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

454 ABRIDGMENT OF THE SENATE.] Debate on the Panama Mission in Secret Session. [MARca, 1826. that the policy of this Government is such as I Does any gentleman doubt what is the view have represented it, I refer myself to the argu- taken of this declaration by the Republics of mnent of the gentleman from New York, with Spanish America, or that they consider it to be whom I concur generally, in the view which he one of the subjects of the deliberations of the has taken of this distinctive feature, in the politi- Congress at Panama, in which we are to parcal history of this Union. ticipate? On both these points, the Minister Standing on an elevated position in an attitude of the United States of Mexico is clear and exwhich has secured to us the respect and admi- plicit. He expresses himself thus: " The Govration of the world-having attained this ele- emnment of the subscriber never supposed nor vation, by preserving an entire freedom of ac- desired that the United States of America tion, and by the rapid development of our own would take part in the Congress about to be resources, what is it that should tempt us to held, in other matters than those which, from descend from our high estate, to mingle in diplo- their nature and importance, the late adminismatic intrigues, and to make ourselves parties tration poitecd out and characterized as being to international Confederacies, on this or the of general interest to this Continent." This isthe other side of the Atlantic? Especially it is strongest mode of expressing both the expectamost obvious to inquire, what is the character tion and the desire of the Mexican Government, of that association, of which we are about to be- that the United States would take part in the come a party, by approving this nomination? Congress, in those matters which] had been so Sir, it is not a mere Diplomatic Council. It is characterized and pointed out. The Minister an international assembly, created by treaties, proceeds: "_For which reason, (that is, beand invested with powers, which are efficient cause the late administration had pointed it out for the purposes of its institution, some and the as of general interest to the Continent,) one of principal of which are belligerent. An associa- the subjects which will occupy the attention of tion with such a Congress, must necessarily the Congress, will be the resistance or oppocommit our neutrality. sition to the interference of any neutral nation, The general argument on these propositions, in the question and war of independence, behas been pressed with so much perspicuity and tween the new powers of the continent and force, by gentlemen who have preceded me; Spain." Here is the idea in bold relief, a disthey have gone into such fulness of detail, that tinct assertion, that resistance to the interference I do not propose to tax the patience of the of any European power, in the war between Senate, by a renewed discussion of the whole Spain and those States, is a question of general question. There are two points connected with interest to the continent, this Government init, however, on which I desire to be heard. cluded: that it has been expressly so characterIn the first place, I ask the attention of the ized by the late administration, and that it is Senate to this remark. one of those subjects to be discussed in that Whatever declarations may be made to the Congress, in which woe are expected to particicontrary, however foreign it may be from the pate. But how participate? By our counsels intention of the President, it will be the neces- merely? No, sir. Being, as this Minister assary consequence of this mission, that we shall serts we are, "of accord (with them) as to rebecome parties to the Congress of Panama to sistance," we are, in that Congress, to " discuss the extent of what is denominated the pledge the means of giving to that resistance all possible of Mr. Monroe, or we must disappoint the ex- force," which, he adds, is only to be accompectations, and excite the resentments, of the plished'"by a previous concert as to the mode Spanish American States. This proposition in- in which each shall lentd its co-operation." The eludes these ideas: Minister of Colombia is equally decisive on this That the Spanish American States consider point. He speaks of this subject as one to be this Government as pledged to them to resist discussed in the Congress, and one of great imthe interference of any European power in the portance; suggests the propriety of a treaty in war which they are waging for their independ- relation to it, to remain secret until the casus ence, by force of the official declarations of fcaderis should happen, and adds, "This is a Mr. Monroe, and the subsequent acts of our ad- matter of immediate utility to the American ministration. States that are at war with Spain, and is in acThat it is one and a principal and distinctly cordance with the reopeated declarations and proavowed object of the proposed Congress of tests of the Cabinet at Washington." To this Panama, to concert the means by which effect discussion, and this treaty, he manifestly exis to be given to this our system of policy. pects that we are to become parties. That the assent of the Senate, the remaining Is it not then obvious, that these invitations branch of the treaty-making power, is alone have been given by the Ministers of the Spanish wanting to commit the ncational faith, however American States, under a perfect conviction, the forms of the constitution may require other which is plainly and frankly expressed in the agencies for its redemption. very letters of invitation, that we would parThat a failure to realize these expectations, ticipate in the deliberations of the Congress at must be productive of feelings of coldness and Panama, in the resistance to be made to the inill will. terference of any neutral nation, in the question Let us examine the two first in connection. and war of independence between these States

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Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 454
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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