Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

DEBATES OF CONGRESS. 433 MARCH, 1826.] Debate on the Panama l)fission in Secret Session. [SENATE. " political importance," (as Mr. Salazar calls it, " The resistance or opposition to the interference page 8,) to those Spanish States, in their bellig- of any neutral nation ill the question and war of erent attitude, which might be construed into independence between the new powers of the aid and comfort; and which if given by a sub- continent and Spain." Ile adds, that this subject to an enemy, whether amounting to treason ject " the late administration pointed out and or not, would subject him to troublesome s6ru- characterized as being of general interest to the tinies; and which when given by one State to continent." HIe proceeds upon this point in another, cannot be very far from a violation language too explicit for misunderstanding: of the spirit of neutrality. But I hasten to " The Government of the undersigned appreother considerations. All my remarks, thus hends that, as the powers of America are of acfar, have proceeded on the hypothesis, that our cord as to resistacnce, it behooves them to discuss actual intentions, in joining this Congress, were the means of giving to that resistance all posin every respect commendable, were entirely siblefor'ce that the evil may be met, if it cannot pacific, and in no degree connected with "' the be avoided: and the only means of accomplishprosecution of the present war;" or, as Mr. ing this object is by a previosus concert as to the Clay again expresses it, (28th December, 1825, mode in wohich each of them shall lend its co-oppage 3,) "with councils for deliberating on the eration," &c. The opposition to colonization means of its further prosecution." Are all our in America by the European powers, will be intentions so, in point of fact? I trust we are another of the questions which may be discussed, not to be deceived by any chaff scattered over and which is in a like predicament with the forethis subject by the wiles of foreign diplomacy, going. The two principal objects, therefore, or to deceive ourselves by any general profes- which we are invited to discuss there, is the sions, and loose protestations, not warranted by peaceful question of " resistance " to the interour acts. Foreign powers cannot be thus blind- ference of any other neutral nation in tlheir presed; nor can the American people long be hood- ent war; and of " resistance" " to colonization winked in this way into any "pledges" or " se- in America" by any European power; and cret " alliances of co-operation with other na- there to settle "the means of giving to that retions, in support of any newborn theories, or sistance all possible force "-or, in other words, any experimental principles, not conformable to there to agree, by a previous concert as to the our ancient policy and our true interests. mode in which each of them shall lend its coI aver, then, that, by the documents before operation." Co-operation! how, or when! Of us, whatever may be the verbiage on either side course, by money, troops, or vessels of war, as to neutrality, the real objects, as disclosed on whenever Naples, for example, may choose to the side of Spanish America, in alluring us to aid Spain in her present contest; or whenever this Congress at Panama, is to involve us in the Sweden, for instance, may choose to purchase end in the prosecution of the present war. I from her Cuba or Porto Rico. will attempt to show that she either believes, There is no mistake on this point, as to the or pretends, that we have already given a pledge gist or essence of the mission. I care not for to join her in its prosecution in a certain con- any formal flourishes concerning neutrality. tingency; that she invited us to unite in the Nations look to deeds, not words. What are Congress till about the time when she professed the deeds to be done there, and in pursuance to believe that contingency would soon happen; of what is done there? -Mr. Salazar, like and that, in all her correspondence as to the ob- Mr. Obregon, November 2d, 1825, (page 7,) jects of our attendance, she thrusts forward into says, " the manner in which all colonization of the first rank the discussions as to the mode of European powers on the American continent redeeming that pledge, and of rendering effec- shall be resisted, and their interference in the tual our "co-operation" with her upon that present contest between Spain and her former ground. I will attempt to show also, that a colonies prevented, are other points of great inpart of our Cabinet must thus understand her, terest" to be discussed by us at Panama. and that if we now confirm this mission for such " Were it proper, an eventual alliance, in case an object, we do, by the very mission itself, bind these events should occur, which is within the ourselves, in a certain contingency, to future hos- range of possibilities, and the treaty, of which tilities, unless we are willing to be branded as no use should be made until the casus faederis mere boasters and brawlers, who do not intend, should happen to remain secret," &c., would be in the end, to redeem our plighted faith. different means " to secure the same ends," &c. In support of these positions, Mr. Obregon, "The conferences held on this subject being in his letter of November 3d, 1825, (page 4,) confidential," &c. Are we then so readily to. states as the reason for inviting us to the Con- slide into the snares of artful diplomacy? And gress of Panama, that, " in the meeting of it, it are we, by this mission, to form " an eventual. was thought proper, by the Government of the alliance " to maintain principles which have subscriber, that the United States of America, never yet been avowed but by one department by means of their commissioners, should con- of our Government, and which alliance is to be stitute and take part, as being so much inter- kept " secret " from the people and States. ested in the first and principal object upon which whom we represent? Is it to be locked up here the Congress would be engaged." What is that as " confidential," till the casusfcederis happens3 object? Let the same gentleman answer. and then our Government branded as perfidious, VOL. VIII. —28

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Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 433
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

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Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

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