Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-13

TO negotiate such a treaty.
Now, the committee on foreign affairs
through the gentlemen who is their mouth-piece
on this occasion, refuses to submit to this house
resolution requesting the president to lay be-
fore II the information upon which he has acted,
and which he says he has. The committee on
foreign affairs refuses to allow the sense of this
house TO be taken on the request contained in
the message of the president of the United States
to appoint commissioners with authority to ne
gotiate treaty. Instead of that they bring be-
fore the house proposition which the presi-
dent never has suggested, to appoint commits
sion, whose duties, if applied to any state in this
coantry, with all the means and appliances of our
census bureau, would take from six to twelve
months to perform in a decent or reasonable
manner. Who has right to say that President
Grant has endorsed or that President Grant de-
sires the preparation of the farce, as great as
any that ever excited the derision of mankind,
of undertaking to obtain facts in regard to a
foreign country which the senate of the United
States refused 10 allow TO be obtained in regard
TO our own country, when they were included in
the census bill, upon the ground of the time and
money which such investigation would con-
sumo?
yield 10 no man in respect for the president.
Men may have held the office who brought to it
larger experience in civil affairs or a more eX-
tensive knowledge of administrative detail. But
no man, in my opinion, ever filled the presden-
wrong was fully and fairly presented for his de-
termination, gave it more prompt and uner-
ring decision. But this is a proposition TO de-
vOlVe upon the president, without his request,
the duty OF appointing committee of this house.
This commission is not asked for the informa-
ton of the president. He tells us in his message
that he is already fully informed, and has deter
mined the question in his own mind. 1t is not
asked for the Information of the country; for it
is expected that the report will be acted upon ir-
revocably by congress before the country can
have an opportunity to know and consider the
information that may be obtained. 1t is solely
for the information lof the two houses. The
president is to furnish the eyes and ears through
which we are expected to see and hear.
But, Mr.. Speaker, my objection to this meas
ure is that the question of the annexation of
Dominica is TO be determined, not by considera-
ton of the condition of that island, but by con-
sideration Of the condition of our own country.
am not willing to annex to our self-govern-
inc republic an island which, in my Judgment
will be filled at first with the scum of the
tropics, with the Adventures Of all lands, that
they may come in here and take part as equals
in the government of this country while We
are at present in the precarious condition in
which we find ourselves. Over eleven, ay, thir
teen states, are fast obtaining power, who obtain
it for the purpose of welding it in hostili
ty to the government of the United States
We have u very large tract of our country
"nSio MSohllJ as appears lIOih VcpoTts Vi TIT
| committees of this house, men are taken from
| their beds and whipped, men are taken from
| Their beds and murdered, simply because they
| love the country and are faithful TO its flag
And that rebellious element, seeking to strike
hands with the corruptions of Tammany hall
is threatening to take possession of this govern
ment for four years after the completion of thu
| present administration. | am not willing Il
take single step which will tend TO add to THU
mighty danger-a danger, in my Judgment, al
ready greater than menaced this country in thu
dark days of 1861, or the darker days of 1862
anew source of peril.
Here the hammer FELL