Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-24
the course of events, those Islands might become the
theatre well the conservation of our commercial
and navigating interests.
All which is respectfully submitted.
H. CLAY.
Department Of State l4m ylfarch 1896.

II. CLAY.
Department Of State, l4Ht yuarct, 1896.
The Presidents message on the Panama question has
really left those who oppose that measure no ground to
stand on 1t SO full and explicit and takes such
oroaa ara sweeping range of the subject; explains the
necessity the policy, and the justice oftha mission III
hSht so clear and convncing-that we can almost
imagine that we see the members who opposed this
measure biting their lips with vcxaton. This message
ot itself proof Of the value of our free republican
institutions The people know not uniy what their go
verncnt have done but what they nteIyl doing. The
proceedings OF the cabinet placed before the pco-
pie and all Invitation is given with al; the confidence
manner in which the public affairs are atmins cred.
Inc following Is one OF the documents accompany
ing the PRESIDENTS message Ii is interesting pa
per, and viii, have no doubt receive An attentive
perusai: fIab .},nerican
Copy OF letter from M7 Clay 20 Mr.. Middleton,
communicated by the President onibe United States
10 tne tiouse OF Representatives, with his Message,
on Friday, 18th inst.
.Hr. Cay 10 Tr .Eidcio,a, oatci 9th NM, 1875
SIRE directed by the Prcsi,cn, to iustruc, you to
cnueavour to the Russian contribute
ITS best "Ner"uS towards ing the existing
between Spain and her Colonies
Among the interests which, at this perioi slluuld most
command the the nations of the old
and new world is believed claim so para
that Of tho present X has existed in great
or less extent, yeas Its stages were
marked by the most shocking and, throughout,
has been attended by almost waste OF blood
ana treasure. During whole
have passed. away, withont living its close, whilst
others have succeeded hcn growing up from infIncy 20
majority. without tasting the blessings peace. The
conclusion of that whatever and whenever may be-
must have great effect Europe md America. Rus
STA Is so situated that whilst she will he directly af
eeed an other parts of Christeuou, her weight
councils must have controlling influence on its useless
protrnc'ion its happy termination II this peculiar a,,i-
ie her mpartality it draws grea, RESPONSE
bty IN the decision which she may feel it proper make
The re6omnance Of the power of Emperor is every
America, AS nj 4, -
with perfect knowledge of its extent and the pro-
ounles respect for the wisdom and the justice of the a-
gust parsonage who Yields IT, that his enlightened and h-
name councils invoked.
In considering that war; in considering all others we
should look back upon the deliberately survey its
sent condition, and encavor, if possible, view
of what to With respect tile first branch of the
subject ii is, perhaps of the least practical Importance
No statesman can have contemplated the colonial relations
of Europe and continental America, without oresecinc
mat the ume must come when they would That
Time might have been retarded accelerated b, come IL
aust in the great march Of human An a:,c.; Of
me bfitish Parliament to tax, without their consent the
former British colonies these United States produced
the of Rcvoution and led the establishment of
that Independence and freedom which now so Justly
prize Moderation and tObearaEcc, the part Of Great
bai, might have poSpc ned, but could p!eye;l-
ed, ultimate separation. The aemp: Of n
snbvcri the ancient dynasty of SPAIN and place on its
throne member Of his family, no doubt faseupd the
independence OF the Spanish colonies. II he had NOT been
urged by his ambition 10 the conquest OF the Peninsula
those co"nies' for long time TO might have connu-
Ell quietly 10 submit 10 the parental sway. But they must
nave inevitably thrown it off later We NAV inn
aglne that vast continent, unnhabi;ed, tnv peopled
by savage and untutured race, may be Governed hv
remote Country blessed with the lights and possessed of the
power of civilization hat il absurd to suppose that .he
same continent III eX!en. twenty times greater than that Of
the parent country and doubling ii in popua,ion eraIiv
civilized, should not be able, when chooses 10 make the
effort cast off the distant autho.y. When the epoch
of separation between parent State and its colony from
whatever cause, arrives the struggle for segovernmeut
on the one hand, aud for the power On the
other produces mutual evaporation, leads TO a most
emDltteFed and fetocous wal II is then that becomes
the duty Of third powers interpose their humane Offices
and calm the PASSIONS and enghen the councils of the
parties Aud the necessity OF their efforts greatest with
the parent country whose pride, and whose wealth md
power swelled by the colonial contributions, create the
most repuGnance Ia severance which
has been ordained by Providence.
In the war which has long been raging hciwee Spain
aud her colonies, the United States have taken no
either to produce or TO restrain it, They have been ;rac
tive and neutral spectators OF the passmgscenes Their
fahNnesS orods however, that they should say that they
nave beheld those with feelings OF
They have on the contrary, anxousiy desired that other
parts of this continent should acquire aad enjoy that In
dependence with which, ty the valour the patriotism
OF the founders of their liberty, they have been under ,
smiles of Heaven, greatly blessed.
bnt IN the indulgence of this sympathetic feeling they
nave "'' Tor one momen been unmndiu Of the duties of
That neutrality which they had deliberately announced-
Aud the beet proof Of the ideiity with which they ba 20
strictly fulfilled ts 0bigateus is furnished in the fact that
during the progress of the war, they have been unu v
accused by both parties, of violating their declared men,
trainy b." it is OF little consequence tn etrac. tho
Causes remote proximate, of the revolt of tin, S,ar;s,
c""ncs The great and much important considcra
ti"n which will no doubt the attention of his Jnnc
rial Majesty, is the present of the contest The min
epes which produced the war, those which NAV he ~
corporated IN the institutions OF the states may divide
the opinions Of mcn Principles unhappilv are too often
Tie subject Of controversy But notorious facts are
estible They speak Language which enccs all spccu
aton and should determine the judgment and the condct
OF States, whatever may be the school in which their rulers
are brought up pracsed, and whatever the social forms
which they would desire 10 established And is To
the choice of such facts that Europe and America are n
called upon, patiently to listen.
And III contemplating the present state of the war what
are the circumstances which forcbly strike every re-
fectng observer? Throughout both continents from the
western limits Off United States Cape Horn the Span
ISL power bdued. The decisive victory of Ava
chuco has anniaied the last remains oEthe Spanish force
Not foot OF territory. in all that vast extent owns t
dominion not hayonei sustains tie of SPAIN The
war; IN TRUTH has ended II has been a war between ,
contracted corner Of Europe and entire onipeu bc
tween ten millions people midst their own exiraorda
- c"nYuisions, fighting, distance across an ocean f
three thousand miles in extent, against twenty ,piIoe
coniendins at home, for their lives their liberty and %
Poperty HenceforwaTd, il viii present only the naee Of
war between an exhausted dwarf, struggling for povc