The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-03-30

lit may be said calainitous experience
OF more than forty years, has demonstrated
The deep Importance of these same princi-
Piles To the peace aud prosperity of this ma
uon, and TO the welfare of all Maritime
States, and has illustrated the profound
wisdom with which they were assumed as
cardinal points of the policy of the Union
AT that time, in the infancy of their po-
Iltlcal existence, under the influence OF
those principles of liberty and of right, so
congenial to the cause in which they had
just fought and triumphed, they were able
but to obtain the sanction of one great and
philosophical, though absolute sovereign OF
Europe, to their liberal and enlightened
principles. They could obtain no more.
Since then, political hurricane has gone
over three fourths of the civilized portions
of the earth; the desolation of which, il
may with confidence be expected, is pass.
ing away, leaving at least the American
atmosphere purified and refreshed. And
now, at this propitious moment, the new
born nations of this hemisphere, assem-
bling, by their Representatives, at the
lsthmus, between its two Continents, to
settle the principles OF their future inter-
national intercourse with other nat;ons,an
with us:--ask in this great exigency, for
our advice, upon those very fundamental
maxins, which we, from our cradle, had
first proclaimed, and partially succeeded
to introduce into the code of National
Law.
Without recurring TO that total prostra-
ton of all neutral and commercial rights,
which marked the progress of the late Eu-
ropean Wars, and which finally involved
the United States in them; and, adverting
only TO our political relations with these
American nations, il is observable, that,
while, in all other respects, those relations
have been uniformly, and without cXcep-
lion, oi the most friendly and mutually sat
istactory character; The only causes of dif-
ference and disscntion between as and
them, which ever have arisen, originated
in those neyer-failing fountains of discord
and irritation d;scriminations of CONNER
cial favor towards other nations, lcentious |
prlyateers, aud paper blockades. ! cannot,
without doing injustice TO the Republics |
of Bucnos Ayfes and Colombia, forbear to |
acknowledge thc candid and conciatory |
spirit, with which they have repeatedly |
yielded to our friendly representations and |
remonstrances on these subjects. In re-
peailng discrminative laws, which opera |
led TO our disadvantage, and in revoking |
the commissions Of their priyateers--to !
which Colombia has added the magfaniml- |
y OF making reparation for unlawful cap
tures by some OF her cruisers, ard Of US |
sentln,, in the midst Of War, to Treaty |
stpulatlons, favorable to neutral naviga- |
non. But the recurrence OF these oCca-
slons Of complaint has rendered the re- (
newal of the discussions which result in |
the removal of them necessary, while, in |
the mean time, injuries arc sustained by
merchants and other individuals offhe u |
nited States, which cannot be repaired, and |
the remedy fingers IN oveItaking the per-
nicious operation of the mischief The
settlement Of general principles, pervading
with equal efficacy all the American States,
can alone put an end TO these evils, and
can alone be accomplished at the proposed
Assembly.
If 1t be true that the nobest treaty ef
peace ever mentioned in history, is that by
which the Carthagenians were bound TO
abolish the practice of sacrificing their own
because Il iraS stipulated in jduor
|
myself the uniadng glory with which these
United States will 20 forth in the memory
Of future ages, if, by their friendly counsel,
by their moral influence, by the power of
argument and persuasion, alone, they can
prevail upon the American Nations at Pa
mama, to stipulate, by general agreement
lmong themselves, and so far as any of
hem may be concerned, the perpetual a.
,olItlon Of private war upon the ocean.
And if we cannot yet latter ourselves that
hIs may be accomplished, az advances to-
wards il, the establishment of the principle
hat the friendly flag shall cover the car
20, the curlailment of contraband Of war,
md the prescription of fictitious puper
'lockades, engagements which, we may
easonably hope, will not prove iupracticn-
lie, will, If successfully inculcatcd, rebound
,roportionably to our honor, and drain the
ountain of many future war.
The late President of the United States.
n his message to Congress, of the I'd of
December, 1893, while announcing the
negotiation then pending with Russia, re-
ating TO the North. West Coast OF this
continent, observed that the occasion of
he discussions, TO which that incident had
,iven rise, had been taken, "ior asserting
is principle, in which the rights and IN
erests of the United States were involved,
hat the American continents, by the free
md independent condition which they had
lssumed and maintained, were thencefor-
ward not to be considered ns subjects for
'uture colonization by any European pow
er." The principle had.6rst been assumed
N that negotiation with RUSSIA. ltrested
Ipon course Of reasoning equally simple
md conclusive. With the exception Of
n I