Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-03-17
RICHMOND, MARCH u, 1920.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
ons vos fortuna qoietas
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Many are the remarks which have been
made and exhibited to pablo view, upon the
subject OF our relations with Spain The
consequences anticipated from the present
posture of affairs. are as various Az those sps.
culdtlons have been numerous A majOritv OF
those who have written upon the question.
appear TO apprehend that war with that
power must be the unavoidable result of the
existing differences. This idea am induced
10 believe Is founded upon a slight and super
hciai consideration of the subject. hat
resort to hOstilities should be made by the
spanish government il is scarcely possible to
believe, from the natural uUw illingness il must
entertain to augment those difficulties occa-
stoned by violent and hitherto ineffe ctual
contest with its colonies in South America. "
Aud although thi' powerful reason for the
pursuance OF pacific measures did not operate
am at loss to imagine. who're they would
Rnd any adequate motive for entering upon
war.
Bnt am willing to believe that this is not
the source from which the promulgat tors OF
such evil auguries, have calculated upon
rupture. II will appear manifest upon more
mature reflection, that declaration of war
on the part OF the United States is equally i'm
probable /; unless we can suppose that the
illustrious body i'm which our constitution has
invested the important power OF declaring
peace and war will entirely lose sight both OF
Justice and policy.
But In order to establish the correctness of
TINS position, lei us endeavor 10 ascertain by
what chain at reasoning the advocates of the
former opinion have deduced conclusions.
foreboding so alarming calamity. They argue
IN the following manner: The Spanish gov
eminent having formerly acceded to a treaty
whereby they stipulated TO guarantee the
safety OF our frontier from the incursion of
indians inhabitlng the Spanish territory on
the western borders of the United States ne
cessariiy incurred an obligation 10 restrain the
Invasion OF those savages Bnt az thev have
hitherto refused, either from impotence or
design, to comply with the provisions OF the
ioremeniioned treaty, we possess the right of
demanding that territory against the erup-
tIons of those Indians to whom il affords
shelter, and whose asgressions the Spanish an.
thorit'es have glariRgly evinced such want of
inclination or power to prevent But whilst
weasstr' this as an incontestable claim,w are
nevertheless willing 10 acquire in a peaceable
ana amIcable manner what il our nndoUbted
right however. as they have refused TO make
voluntary cessiOn of Florida, as appears from
lhelr la'ilng To- ratify the treaty having that
surrender for its object, we are resolved TO
| acquire forcible possession, deeming il Indis-
pensabie to our safety.
While the justness of this reasoning. TO
certain extent, is cheerfulIy conceded, / ne
vertleiess deny its adequacy TO substantiate
the opiuion in aid of which il has been adduc-
ed. For notwithstanding the injuries that
nave been received from Spain are of the most
paipabIe nature. 1t does not necessarily follow
mat they are sufficient TO justify The adopton
OF measure whlcl whnld AMOUNT tn A decIa-
| ration of war. These who advocate the poIicy
| of taking possession of Florida. should reflect
| upon the awful importance of The MEASURE
| They should recoect that it is not a step unou
| which the safety OF few inhabitants rssidinp
upon our western borders are alone in yotvcd
bnt a measure affecting the whole community
| mere are certain preliminary questions the
| DETERMINATIONS OF which should lnva bly pre
ceue inc adoption OF a measure whereby go-
Vernmcnt Is compelled to endure the catami.
| ties inseparable from war. These subjects of
previous consideration are treated of by wri-
teTs upon national law IN explaining the causes
| winch Will Justify recourse TO hostile pro-
| ceedings. When we reflect upon the una void-
| able tram OF calamitieS incident to warljke
| operations, and consider the devastation and
| havoc watch must generally ensae humanity
| VIII suggest the propriety of RETAINING from
| force unless il be demanded by the mDst i'm,
| perious necessity. Aud The rulers of eyer>
| government will he morally responsible for all
| the ml>eries endured by their fellow citizens
IN the prosecution ofany Uni ust or unnecessary
| war. Ii becomes those therefore who arc
! eHdowed with his high pTeTogative TO proceed
| with the utmost caution and cirCumSpeetiou
| IN the exercise OF power, so powerful in :
| intluence upon tbeintePests of society. Those
| enlightened writers who have extracted from
/ The history of past ages, aud from The pnre
| fountain OF natural reason, the eternal princi,
| Piles OF justice by whichthe mutual intercourse
| OF nations shonld be regulated have prescrib-
| ed certain rules for the government of every
| state in its recourse to hostile proceedings =
| Nattel, after reprobating the impolicv and
| wIckedness OF pTecipitate resort to arms
| explains what he conceiVe> TO be the iuxI
| causes and only legitimate objects of war 80.
| " The right OF using force or making war
| (accortiing to that author belongs 10 nations
| no tnrtheT than IS necessary 10 their defence
| and the support Of their riehts."s In the sue
ceeding page lie observes that" nation taking
| up arms when IT has received no injury nor is
| threatened with any. makes an unjust war
| That ration 10 which an injury has been done
| or Is preparing 10 be done, has alone n iust
canse tor making war. From the same prnci
| pie we shall likewise infer the lust and lawful
| scope of every war which is tn revenge or pre-
| vent an injury, &c. If the principles here
| laid down be correct, there is not i'm nv esti-
| nation. any cause which could lie assigned to
| Jusify the u ,. IN declaration OF war against
| Spain at this time.-FOr although we have
| already conceded that injuries have been sus
| tanned from that government vet I do aot
| conceive they are of such a nature as was
contemplated by the author alluded TO- nor
| are they of sufficient magnitude TO Teuuire the
intervention OF force for their redress That
| they are not injuries of a character intended
| by Naitel to be included within his remark is
obvious, since ~ cannot be pretended that il
rs IndisPensably necessary 10 our Defence oil
the support OF our rights, that they should bt
revenge0 by the use OF force. And consequent
~ they do not possess the only ingredient which
every injury furnishing inst cause of war
ought according TO his former observation &c
cOHlhin' D es'dOIiSH the correctness OF thu
remark, IL may be important to explain, AZ
clearly as possible, the precise nature Of iha
injury whch we complain OF having received
al the hands Of Spain. This injury, as far as
can comprehend ffom the limited source o.
Information within my reach. appears to con
sist, IS has been already promised, in IN,
Infringement Of treaty contracted IN 100
between Span and the United States an,
farther in the projection ut savages engaged
IN interpretations upon our frontier, by ailordin,
them an asylum within their forts. and that II
| direct cOntTdyeatiOn Of SAID treaty acrordin,
| TO its most obvious interpretation.
Win regard iohcrengaCemenis tor restrain
ing the truptioBs Of the Seminoles il cannn