Year: 1870

Caleb Cushing on the Dominican Treaty-In-


controvertible Arguments.


WASHINGTON, June 4, 1870.


One OF your correspondents to-day called upon
Caleb Cushing, and in the course Of conversation
learned facts OF history and policy relative
to the treaty now pending In the Senate OF the United
States. The venerable student usual, was in the
company Of his books, and, Notwithstanding the Sc.
we're daily strain upon his energies, displayed his
natural afablty OF manner and suavity OF language.
These outward evidences of satisfactory relations
being established invited very pointed opening In
terrogatory.


CoRREsPoNDENT-Mr. Cushing suppose you
have given some attention to the st. Domingo aues-
ton. What is your opinion OF the proposed annexa-
tton2


Mr.. CusHNG-In regard to the successful ratih :
cation can make no prediction, because have
no data upon which to decide. ! am satisfied, how
ever, tnat the island is desirable acquisition; in
deed consider it necessary to the completeness Of
the American nation. 1t is a remarkable fact and
our history proves 1t, that the Congress Of the
United States, in aggregate intelligence, has
always been far inferior TO the Executive
That branch Of the government: on questions rising
above the mere detail Of local government has In no
single instance displayed itself up to the times, or
even comprehended the national necessities In their
broad Interpretation. Take the purchase of Louisi
ana, OF Florida. the acquisition Of Texas and Cafor
MIA, and you find the Executive far in advance Of
Congress. Indeed, the vast possessions embracing
our finest cotton growing and aurlferOuS regions
and necessary not only to complete the geographical
ascendency OF this nation this continent, are all
due to the advanced position held by the Executive
Now here we have history that cannot be questioned
nor denied; facts too, which have been overlooked
and may prove valuable suggestion TO the people,


CORRESPONDENT have not heard the statement
Of these facts before 1t is good point some Sena
tors do great deal OF harping upon the inadvisa-
blity OF acquiring tropical possessions.


Mr. CUsHING-SO see In the papers. Such argu-
ments are silly-in TACT, they are no arguments at
all-becapse they contain neither reason nor the
force Of facts. Show pe great nation living to-
day without her tropical possessions. Ny opinion is
tnat no nation can complete It's greatness without
acquired hold upon tile tropics; Portugal followed
9pd welded sway OF glory and power for
holds in the tropics What would England do
without India2 That is easily answered She
would eat herself up In no time. Take the neither
lands, only you may hunt q long time on the map
before you find her, she s territOriallv small
But small as she is she IS power, and only on ac-
count OF her tropical possessons-the island of Java


1t seems to be very shallow argument-admittlng
1t to be an argument at ALTO say that we should
have no tropical possessions. That Is precisely what
we do want now 10 finish q nation In terrific
rial way. Look over what our own soil now pro.
ron god silver % quicksilver sss 0 and ''o ccpper SUa
These are the great articles in the worlds
consumption. We must now have sugar, coffee and
tea then we complete the cycle Of commerce. Then
we have everything In ourselves. We can do with
out tea, that Is our own growth for the present,
though believe will raise that before long; but
there Is a danger now Of throwing away sugar and
coffee when we have both in our grasp.


CORRESPONDENT think speech OF this kind
might start the opposition out OF the rut they have
been running In.


Mr. CUsHING-These are all simple propositions. I
do not see that we need any speeches on the SUBJ
ect the matter, question Of State policy, is so
very clear. think. judging from the time consumed
without coming TO any result, that there has been
enough speaking.


CoRREsPoNDENT-One Of the greatest objections
the Senate brings up against the treaty is that there
is a job in it.


Mr. CUsHING-Well, ] do not know exactly what is
meant by job though hear that s one OF the SUBJ
jects very elabOratcly touched upon. II job means
that somebody WIN be benefited by the ratification OF
the treaty doubt whether any great measure has
gone through Congress without some one prohting
in consequence. That does not affect the treaty.
You might as well say that the late war
should never have been fought because somebody
might become enriched. think such Talk Is ABSURD
Mr.. Gushing finished his conversation by saving
that the Executive must look to the people They
the power 10 which he is responsible. They applaud
the policy of expansion and grow more patriotic
and devoted in proportion as they see their country
ascending In the scale Of grandeur before the nations
!af fhn rth