The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-02-15
HILLSDALE MICH, TUESDAY, FEB. I5 1859.

rope, England ana Franco, llable TO l0se
it to one or the other beligerent at any mo-
ment. To day England and France are
net only allies, but they are united in
maintaining Spain in the enjoyment Of the
Islands Of Cuba and Porto Rico, the last
remnants of her once world wide empire
Spain exhibits, more decidedly than ever
within the last 20 years. the habits of ac-
quiescence and loyalty by her people to-
ward her existing institutions. She seems
to have passed the period when tho coun-
try was rent, convulscd, and distracted by
the contests of Democratic and Monarchical
factions. At present she Is apparently in
a condition Of profound repose and content
ment. II there was any doubt about this
subject, all doubt is now removed by the
answer which we have already received from
the authorities of Spain. to this very prop
osition ofthe President Of the United States
in the form in which it is proposed that we
shall adopt it. Our mail of this morning
brings us the answer of tho Spanish Gov
ernment and Legislature to our advances,
even before we have taken the first STEP
In tho Spanish Chamber Of Deputies, NJ.
Ulioa asked the Government:
If it intends to reply to tho message Of
Mr.. Buchanan, nasmuch as in that message
is n paragraph on the subject Of annexing
Cuba to tho United States, which contains
a new and really grave snsult to the Span
ish nation.
Marshal O'Donnell declared that the
Government was disposed to demand duo
satisfaction Of such an insult.
In its relations with the United States,
as in those with all other countries, it has
always cndeavorcd to be circumspect, med
crate, reserved, but always dignif d and
firm, as tho government of great people
ought to be.
The period of d;scouragement, caused by
war and disunion has ceased in SPAIN
Our country is now positively in an era of
development and veritable restoration. If
tho power of Spain be not great enough to
menace, it is strong enough to defend the
integrity Of tho territory of the monarchy,
and to preserve the dignity of the Spanish
name without stain.
In whatever circumstances the Spanish
nation may find ITSELF it will, in the future
as in the past, never DO insensible to its
honor; never will it abandon the smallest
portion OF It's territory; and a proposition
having that tendency, will always be con-
sidered by the Government as an insult to
tho Spanish people. (Approbation.)
The sentiment Of nationality, which
was supposed to be weakened, and which,
unhappily, was slightly weakened by our
intestine discords-this sentiment, the
source of high deeds, and of generous and
heroic aspirations, displays now new vigor,
and is increasing in such way, that, whilst
VIC will naver be aggressive, and never as
rire to dominate, We will never allow any
encroachment to be made on the inherit.
ance left us by our fathers. Appreciation.
NJ. Olo !aga, in his own name, and in
that of several other eminent members rep
resenting the different political parties,
then proposed this resolution;
"The Congress declares that it has re-
ceived with satisfaction the declaration of
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that
it is disposed to give to the Government
its constant support, in or Ter TO maintain
the integrity of the Spanish dominion.
"The resolution was unanimously adopt
ed. and ordered to be inscribed in tho ar
chives."
Now, Sir having shown that there is
not the least earthly prospect of acquiring
tho Island of Cuba, by or in consequence
Of tho passage Of this Bill, what follows!
1t follows that the question whether Cuba
is desirable, and ought to bo attained, is
not at all in debate 1t is an idle, Wis
ionary and mschievous abstraction. II ere
is no such question here; but the question
which is presented is, whether the Congress
Of tho United States shall authorize the
President Of the United States to offer an
indignity to Spain. That is ali.
Mr.. Slidell-Willthe Senator from New
York permit inc to interrupt him.
Mr.. Seward-Ccrtainly
Mr.. Slidell-The dangers that he deprc-
Gates has already arrived. The cause Of
quarrel exists already, according to the ex
tract he read from the speech of Gen. o.
Donnell the insult has been given by the
President, and immediate reparation is de-
mandcd. Therefore, we cannot very well
aggravatc that irsnlt. It has passed from
our power.
Mr.. Seward-I have an answer for the
honorable Senator. Ipropose TO leave tho
President the constitutional power which
he enjoys, Of instituting treaties with Spain
for the purchase of Cuba, in the Caribbean
Sea. and with all other powers for all 9TH
er islands..i in all the oceans throughout the
g.obe. l propose to leave him the right
and power Of sending to Congress messages
announcing beforehand the treaties he pro-
poses to make and leave him to answer,
on his own responsibility to the people and
to the world, for the wisdom and the tenn
per, the moderation and the dignity with
which he executes these great trusts.
propose, on the other hand, to reserve my
own authority, my own constitutional pow
er, and to maintain the dignity of my own
official functions, and not at ali to become
party to an insult which the President Of
the United States may be supposed 20 have
already offered!to Spain. I cannot consent
to 60 to his aid, though it may he neeessa-
rv to extricate him out Of the dilemma in
which he finds himself involved by a rash
ness which did not advise.
Sir, will not srop to inquire as an ab.