Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-04-07

lions, OUT X IS espcC,a'Iy that VI ''"'il o'a'oo
Repose is not more necessary TO the growth anu ex'
panson Of individuals in their youth. than il is Ia
that of young nations which have in the midst OF
war, commenced the career OF Independence and
self government. Peace is now the greatest want
of America. Desirable, however, as It unques-
tionably is, there is nothing in the present or IN
the future Of which we can catch glimpse, that
should induce the American republics, in order TO
obtain it, to sacrifice particle Of their ndepen'
dent sovereignty They ought. therefore. to reject
all propositions founded upon the principle OF con-
cession Of perpetual commercial privileges to any
foreign power. The grant of such privileges IS IN
compatible with their actual and absolute ndepeii.
dence. 1t woull partake OF the spirit, and BRING
back in fact, il not in form. the state OF ancient CO.
lonial connection. Nor would their honor and ma
tional pride allow them TO entertain or deliberate
on propositions founded upon the notion OF pur-
chasing. with pecunary consideration the Spanish
acknowledgment of their independence
Nextto the more pressing object of putting an end
to the war between the new republics and Spain,
should be that of devsing means to preserve peace
in future, among the American nations themselves.
and with the rest of the world. No time could be
more suspicious than the present, for successful
inquiry by the American nations. into the causes
which have so often disturbed the repose OF the
world !; and for an earnest endeavor. by wise pre-
caution, in the establishment of just and enghten,
ell principles, for the government OF their conduct.
in peace and in war. to guard, as tar as possible,
against all misunderstanding. They have old
prejudces to combat no long established practices
to change no entansed connections or theories to
break through. tied to no particular systems
of commerce. nor to any selfish begerent code OF
law, they are free to consult the experience of man
kind, and to to establish, without bias principles for
themselves, adaped to their condition. and likely to
promote their peace, security. and happiness. Re-
flNatf tnyt
often be involved in the wars with which that quar-
ter Of the globe may be destined. hereafter, TO be
afflicted In these wars, the policy OF all America
will be the same, that OF peace and neutrality. which
the United States have, heretofore, constantly la.
bored to preserve.
;Ef the principles which that probable state of neu-
srality indicates as best for the interests of tins
hemisphere. be. at the same time. just in them
selves and calculated to prevent wars, or to mlti
gate the rgOr of those great scDurges, they will pre-
sent themselves to the general acquaintance with an
union OF irresistible recommendations. Both those
qualities are believed to be possessed by the mari
time principles for which the United States have
ever contended. aud especially throughout the whole
period of the late European wars. The president
wishes you to bring forward those principles on an
occasion auspiciuus that is anticipated to be of
the congress at Panama. Uncontrolled power, on
whatever element it is excrted, is prone to great
abuse. But, it is still more liable TO abuse on the
sea than on the land perhaps because it is there ex
ercised beyond the presence OF impartial spectators
and therefore. with but little moral restraint result
ing from the sautary influence of public opinion
which if applied at ALL has always to be subsequent
". and consequently less etHcacously applied The
moral cosnizance, when it comes to be taken, finds
too more doubtful or contested state of fact than
if the theatre had been where there were nu-
merous and less prejudiccd witnesses. At all times
there has existed more quality 10 the distribution
among nations, OF maritime, than Of territorial pow
In almost every age, some one has had the COM
plpte mastery the ocean, and this superiority has
been occasionally great rs to more than counter
balance the combined maritime force of all other
nations if such a combination were practicable. But
when single nationiin itself possessed power
and where which no one, nor all other nations Can
successfully check countervail the consequences
are too sadly unfolded'in the pages of history Such
a nation grows presumptuous, impatient of contra
dicton or opposition. and finds the solution of natio
nal problems easier, and more grateful to its PRIDE
by the sword, than by the slow and less brilliant
process Of patient estgatior If the superiority
be the ocean, the excuses in the abuses OF that
power become 1ntoierahlc. Although, IN the ar
Engagement of things security against oppression
should be the greatest where it is most likely to be
often practised it is, nevertheless, remarkable that
the progress of enlightened civilization has been
much more advanced on the land than on the ocean.
And, accordingly, personal rights, and especially
those Of property, have both safety and protection
on the former which they do not enjoy on the lat
ter element Scarcely any circumstance would now
tend more to exalt the character OF America than
that Of uniting its endeavors to bring up the arrears
LIBERALIZATION, as applied to the to the same
forward point which it has attained the land, and
thus rendering men and their property secure against
all human injustice and violence, leave them expos
ed only to the action of those storms and disasters
sufficiently perilous, which are comprehended in
he dspensations OF providence.
1t is under the influence ofthese, and similar con-
alterations that you will bring forward, at the con-
tempote,i Congress 4he proposition to abolish war
: against private property and non-combatants upon