Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-02-26
the acquisition of territory can no longer
be made BY purchase?

w uh"uO pS pUiCiiiSc.
In the expansion of American people,
we seek no subjects. We ask only that
the people Of countries acquired shall gov
crn themselves. 1t was fallacy to speak
OF Cuba as belonging to Spain. Spain did
not own the soil of the island as property.
That was not the theory of our Declaration
OF independence. 1t is for the people to
say whether they will continue under the
dominion of Spain, or join their fortunes
with this Confcderacy
He would propose to Spain, first, the
purchase of Cuba, and ifthat were refused
he would say to Spain, Grant indepeud-
cnce to your subjects in Cubu, and we will
pay an equivalent for the revenues YOU
abandon? = lfSpain should refuse both
these propositions, then he would tell her
that the day had como when the people of
the United States declared in the face of
the world that they were ready and rcsol-
we'd upon the first OCCASION that offered, to
give to the people of the Island of Cuba
the same aid and Succor in achieving their
independence that Great Britain once pro-
posed to give-to form with Cuba the same
alliance that France made with us when
she came to our aid in the darkest moment
OF our Revolution. Renewed applause in
the gallery When the Cubans should be-
come free and independent, if they desired
TO maintain ascparatc republic, let them do
so, and we would aid, cherish and protect
them against all foreign interference and
grant them the blessings of free CONNER
cIal intercourse with us. But he would al
so say that, independence once declared, if
Cuba desired to unitewith us to enjoy the ad-
vantagcs of our charmed circle she should
be welcome to us, and, being welcome, the
sword of the nation should smitc down
whomsocvcr should attempt to sunder the
union which the God of freedom sanctioned.
In the House of Representatives, peud-
ing consideration of the Oregon Bill, Mr.
Bonham, of South Carolina, gave notice
that at the proper time, he should move to
add an additional section to the bill, provi-
ding that it shall not take effect until by a
census, duly and legally taken under the
direction OF the Secretary of the Interior,
it shall be asccrtained that the population
equal or exceed the ratio of representation
required for a member of Congress and
should the census so taken show q popu-
lation cqualling or exceeding the ratio of
representation, the President shall announce
the same by proclamation and thereafter,
and without further proceedings, this act
shall take effect, and the admission of Or
cgon be complete.
Mr.. Gilman, of Maine. could not vote
for the admission of Oregon with the pro-
hibiton in her constitution upon free nc
gros and mulatos Still he was more will
ing to be charitable in relation to that con
stltution than some gentlemen on his side
OF the House. lie was informed, and he
believed it to be historical fact, that the
early cmigrants to Oregon were from the
New England States; and in the constitu-
ton which they formed for the preserva-
tIon oftheir rights and their property they
embodied the same features which were so
Objectionable to many members in the
House.
WAsuINGroN, Feb. II, 1S50.-In the SEN
ate, Mr.. Hunter, of Va, made an able free
trade speech.
Mr.. Pugh presented the credentials of
Hon. Joseph Lane, Senator elect from the
State of Oregon
MIR. Gwin presented those of his colleague,
Hon. ID. Smith.
The credentials were read, and the Sena-
Quoted to the Vice Presidents desk, and the
oath administered. On choice, Mr.. Lane
drew the short term for seats, and Mr. Smith
the long one. The galleries were dcnsely
crowded. ,v
The Indiana contested election case was
takcnpp.
Mr.. CoIlamor at some length advocated the
claims of Mcssrs. Lane and McCarty to al.
mission to the floor to defend their alleged
rights to seats ns Senators from Indiana.
Mr.. Crittenden desired that the contestants
might be heard. h
Mrl Pugh said tbcywere not contestants
Putpnly the. bearers Of petition from the
Indiana Legislature, and had no right to adj
mission on the floor. There was no vacancy
in the Indiana delegation.
Mr.. Trumbuil contendod at length against
the right of Messrs, Bright and Fitch to their
seats. . .
Mr.. Green replied and said it was disrcs-
pectful to the Senate to ask it to reverse its
decision after having once settled the qucs-
tion.
Mr., Bayarl thought the decision giving
McSsrs Bright and Fitch seats was wrong,
but like that Of q court of law was irreyersi-
bic "a tFE
Mr.. Seward said TO declare the decision
final was 10 claim nfallbilty. 1t was not a
Judgment in judicial sense, because the
Senate only had constitutional and not Judi
cial powers. lie should move to expunge the
resolution of June 18th, 1858, giving Messrs.
Fitch and Bright their seats and continue to
do SO as he had scat there.
The subject was debated with consdera-
Bile asperity up to Z O'clock, when tho res0-
luton was finally adopted, affirming the
right of the sitting members by yeas 80,
nays 10. Messrs, Douglns and Broderick