Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-04-18

unquestionably, as far are concerned, the |
most important branch OF the negotiations. With
several OF these Powers we have no treaty what
ever. With Mexico, appears from the cores
pondence between the Secretary of State and MIR.
Poinset', we have been unable, as yet, TO form
'reay on satisfactory conditions; and the obstacles
which have hitherto prevspied this from being done
are precisely such are most likely 10 be removed
at conference OF ministers of all the new States.
Al such conference, shall of course possess
the best opportunity of establishing uniform and
liberal relations with all. The arrangements to be
made with them comprehend the great principles of |
bellgerent, neutral, and commercial law as set |
forth IN the general instructions 10 Nh Anderson,
by the then Secretary OF State. The United States
have long beea laboring to Introduce, into every
branch OF public law, principles of berality equal
ity, and humanity, hitherto unknown in its codes
Inc various respects IN which our policy, in many
leading points OF the laws of war and trade differs
IRON that OF Europe, are well known to the House,
and need not here be stated. The Republic OF
Colombia, in inviting our attendance at the Con-
gress, las asked, for herself and her sister Repub-
lies, the benefit OF our experience in the great
school OF international politics. To refuse our at
tendance at the Congrsss, when urged on this
ground, would be 10 neglect TO seize perhaps, the
iaiIest opportunity which the history of.the world
ever afforded, OF giving wise and prompt diffusion
to liberal doctrines of public law. 1t would Ger
tainly put it out of our power to complain of any
policy these States might adopt, however un-
frendly towards our interests, and however vicious
! in principle.
Such are the views of the committee with res
ect to the several classes OF subjects which will be
discussed Al this Congress. 1t is very obvious
reflection, tina, our attendance may have power
iul effect in giving character to the Assembly it
sell Our presence is particularly requested by one
OF the new States, who have Joined in the invita-
uon, ON the ground OF the sc Importance and res
pectaoiiity which would thence attach to the
Congress. The committee do not foresee the Dos
soiiity that under any circumstances the Congress
could become an announcement or dangerous assem-
| bly,. But, ii it be thought by any one that evil
consequences are likely to flow from it, the pros
pect OF such consequences would furnish new rea-
sons why we should be represented at it, What
ever opinions may be held OF the eXpediency of
such meeting, in itself, il would seem that there
could be but one opinion to the duty Of our at
tendance al the Congress- to correct the pernicious
| tendency which 1t may be feared 10 have To
neglect to attend the Congress, because it was
combination OF unriendly aspect, would be to neg
ect the ordinary preparations of defence, precisely
because there was danger of war. Viewing the
Congress OF Panama in this unfavorable light for
which, however, the committee apprehend there is
| no reason,) no administration of the Executive
Government would stand justified 10 the country
without taking measures most promptly to be in
formed OF It's proceedings If not invited 10 send
authorized and accredited ministers, it would have
been their duty 10 send private political agents.
The committee have felt it their duty 10 consider
this question, chiefly strict grounds of political
expeency, and in reference the principle of our
| diplomatic intercourse. They however accord in
sentiment with the President that sufficient in
ducelnent to accept the invitation would have been
g to meet, In the spirit OF kindness and friendship
60 an overture made in that spirit by three sister
" Republics Of this hemisphere Ii will not escape
the consideration of the House that the conduct OF
the U. States toward the new Republics has ever
been regulated by the Iraxns Of frank and liberal
policy. Had we acted toward them even as we
have felt it duty TO act toward Europe, our
| course would have been essentially different Had
our feelings toward them been the same as those
which our political fathers have nculca ed toward
Europe, we should certainly have regarded it rather
as an evil than benefit that so many new republics,
OF which the greater part must be powerful states
rising into existence the side of the water
as ourselves. We are henceforwsrd 10 be without
that which has formerly been regarded as the gres
oulwark OF our national security our geographical
distance from every other powerful State. Bat we
| have not hesitated TO break down this huNark We
have gone TO meet and welcome the new Republics
| We have ourselves assisted TO exchange weak CO
lonia Tor powerful sovereign neighbors. As far as
1t depended on us, we have chosen TO place the re-
gions, on our immense South western frontier, be-
meath the government of vigorous republican nsii-
tutions instead OF having them under the safe and
enervating desPotsm OF Spain In the Judgment Of
the committee, this has been a sound, a great, an
suspicious policy. 1t was NOS rashly adopted; il
was long deliberated, well weighed, and at length
received its sanction in the unanimous voice of this
House, and the acclainations of the People From
this poicyit is too late to rece3e We can
not now do much to obsiruct tho growth Of the
! new States; we can do every thing to conciliate
and attach them, or to estrange and disgust them
The first course will pI the general cause OF
liberty, will perpetuae friendly relations between
the two great portions OF this continent to the mu-
tual advantage of both; and will render US more
and more independent of Europe The latter
course vii, tend to revive in the New World, the
false and pernicions maxims OF the Old, to teach
neghborng Republics to fix on each other the fatal
name o! natural enemies; to create piratieal and
border wars; to generate systems of exclusion: and
finally, to establish in this hemisphere, those po-
litical principles and habits which have caused the
downfall OF so many foreign States, made so many
others stationary and lansuishing, and checked the
growth OF all. We are now TO consider whether
VIC VIII take the first step in uniriendly and re-
pusive policy, by refusing to accept the courteous
invitation Of three respectable neighborng Co
vernments, rendered in manner equally creditable
10 their delcacy and fattering TO the United States
Nothing but certainty of pernicious consequences
to result from our attendance at the Congress,
would, in the opinion Of the committee, be sufi-
Glen. to justify refusal to accept such an invi-
tation. As attendance at the Congress. in
stead OF being prejudicial to the public interests.
IS, IN the judgment OF the committee, a measure of
the most obvious political expedience; as il is
stipulated to bring into hazard the neutrality Of
the United States; all fears OF an entangnp ALI
ance have been shown to be unfounded; in word.
as the Congress will be regarded by the Executive