The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-03-30
.poLUuE Is.

( 'scS's'hthe, sat nothing can be transao~
ted there obligatory upon any one of 'tho
states TO be represented ut the meeting.
unless with the express concurrence Of its
own Representatives, nor eyenthen, but
subject to the ratification of it's constitu-
tlonal authority at home. The faith of the
u. States to foreign Powers, cannot other
wise be pledged. | shall, indeed, in tho
first place, consider the Assembly as mere
ly coasiftaf,re and although the Plcnipo-
tcntiaries of the u. States viii be ompow-
cred 10 receive and refer to the conside-
ration OF their government amy proposition
from the other parties TO the meeting, they
will be authorized 70 conclude noihing un-
less subject to the dainitiyc sanction Of
this government in all IT, constitutional
forms. II has, thereiore, oc&nicd to me
unnecessary TO insist uho< ~ N object to-
be discussed ut the meeting oNould be-
specified with the prccision of \ judicial
sentence, or enumerated with tho exact-
ness oi Mathematical demoi1Etration.
The purpose OF the meeting itsclf, ii ~ de-
lberatc upon tho groat and conmon {nier-
esfs ofscvcral new and ncighbonng nations.
IL the measure is new, and without pfQco-
dent so is the situation of the partics " lt.
That tho purposes of the meeting are sosIle-
what indefinite, far from being an Objection
TO IL Is among the cogent reasons ior iesT
adoption. II is not the establishment OF
principles of intercourse with one, but with
seven or eight nations at once. That, be-e
fore they have had the means Of exchange
ing ideas, and Of communicating with ono
another, in common, upon these topics, they
should have definitively settled and arrang-
cd them in concert, is to require that tho
effect should precede the cause. II is tn
exact as preliminary to the meeting, that
for the accomplishment of which the mect-
ing itself is designed.
Among the inquiries which were thought
entitled TO consideration, before the deter-
mnation was taken to acceptth the invitation,
was, that whether the measure might not
have tendency to change the policy hith-
crto invariably pursued by the United
States, of avoiding all entanglng alliances,
and all unnecessary foreign connections.
Mindful of the advice given by the father
ofour country in his farewell address, that
the great rule of conduct for US in regard tn
foreign nations, is, IN extending our COM
mercial relations, to have with them as lttlo
political connection az possible, and faith
fully adhcring 10 the spirit of that admoni-
ton, ] cannot overlook the reflection, that
tho counsel ofWashington, OF in this instance.
like oil the counses OF wisdom, was found
ed upon tho circumstances in which our
country, aud the world around us, were si-
tuated, at the time when II was given. That
the reasons assigned by him for his advice
were, that Europe had set of primary in-
forests, which to us had none, or u very re-
mote relation. That hence she must he
engaged in frequc.t controversies, the eau.
ses of which were essentially foreign TO our
concerns. That our detached and distane
situation invited and enabled US to pursue a
different course. That by our union and
rapid growth, with al efficient government.
the period was not far distant when wc
might defy material injury from external
when we might take such an
attitude as would cause our neutrality to b0
respected; and, with reference to beilige-
rent nations, might choose peace or war;
ls our interest, guided by justice, should
counsel.
Compare our situation and the ciroum-
stances ofthat time with those Of the pres
INT day, and what, from the very words of
Washington then, would be his counscls to-
lis countrymen now? Europe has still her
get of primary interests, with which wa
nave little or a remote relation. Our dis
ant and detached situation with reference
% Europe, remains the same. Bot wc
we're then the only Independent nption OF
his hemisphere, and wo were surrounded
,y European colonies, with the greater
,art OF which rad no more intercoursa
ban with thc ,i,h ti:ants OF another planet.
These CO. a, hav, NOW boon Transformed
nto rde sender 'qtions, extending
q "a y, ~dcrs. Sc, { them Re-
Jub. selves; with /, 20 harc
! INN. ,glygr. pgccnmercI~ '~s
nave, Ond have already, IN, Nrtant ,.
,onne Hions. With rcference ON, QUE
IS neither distant nor detached.
V'aosc political principles and systems OF
congcnial with our Own, must
a Al will have an action and eountersction
dpon us snl ours, 90 which we cannot bo
indifferent if we would. The rapidity oG
our growth, ard the consequent increase
ofour strength, has more than realize tho
anticipations Of this admirable political log-
acy. Thirty years have nearly Elapsed
since il was written, an6 in the interval, our
population, our wealth, our territorial exten-
sion, our power, physical and moral, has
nearly tIebled. Reasoning upon this state
Of things from the sound and jndicious
principles Of Washington, and must we not
say, that the period which he predicted as
then not far off, has arrived? that .fmerico
has set Of primary interests, which haze
none or remote, relation to Europe. That
the interference of Europe, therefore, in
those concerns, should be spontaneously
l.. L. ,.r... 81, ....o ,s,.o.ul.-