Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-01-27

"@ hau " hIst principles anu natural rights. Are
we prepared to part with that doctrine? The
doctrine is advanced--it issnpported with an inn
mense force. The timid shrink aud succurnb. If
1t is nOtresistedhere, and in one other spot, it will
be resisted no where. If there is no viguur in
the Saxon race to withstand it, there is none to
be looked for elsewhere. Is it not time to step
forth, Il at least to declare that we condemn and
deny such nonstrous opinions! How can refor-
nation of government ever begin but with the
people? The radical defect of this system 10
that it divides civilization: it would allow it to
go on In all other matters, but not in PRINCIPLES of
government and civil liberty. But human know
ledge Is all comected-that knowledge is fast
soreading-the great mass of society, which
holds, and ever must hold the physical is fast OBJ
tanning the intellectual power of society. The
harmony which has ever prevailed, either in Eu-
rope or America, has rested on the principle of
the mutual independence of nations. There
have, indeed, been some instances of the viola
ton ofthis principle, as in the case of Poland !;
but on the great scale nations have hitherto been
viewed as independent sovereignties civiliza-
ton and christianity have united to establish a.
nong them international law, and from this blen-
dea influence has sprung that delightful specta-
Gle, so firmly described by poet, the unseen but
not unfelt influence oflaw.
And sovereign Leio, the worlds collected will
Ger thrones ami globes elate,
SITS Empress-erowning good, depressing ill:
Smit by her sacred frown
The fiend, Discretion, like a vapour, sinks.
And cen the all-dazzling crown
Hides his faint rays, and at her bidding shrinkso
Take this away, and there is nothing left but
the sword. The law ofnations declares that all
states are equal; these papers denyit. The law
OF nations maintains that in extreme cases resis-
lance rs lawful these papers deny it.--The law
OF nations proclaims that one nation has no right
to interfere in the affairs of another; these papers
deny it.
But now, it may asked, what is all that to us !.
The question is easily answered. We are
one of the nations. Our system of government
is throughout, utterly hostile to that system, and
five are safe from its effects, we may thank our
situation, or ouricourage.-The age we live in
and our, own active character, have connect
ed Us with all the nations of the world and We as
nation, have precisely the same interest in in
ternational law as private individual has in the
laws ofhis country.
But, apart from the soundness of the policy, on
general principles, there is ground of duty on
this matter. What do we not, as people, owe
to the principle of lawful resistancee to the prn
ciple that society shall govern itself? These
principles have raised us to state Of prosperity
In which our course is rapid and irresistible. We
are borne on as by mighty current, and if we
should stop long enough to take an observation,
HAT we may measure our national course, ere we
can effect it, we find we have already moved a
vast distance from the point at which it was COM
menced. This course we cannot check: it is the
course of things, and it will go on. Shall we
not, thus situated, give to others who are strug-
CLING for these very principles, the cheering aid
of our example and opinion?
But, whatever we do in this matter, it behoyes
us to do on principle. If, on the subject of the
rumoured combination against South America,
we take any stand, it must be on principle that
that stand is taken. The near approach, or the
the remote distance of danger, may change poll
cy, but cannot touch principle; and the same
reasons of an abstract kind, that would lead us to
protest IN the case of the whole Southern Cont
nent, bind us to protest in the case of the smallest
republic in Italy.
A second question, however, may here be ask
ed. What can we do? This thunder is at a
distance-the wide Atlantic rolls betyeen-ve
are safe: would you have us go to war Would
you have us send armies into Europe9 No: /
wouldnot. Butthis reasoning mistakes the age
formerly, indeed, there was no making an i'm
preston on a nation but b. bayonets and sub
sidies BY feet; AID armies: but the age has un-
dergoIs charge: there j: "a force in public
Opinion which, N the long run vi outweigh all
the t.Fysic:d force dat can be brodght to oppose
IT. Until Public opinion is subiuctl, the greatest
enemy oftFrany is not yet dead. What is the
SOU the informing spirit of our own institutions
of our entire system Of governments Public
opinion. While this acts with intensity and
moves in the right direction, the country must
ever DC safe-lct us direct the force, the vast
moral force of this engine to the aid of Others
tYt1 III -
Alliance. 1t may be said, that public opinion
did not succeed in Spain. Public opinion was
never thoroughly changed there; but does any
man suppose that Spain is not at this day nearer,
not merely in point of time, but intellectually
and politically, nearer to freedom than she was
last Spring? True, indeed, the Bourbon
power did make an almost unresisted march
from the Pyreuees to Cadiz, but is Europe salts
fed /? Public opinion is not conciiated nor des
troyed-Iike Millions angels, it is vital in every
part--and this followed back the Conuueror as
he returned, and held Europe in indignant 81
lence. Let us then speak let us speak well of
what has done well for us. We shall have the
thinking world all with us--and be it rernem
bsred, it was thinking community that actiey
Cd our revolution before battle had been
fought.
/ shall not detain this Committee by LAYING
before II any statistical, geographical or com
mercial account of Greece. The document on
your table, which has been furnished from the
Department of State, in some measure supplies
these: and her history is familiar to us all
Within the last thirty or forty years, the cond-
ton OF that country has undergone great inn
proyement. Her marine produces the best
sailors in the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. in that
sea, than even our own. Their commerce. be-
fore the present connections had begun to ex-
tend itself to France and Spain-fIobhouse
Tour best authority states fhair searnen nj hftu