Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-20


were situated, at the time, when it was given.
That the reasons assigned by him for his adj
vice were, that. Europe had set Of primary in
terests, which to us had none, or a very remote
relation. That hence she must be engaged in
frequent controversies, the causes OF which
were essentially foreign to our concerns. That
our detached and distant situation invited and
enabled us to pursue different course. That
by our union and rapid growth, with an eff
Gent government the period was not far dis
tant, when we might defy material injury from
external annoyance; when we might take such
an attitude as would cause our neutrality to be
respected, and with reference 10 belligerent ma
tons, might choose peace or war, as our in
terests, guided by justice, should counsel.
Compare our situation and the circumstan-
ces Of that time, with those Of the present day;
and what, from the very words Of Washington,
then, would be his counses to his countrrymen
now? Europe has still her set of primary in.
terests, with which we have little, or remote
relation. Our distant and detached situation
with reference to Europe remains the same.
But, we were then the only independent Ma
ton Of this hemisphere; and we were Surround
ed by European Colonies, with the greater part
Of which We had no more intercourse, than
with the inhabitants of another planet. Those
Colonies have now been transformed into eight
independent Nations, extending TO our very
borders Seven Of them Republics, like our
selves; with whom we have IN immensely
growing commercial and must have, and have
already important political connexions. With
reference to whom our situation is neither dis
tant nor detached. Whose political principles
and ~ al tyif pur
own, must and will have an action and counter
action upon US and ours, to which we cannot
be Indifferent if we would.
The rapidity cf our growth, and the conse
quent increase OF our strength, has more than
realized the anticipations of this admirable pc,
litical legacy. Thirty years have nearly elapsed
since it was written, and in the interval, our
population, our wealth, our territorial extension
our power, physical and moral, has nearly ire
bIed. Reasoning upon this state of things
from the sound and judcous principles of
Washington, and must we not say, that the pc
riod which he predicted as then not far off has
arrived? That america has set Of primary
interests, which have none or aremote relation
10 Europe That the interference Of Europe
therefore in those concerns should be sponta-
neously withheld by her upon the same princi-
pies, thatw have never lnterfered with hers;
and that, il she should interfere, as she may by
measures which may have a great and danger
Gus recoil upon ourselves, we might be called
| in defence of our own affairs and hTesides, to
take an attitude which would cause our neu
| trality 10 be respected, and choose peace or
war, as our interest guided, by justice, shall
counsel.
The acceptance Of this invitation therefore,
! far from conflicting with the counsel or the po
licy Of Washington, is directly deducibe from
and conformable to it; nor is it less conforma.
bic to the views Of my immediate predecessor,
as declared in his annual message to Congress,
of the I'd of December, 1928, to which have
already adverted, and to an important passage
Of which, invite the attention of the House
"The citizens Of the United States" said he,
"cherish sentiments the most friendly in favor
OF the liberty and happiness Of their fellowmen,
on that (the European) side of the Atlantic. In
the wars of the European powers, in matters
relating 10 themselves, we have never taken a
ny part, nor does il comport with our policy
so to do. II is only when our rights are inva-
ded, or seriously menaCed, that we resent IN
iuries, or make preparation for our defence
With the movements in this hemisphere, we
are, Of necessity, more Immediately connected,
and by causes which must be obvious to all
enlightened and impartial observers. The po-
litica system of the Allied Powers, is essen
italy different in this respect from that Of A
merica. This difference proceeds from that
which exists in their respective governments.
And to the defence of our own, which has been
achieved by the loss of so much blood and trea-
sure, and matured by the wisdom of their most
enlightened citizens, and under which we have
enjoyed Nnexampled felicity, this whole nation
| is devoted We owe it, therefore, to candor,
| and to the anicable relations subsisting be-
tween the United States and those Powers, to
declare, that we should consider any attempt on
their part, to extend their system to any por.
ton OF this Hemisphere, as dangerous to our
peace and safety. With the existing colonies
or dependencies of any European Power, we
have not interfered, and shall not interfere
But, with the governments who have declared
their independence and maintained it, and
whose independence we have, on great consid-
Grafton, and OIL just principles, acknowledged,
we could not view any interposition, for the
purposes of expressing them, or controlling in
any other manner their destiny, by any Euro
pean Power in any other light than as the
manifestation of an unfricndly disposition to-
wards the United States. In the war between
those new Governments and Spain, we declared
our neutrality at the time of their recognition;
and 10 this we have adhered, and shall continue
IN edbere nrovidPd no chance shall occur