Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-21

4. From 1894 TO ls0S, when the constitutional inh- |
bition upon Congress in relation 10 the slave trade
expired, system OF wise, aud, tar as the power
of the Government extended, efficient legislation,
adopted for the suppression of that detestable
traffic. From the latter period to the year 1919
our legislation assumed a wider range, and still
more efficient character, until finally, the offence
was denounced piracy, the punishment due 10 that
crime prescribed, and the Executive clothed with
power and means fully adequate TO the execution
OF the law and the suppression of the trade; far
at least least, our citizens concerned The
measures then adopted, effected the purpose for
which they were designed. They did more. They
eNtorted from England, who, next 10 the United
States, has recently been foremost In the adopted
OF means 10 this end, the unqualified admission, not
only that the United States had been the first, but
also the most successful aborers in the cause OF
humanity.
| Thus matters stood at the period which have
mentioned. Our Government, unfortunately not
content with trcU, must seek for better, and the
! negotiations of which speak were opened. So
too with our affairs with the Spanish American
States; they stand we'll; we have done all they
expected OF Us, and more than they had right TO
ask. What we have done, has reflected credit upon
us, and has been serviceable to them Not con-
tent with this, hurrying on in the usual
course: partial success is leading us TO injurious
! excess. But to return: the President negotiated
treaty with England, yielding, under certain modi-
hcations, the RICH, OF search, and authorizing
| foreign power TO enforce own laws upon our
own citizens. need not state 10 this body the fate
OF that Ill advised project. The treaty was de-
teated by vote of the Senate. a similar one
with the Republic of Colombia shared the same
tate; and, although the vote against the English
treaty was small, rapidly did the sentiment of
| opposition to the principle increase, that the re-
Jecuon OF the latter treaty, at subsequent session
was nearly unanimous. Who is there now on this
tioor that would give his in favor OF similar
measure! But it seems that the light of experience
mas been shed in vain upon this obstinate propen-
sl'y TO Inquire IN the diplomacy necessarily growing
out OF foreign connection. The results of the par
ticular measures now referred to- were, as we all
remember, contention at home, and dissatisfaction
abroad; correspondence with England, of not the
! most friendly character, in which long explana-
tons were made necessary of the character of our
Government, TO satisfy other powers that the Pre-
| Sideht was not responsible for the act of the Sc
nate. Explanations made with great ability
by the then Secretary of State, and subsequently,
enforced with equal ability by the present Secreta-
! Ty. Tue matter was understood here and perhaps
| by the Governments to whom those explanations
were made; but, TO great part of the world. IL
appeared that the zeal of the United States for the
suppression OF the slave trade had abated The bi,b
character we had acquired for our early and uncess
ing labors IN that great cause was not indeed do
stroyed Tor that could not be easily effected I'M,
our motives were exposed to misconstruction and
are now misrePresented by those who do NOT nm
! deTstand the structure of our Government. Sucb
sir' was the consequence of this third attempt 10
ufrehder 'he contro! OF our conduct in the sup
port OF our rights, the discharge OF our duties IN
foreign association such the penalty of disregaJio
the warning voice of Washngton-o never ,b,n
don our own 10 stand on foreign ground - Snc,
are among the least evils that have sooner o I.er
IN greater or less degree, been the consequence Of
political connexions between different nations >,
all times, and IN all places. Permit me 10 refe,
,ne Heha'e 10 transaction of the same characte,
between other States. In 1915, the plenino,en.
iaries from the five great European Power viz
England, prance, Russia, Prussia, and Austria
ai|e Rep means FOR the eecfua
sion OF the slave trade. The settlement of tbo,e
means was deferred to future period. At tbe
conference OF the Plenipo entiaries of the sam,
Powers IN 1918, at AK Ia Chspele an a,temnt r,a.
made to agree upon the means necessary to eIfac
their declared object. Then occurred, ,yha, aI,ay
VIII occur, except IN cases OF great emergency
Ike the recent coalitions among the Po,ve,s NJ
Europe against tina, of Napoleon, when the yer,
existence OF several Of the allied powers was in
volved-the difficulty of agreeing upon the term,
OF Cooperation among nations having different
interests, feelings, prejudices, and views ENGLAND
proposed the extension of the right of search as tn,
only means adap;edto the end. Negotiation wa.
commenced ana continued, until, finally the mea
sure proposed by England was refused. or evaded
. by all the Powers, and the conference JissoIved
leaving the celebrated declaration made al yienn,
uheSeculel, and producing naught but mutual dis
trust and dissatisfaction. Thus shewinp hoe a.a,
II IS Tor nations to unite in the ayowaI of oa,era
princIple-how difficult TO agree upon the mem
OF enforcing 1t. So will it be with us and mn,
South American friends and neighbors. Tho,
may be little difficulty in uniting in avowino as
principle, that these continents are mo LONGER G.
; subjects Tor European colonization, or to pro,es
against Inc interference OF Europe in the affairs
Spanish America. But the moment we proceeJ =,
stipulaie to the means of enforcing il. d;f;cu,
ties will occur that, in all human probability. will
impair the friendly relations now existing betwesr
us lhey viii occur first in the negotiation and
II these are surmounted certainly in the appcat;or
OF the principles established when the time for
application unhappily occurs.
but cannot consent TO trespass lonccr u,on
the time OF the Senate in pushing the dscYssion oI
th'S point ilrther, although various considerations
d''nS against the measure, press upon nv mind
=, II were proposed TO form connection witbany
. european Power, such as now DESIGNED With a.,
Spanish American States it is hoped and bel;e,oJ
that the measure would not meet with ono o,rra
wing voice. snail say on this floor ? No -,
IN tue country But 1t has been supposed ,I.t ~,
Uhlted states ought to pursue clifFerep, poI;c,
WIN respect 10 the States in this henisplere I,
IS true, MIR. Monroe in his message. makes = die.
uhclon OF Tbs character, although he bv no means
carries u 10 the extent proposed 1.-The did, allth
he distinction could derive from that Circumstance
N0ulG ne me weight OF his opinion, always con-
9lueI"Die' Out never decisive. The question still
recrrs is the distinction founded in princinIo snd
policy If it be, it must arise from one of ,,,,o
reasons either the character of the Governr,on,s
OF the Spanish American States ar tbei, Ill -,