Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-16
CHE Constitutional gylhta.
Ms. WEBsrER,s spEECu-co.c,,nnn


must now ask the indulgence OF the Committee IN
an important point in the discussion mean the decIa
ration OF the President in 1928 Not only rs n mem
Der oithe House. but as citizen of the country have
an ANXIOUS desire that this part of public story
should stand IN lis proper light. Sir my Judgment
Tie country has very high honor connected with thar
occurrence, which may maintain or which we NAV
sacrifice look upon IT. as part of the treasures of
reputation; and, for one, intend TO guard il.
Sir' let us rccur TO the important political events
which led to that declaration accompanied it, In the
tall OF 1897 the allied sovereigos held their Congress
iat verona The great subject OF consideration was
The condition of Spain, that country then being under
the government of the'Cortes. The question was
whether Ferdinand should he reinstaed i'm all his autIo
r ey the intervention OF foreign force Russia Prus-
sa rance. and Austria nclined TO that measure.
England dIssented and protested; but the course was
agreed on, and France with the consent of these other
continental powers, took the conduct of the operation
inlo her own hands. In the spring OF 1928 French
army was sent into Spain It's SUCCESS was comploo
Inc popular government overthrovn, and Ferdi-
nand established in all his power This invasion cir
was determined on. and undertaken precisely on the
doctrines which the allied monarcs had rroclaiped tho
year before at Laybach and that is they had rcbt
10 interfere IN the concerns another state and reform
ITS government in order prevent the effects of This
DAD example; tins bad example, be it remembered all
ways being the example offree government Now eir
acunS on ths principle of supprcssing dangerous exam
pie and having put down the example of the Cortes of
SPAIN II was natural 10 inquire with what ewes they
would look on the colonies of Spain. that were follow
ing still worse examples. Would King Ferdinand and
ms alies be content with what had been done in SpaIn
ITSELF or would he solicit their aid and was n -aIr
they would grant il, 10 subdue hl rebellious American
/ Provinces?
Sir 1t was in this posture Of afaira on an occasion
which has already been alluded to- that yentured 10
say early in the session of December 1923 that these
allied 'nenarchs might possibly turn their attention To
america; that America came within their avowed doc
'fne and that her example might very possibly attract
their notice. The doctrines of Laybach were not lin
'ted 10 any CONTINENT Spain had colonies i'm America
and having reformed Spain herself TO the true standard
was not impossible they might see fit to conplete the
WORK by reconcling thu way, the colonies 70 the
hother country Now, sir. il did so happen that as
soon rs the Spanish King was completely re-cs,ahlsb
cd. he did invite the operation of his allies in re-
gard To south America. In the same month of Dncem
Der OF 1925, formal invitation was addressed bv Soain
TO the courts of ST. Petersburgh Vienna Berlin and
Paris, proposing to establish conference in paris in
ofder that the PlenlpotenarieS, there assembled niit
AID Spain III adjusting the affairs of her reyoted nryin
ceS. These affairs were proposed TO be adIsted in
such manner as should retain the soyereipntv Of
SPAN over them; and though the operation OF the
allies, by force of arms, directly soliced-such
was the object evidently aimed at
Inc iNtng of Spain, in making this request TO he
members OF the Holy Alliance, argued as il had been
seen he might argue. lie quoted their doctrines of
Lay BACH and he pointed out the pernicous example OF
America; and he reminded them that their success in
SPAN Itself, had paved the way successful opera
TONS against the spirit of liberty this side of the AE
| lantic "a
Tho proposed meeting however, did not take place
England had already taken decided course: for no
early as October, Mr. Canning in n conference with
the French minister in London informed him distinc,I,
and expressly that England would consider anv freirn
interference by force, or By menace, the disputes be-
tween Spain and tho colonies as motive for
the latter without delay.
1t Is probable this determination OF the Enrlisb c-o
VeTnnent was known here at tie commencement of the
session OF Congress: and it was under these circum
Stances 1t was IN this crisis that Mr. nonroe,s decIa
ration was made. II then ascertaDed whether
meeting of the Allies would or woud mt tal-o I,o
10 concert with Spain the of her
power; but 1t was plain enough they would he messed
ny SPAN to aid her operations and vas plain enough
also that they had particular liking TO what was ia
King place on this side the Atlantic nor any great Jsn
chnailon to interfere. This the posture of affairs
ana, SIR concur entirely in the sentiment EXPRESSED
III the resolution. of gentleman from PENNSYLVANIA
Mr. Markedly that this declaration of Mr. Monroe
wise, seasonable and patriotic.
1T has been said, the OF this debate 10 have
hesn loose and vague declaration. II was believe
sufficiently studied have understood from good am
'borty ~ II was considered weighed and distinctly
and decidedly approved by every one fbe Presidents
advisers, ut that time. Our Government could mt n
dept on that OCCASION precisely the course which Fp
! land bad taken. England threatened the immediate
recognition OF the Provinces, if the Allies should take
part with Spain against them. We had already recon-
! ~
ernnent to say how we should consider combination Of
the Allied Powers. TO effect objects i'm America az af
fectnS ourselves and the message was intended to
what Ii does say that we should regard such conbi
nation as dangerous TO Sir agree with those who
MAINTAIN the proposition. and contend against those
who deny It, that the message did mean sonetino tbt
Itmeant muc aud maintain against both that The de-
ciaraon erected much good, answered the end DESIGN
cd by IT. Did great honor TO the foresight and the pr,
OF the government, and chat il cannot be taken bscl
retraced, or annui'ed, without Disgrace II met sir
WITH the entire concurrence, and the hearty approba
ton Of the country The tone which it uttered found
corresponding response in the breasts Of the free pe
pie oi The United States Tie people saw and thcv re
Ioced 70 Sec that, Oh Ct OCCASION our weight ba5
been thrown into the right scale, and that without Dr.
parting ron our duy, we had done something rsef,I
and something eEectual Tor the cause Of civil Gbert
One general glow Of eyUlfation-rrle unjverssl r,f;
OF the grathed love oflbevtvone conscious and roui
perception OF the consideration which the covntrv nos,
sesse Of the respect AID honor which BELONGED n
Pcrvaded ali boso'ns Possibly the public cu,busiasn
went too FER j. certainly did go far Bu. sir tho sen
tments which thIs declaration inspired was no, confned
TO ourselves lis force was felt every where bv all those
who could understand it's object, and forsee lis effect In
. flat JI,.f,co nj of, Il