The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-03-29

be specified with the precision of judicial sentence
or enumerated with the exactness of mathematical
demonstration. The purpose of the meeting ITSELF
TO deliberate upon the great and common interests of
several new and neighbourng nations If the meas
ure Is new, and without precedent is the situation
ofthe parties to it, That the purposes of the meeting
are somewhat indefinite, far from being an objection
to it, is among the cogent reasons for its adoption II
is not the establishment of principles of intercourse
with one, but with seven eight nations at once
mat, before they have had the means of exchanging
IDEAS, and OF communicating with one another, in
common, upon these topics, they should have deni-
lively settled and arranged them in concert is to re-
qure that the effect should precede the cause it is
to exact, preliminary to the meeting that for the
accomplishment of which the meeting itself is design
ed.
Among the inquiries which thought entitled
to consideration, before the determination was taken
to accept the invitation, was that whether the meas
ure might not have tendency to change the policy
hitherto invariably pursued by the United States Of
avoiding all entanglng alliances, and all unnecessary
foreign connexions.
Mindful of the advice given by the father of our
country IN his farewell address, that the great rule of
conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in ex-
tending our commercial relations, to have with them
as little political connection possible and faithful
ly adherlng to the spirit Of that admonton | cannot
overlook the reflection that the counsel of Washing
ton, IN this instance, like all the counses of wisdom
was founded upon the circumstances in which our
country, and the world around us, situated at
the time when it given. That the reasons as
signed by him for his advice were, that Europe had
set OF primary interests, which TO us had none or
very remote relation. That hence she must be en-
gagged in frequent controversies, the causes of which
were essentially foreign TO concerns. That our
detached and distant situation invited and enabled
us to pursue different course. That by our union
and rapid growth with an efficient Governments the
period was not far distant when we might defy mate
rial injury from external annoyance when we might
take such attitude rVall amy
to be respected and with reference to belligerent
nations, might choose peace or war, as our interest
guided by justice, should counsel
Compare our situation and the circumstances of
that time with those of the present day, and what
from the very words of Washington then, would be
his counses to his countrymen now? Europe has
still her set OF primary interests, with which have
little remote relation. Our distant and detached
situation, with reference to Europe, remains the
same. But we then the only independent ma
ton of this hemisphere and we were surrounded by
European colonies, with the greater part of which
we had no more intercourse than with the inhabitants
of another planet. Those colonies have now been
transformed into eight independent nations, extend
ing to very borders seven of them Republics
like ourselves; with whom have an immensely
growing commercial, and must have, and have al
ready, important political connexions with reference
to Whom our situation neither distant nor detach-
ed; whose political principles and systems of gov
eminent, congenial with our own, must and will
have an action and counteraction upon us and ours
to which we cannot be Indifferent if we would. The
rapidy OF our growth, and the consequent increase
of our strength, has than realized the anticipa-
tons of this admirable potcallegac Thirty years
have nearly elapsed since it was written and in the
interval, population, our wealth, our territorial
extension, our power, physical and moral, has nearly
trebled. Reasoning upon this state of things from
the sound and judiciOus principles OF Washington,
and must we not say, that the period which he pre-
diced then not far off, has arrived? That Amer
aca has set of primary interests, which have none.
or remote. relation to Europe. That the interfer-
Of Europe, therefore, in those concerns should
be spontaneously withheld by her upon the same
principle that we have never nterered with hers
and that if she should interfere, as she may by
measures which may have great and dangerous re-
coil upon ourselves, might be called in defence of
affairs and resides, to take attitude which
would cause our neutrality to be respected, and
choose peace war, interest, guided by JUS
tice, shall counsel
The acceptance of this Invitation, therefore, far
from conflicting with the counsel or the policy of Wash
ngton, is directly deducible from, and conformable
to it. Nor is it less conformable to the views of my
immediate predecessor, as declared in his annual
message to Congress, of the Cd of December, 1928
to which | have already adverted, and to an mpor-
tant passage of which | invite the attention of the
House." The citizens of the United States,' said
he, " cherish sentiments the most friendly in favour
OF the liberty and happiness of their ellow-men on
that the European) side of the Atlantic In the
wars of the European powers, in matters relating to
themselves, we have never taken any part, does
it comport within policy to do. 1t is only when
our rights are invaded, seriously menaced, that
resent injuries, make preparation for defence
With the movements in this hemisphere, are, of
necessity Immediately connected, and by caus-
es which must be obvious to all enlightened and i'm
partial Observers The political system of the Allied
Powers 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 much blood and treasure, and matured
by the wisdom of their most enlightened citizens aud
under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity,
this whole nation is devoted. We owe it, therefore,
to candour, and to the amcable relations subsistng
between the United States and those powers to de-
clare, that should consider any attempt on their
part to extend their system to any portion of this
hemisphere, as dangerous to peace and safety
With the existing colonies dependencies of any
European power we have not interfered, and shall
not interfere. But with the Governments who have
declared their independence, and maintained it, and
whose independence we have, on great consideration,
| and on just principles acknowledged, could not
view any nterposition for the purpose of depressing
them, controlling in any other their des-
tiny, by any European power, in any other light than
as a manifestation of unfriendly disposition to-
wards the United States. In the war between those
new Governments and Spain, declared neu-
trality at the time of recognition, and to this
have adhered and shall continue to adhere, provided