Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-30

The last general class Of subjects to be dis
rpssed and treated at Panama, are the dlrect
;n,erests between the United States and the
rev Republics: unquestionably, as far as we
are concerned, the most important oraneh OF
the negotiations. With several OF these pow
ers we have no treaty whatever. With Mexl-
co-as appears from the correspondence be-
,wsen the Secretary of State and Mr. Poinsett
we have been unable, as yet, to form treaty
ON satisfactory conditions: and the obstacles
which have hitherto prevented this from being
done. are precisely such as are most likely to
be removed at conference OF Ministers OF all
the new States AT such conference, we shall,
OF course, possess the best opportunity OF es-
tablishing uniform and liberal relations with all.
THE arrangements to be made with them COM
prehend the great principles OF belliSerent,
neutral, and commercial law, as set forth In
the general Instructions 10 Mr.. Anderson, by
the then Secretary oil State The United States
have long been laboring to introduce into every
branch OF public law principles OF Eberaiity,
equality, and humanity, hitherto unknown In
IT'S codes. The various respects in which our
policy, in many leading points OF the laws Oh
war and trade, differs from that oil Europe, are
well known 10 The House, and need not here
he stated. The Republic OF Colombia, IN IN
vitina our attendance at the Congress, has ask
ed for herself and her sister Republics, the
bepe6, of our experience in The great school Of
international politics. To refuse our attend.
ance at the Congress, when urged on this
ground would be to neglect TO seize, perhaps,
The fairest opportunity which the history OF the
world ever afforded, Of giving wide and
nrorpt diffusion to liberal doctrines OF public
law. IL would certainly put ii out of our pow
or 10 complain Of any policy these States might
adopt, however unfriendly toward our interests
and however vicious in principle.
Such are the views OF the committee with re-
snect to the several classes OF subjects, which
will be discussed at this Congress. tits very
obvious reflection, that our attendance may have
powerful cfSct in giving character to the
Assembly itself Our presence is particularly
requested by one Of the new States, who have
Joined in he invitation, on the ground OF "the
Importance and responsibility" which would
thence attach TO the Congress. he commit
tee do not foresee the possibility that, under
anv circumstances, the Congress could become
an announcement or dangerous assembly. But,
if il be thought by any ore, that evil conse'
ouences are likely TO flow from ill., the prospect
of such consequences would furnish new rea-
sons why We should be represented at it
ency of such meeting, in itself, il would seem
that there could be but opinion US to the
duty of our attendance at the Congrts s.,to COR
rect the pernicious tendency which It may be
feared 10 have To negleCt to attend the Con
press. because il was a combination OF a~
Friendly aspect, would be TO neglect lhe ordina-
nv preparations Of defence, precisely because
there was danger Of war Viewing The Con
Dress at Panama in this untayorable light, (!or
which, however, the committee aPprehend there
i no reas on no administration of the Execu-
tive Government would stand justified TO the
country, without taking measures most prompt |
" to be informed of its proceedings II not
invited TO send authorised and accredited Mi
nis,ers, 1t would have been their duty 10 send
private political agents.
The Committee have felt it their duty to con-
slider this question, chiefly on strict grounds OF
political expediency, ard in reference TO the
principle Of our diplomatic intercourse They
however accord in sentiment with the President,
that sufficient inducement TO accept the in'l-
ta,ion would have been, "to meet IN the spirit
"ofkindness and friendship, an overture made IN
SHAT spirit by three sister Republics OF this he
"misphere - II will not escape the considera-
ton of the House, that the conduct oil the Unit
ed States, towards the new Republics, has ever
been regulated BY the maxims OF frank and
liberal policy. Had we acted towards them,
even as we have felt it our dsty to act toward
Europe. our course would have been essentially
different Had our feelings towards them been
the same as those which our Pclitica. fathers
have inculcated toward Europe, we should
certainly have regarded it rather as all evil than
benefit, that so many new Republics, which
the greater part must be powerful States, are
rising into existence on the same side OF the
water as ourselves We are hencetorward to
be without that which has formerly been regard
ed as the great bulwark OF our national securi- (.
. ty, our geographical distance from every other
powerful STATE But we have nor hestated to
break down this bulwark. We have gone TO
meet and welcome the new Republics. We
have ourselves assisted to exchange weak Colo
NAL for powerful sovereign neighbors. As far
as it depended on us, we have chosen 10 place
the regions, on our immense southwestern from
tier, beneath the government OF vigorous re-
publican institutions, instead Of having lhsm
under the safe and enervating despotism of
Spain In the Judgment Of the Committee, this
has been sound, great, an suspicious policy
1t was not rashIy adopted; ii was long delibe-
rated, well weighed, and at length received its
sanction in the unanimous voice Of this House,
and the acclamations Of the People. From this