Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-21

ID.
Nations. is, in extending our commercial relations
TO have with them little political connection as
possible and faithfully adhering to the spiri, of
that admoniton, cannot overlook the reflection,
that the counsel of Washington, ia this instance
like all the counseis of wisdom, was founded upon
the circumstances, in which our country and the
world around US were situated, at the time, when
1t was given That the reasons assigned by him
for his advice were, that Europe had set OF pr-
mary Interests, which TO had none, or a very
remote relation. That hence she must be engage
ed IN frequent controversies, the causes of which
were essentially foreign 10 our concerns. That
our detached aud distant situation invited and en-
abled US to pursue different course. That by our
union and rapid growth, with am efficient govern
ment, the period was not far distant, when we
might defy material injury from external annoy
ance when we might take such an attitude as
would cause our neutrality to be respected and
with reference 10 beligerent nations, might choose
peace or war, as OR interests, guided by justice,
should counsel
Compare our situations and the circumstance of
that time, with those of the present day and
what, from the very words of Washington, then,
would be his counsels TO his countr ymen now
Europe has still her set of primary interests, 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 Nation of this hemisphere :;
and we were surrounded by European colonies,
with the greater part Of which we had no more in
'ercourse, than with the inhabitants of another
pla'et. Those colonies have now been transform
ed into eight Independent Nations, extending 10
our very borders. Seven of them Republics, like
ourselves with whom we have an immensely
growing commercial, and must have, and have
already important political connexions. With
reference TO whom our situation is neither distant
nor detached Whose political principles and
systems OF government, congenal with our own,
mnst and will have an action and counteraction
upon US and ours, TO which we cannot be indifTe-
rent If we would.
The rapidly of our growth, and the consequent
increase OF our strength, has more than realized
lie anticipa,ions OF this admirable political legacy.
thirty years have nearly elapsed since it was
written, and in the interval, our population, our
wealth, Our territorial extension, our power, phi
steal s moral. has nearly trebled. Reasoning upon
this state FITTINGS from the sound S udicious prin-
ciples OF Washington, and must we not saw. that
the period which he predicted as then rot afar
of has arrived That -GDseyica has a set of pri-
mary interests, which have none or remote re-
iaion TO Europe. That the interference of Europe
therefore in those concerns should be spontane-
ously withheld by her upon the same principles
that we have never interieIed with hers and that,
II she should interfere, as she may by measures
which may have great and dangerous recoil up
on ourselves, we nigh, be called in defence of our
own affairs and fresides, to take an attitude which
would cause our neutrality to be respected, and
choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by
justice, shall counsel.
The acceptance of this invitation therefore, far
IRON conflicting with the counsel or the policy of
w ashinSton. is directly deducble from and con-
formable TO 1t; nor is it less conformable 10 the
views, OF my immediate predecessor as declared in
MS annual message to Congress, OF the I'd of De-
cemoer, 1923, TO which have already adverted,
and to an important passage OF which, invite the
attention OF the House. &c The citizens of the Uni
ted 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 pow :
ers, IN matters relating to themselves, we Lave
never taken any part, nor does it compor with our
Pohcy soto do. II is only when our rights are in
vaoed, or seriously menaced, that we resent iniu-
rIes, or make preparation for our defence With
the movements in this hemisphere, we are, of ne
cessity, more Immediately connected. and by
causes which must be obvious to all enleh,e ned
and impartial observers. The political system of
the Allied lowers 10 essentially different in this
respect from that Of America. 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 treasure, and matured by the wisdom of
their most enlightened citizens, and under which
we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole
nation Is devoted We owe it, therefore, to can
dor and TO the am!cable relations subsisting betwee
the United States and those Powers, 10 declare.
tina; we should consider aAy attempt on their mar,
10 extend their system to any portion of their
hemisphere, as dangerous TO our peace and safety
WIN the existing colonies or dependencies of anv
European Power, we have not interfered md shall
not interfere. But with the governments who
have declared their Independence and maintained
II, and whose independence we have, on great
consideration, and on just principles Acknowledged
we could rot view any interposiion, for the pur-
poses OF expressing them, or controlling in anv
other manner their destiny, by any European
rover, IN any other light than the manifestation
OF an unlriendly disposition towards the United
States. In the war between those new Govern
ments and Spain, we declared our neutrality Mt the
time OF our recognition; and to this we have
adhered, and shall continue to adhere, provided
no change shall occur, which, in the Judgment of
the competent authorities of this Government shall
make corresponding change on the part OF the
U. States indispensable to their secur,y''
To the question which may be asked, whether
| this meeting and the principles which NAV he adj
]usted and settled by 1t rules of intercourse be-
ween the American Nations, may not give UNI
bragg to the Holy League of European Powers,
or offence TO Spain, il is deemed sufficient an
swer, that our attendance at Panama can give no
Just cause OF umbrage or offence to either and
that the United States will stipulale nothing there
which can give such cause. Here the right of
inquiry into our purposes and measures must stop
The Holy League of Europe itself was formed
without inquiring of the United States whether i,
would or would not give unbrage to them. The
tear OF giving umbrage TO the Holy League of Eu-
rope was urged motive for denying TO the
American nations the acknowledgment of their
independence. That it would be viewed by Spain
as hostility to her, was not only urged but directly
declared by herself The Congress and Admins