so it is seen, consequently, that.
with respect to the three poin winch have
occupied the public attenfi =, ami which
necessarily have occupied - attention OF all,
the Spanish Goyeruin 'n. is in a tranquil po-
sition. firm and advantageous. And as to
our relations there has been nothing to dis
turb them .ni as to the alienation Of Cuba,
it is do sion into which none can lall who
are acquainted with Spain and have penetra-
ted into the feelings and into the character OF
our country and as to the powers OF the
Captain General of Cuba. there is no motive,
either of convenience or expediency, for en-
larsing them. The Spanish Government is
the only Judge of the expediency Of any
measure Of interior adm ministrati9n, and this
Is of that character
1t would seem us if this answer ought to be
conclusive in the mind of the President
against the justice or propriety of this de-
mand. The same embarrlssments exists in
our intercourse with the colonies and de-
tendencies of other Governments. 1t is a
subject with which this Government has no
|, right to interfere, and has no just cause OF
complaint. as long US treaty obligations are
observed, and we are placed on the same foot
} ing with the most favored nations of the
earth.
The President says, further, that "Cuba,
in its existing colonial condition, is con-
slant source of injury and annoyance to the
} American people" This expression of the
President is susceptible of different construc-
tions, and it is doubtful in what sense he
wishes to be understood. If it is injurious
| and Annoying to maintain prosperous and
! increasing commerce with that island, and tc
J exchange the productions and manufacture;
of our county for those of Cuba, then the
President is right in saying that its present
condition is injurious and annoying to the
: American people But, hardly think that
the President has expressed the true senti-
ment Of the American people to whom he
refers. | know the possession of that island
by the Spanish Government, is source Of
annoyance to a portion, and believe it tc
be small portion, of our people. But the
! ANNOYANCE does not arise from any direct
7 material injury to themselves, or to any
! American interests. 1t arises rather from q
r coyetous spirit of envy. They are annoyed
7 that that beautiful island should be in thu
possession of any other Power, or of any
body else but themselves. Believing, as do
that this is the sum total of the injury and an
> noyance which the Spanish possession of thai
island entails upon our people, it has strucl
me with surprise that the President should
7 have made 1t a subject of comment, or of re-
! mark even, in his message to Congress.
Another reason assigned by the Presiden
G for the acquisition of Cuba, is the happy of
9 feet which he anticipates from it in the sup
l preston of the African slave trade. This i
t an argument which addresses itself to th
e moral sense of the country and if the fact
e warrant the belief which the President ha
0 expressed, it will be regarded by some as al
0 important, and with some, perhaps, as con
elusive reason why we should secure its &C
h auisition If the President can devise any
= means by which this disgraceful traffic IL
: human souls can be forever abolished, he viii
!, not want for support in enabling him to appl.
G them. But insist, Mr.. Chairman, that h
S has fallen into grave error in supposin,
e that the acquisition OF Cuba will accomplish
S any such result. He says that we are boun'
l by treaty with Great Britain to maintain
0 naval force on the coast of Africa, at mucl
h expense both Of life and treasure, solely 70
: the purpose of arresting slavers bound to tina
a island. The treaty which was concluded be
Q tween this country and Great Britain on tn
9th day of August, 1912, and to which tn
. President refers, makes no mention of Cuba