Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-01-12

between The established Government on
The one side, and the disaffected on the
other and the question for US to determine
is whether it is our duty, our interest, or
our right ,ointerferc.
1t may be doubtful whether a case can
ever occur, when the administration of o
Govcrnmen, though ever so oppressive,
will justify surrounding nations to interfere
in tina, Government. No one prcsumcs to
intermed1le with the government of the
Sublime Porte, and yet no one doubts as
to the oppression of the people. But
admit that cases may arise juslifying such
interference, il can only be in extreme cases.
aud no man pretends that any of those
cases have occurred.
Canada benrs the same relation to the
English Government that Louisiana does
to ours, being transferred in the same
manner and by The same power. Their
form of government mny justly DO called
free, for it is an admitted fact that next to
our own the British Government is the
fire. est in the world. No sensible man will
contend that the Canadians are an opprcs-
scd people, tho contest is either a strife as
to the form of their Government, or a
manifestation Of implacable hatred between
them and all who speak a different Ian.
guagc. IL the one, our interference would
be unlawful; If the other, it would be
murderous. None will contend that duty
demands our interference. There are
fanatics in liberty as well as in religion,
aud they may consider that duty calls on
them TO consecrate their bodies 10 the
reformation Of the worlds abuse, but they
are harmless creatures whose example will
have small influence upon the thoughtful
and sober minded. As citizens, our duty
is TO our own government and the greatest
benefit we can confer upon the world is TO
render that government perfect example
Of high and honorable bearing.
The argument is equally conclusive on
the score Of interest. Our intercourse with
Canada has been more extensive and init
mate than with many Of the states Of the
Union. Our commercial connections wit
them have been greater than with all the
states, excepting New York, end these
connexions have been almost exclusively
with the government party. But we
should also take into consideration our
connection with Engla and this opens
to view vast field Of relations, varied.
important and Interesting to US and to the
world. Great Britain and America have a
common origin, speak the same language,
and are The two freest nations in the world.
Both are laboring TO advance the interests
of man, to enlarge the boundaries of know
ledge and to send the lights Of religion to
the dark corners of the earth. They
should be natural allies, and SO far as in
lcrest is o subject Of enquiry, the argu
ment is conclusive, we have every thing to
gain by neutrality and much to lose by o
breach Of it.
ain aware that with exclusive Patriot.
questions OF interest will be considered o:
low and grovelng. Their submated no.
tons Of liberty lead them TO regard the
peace of the nation as Of small moment
when opposed to the dear RICH, Of prosra
ting oil gov'ts against their pure theories
1t will hardly be expected that they vii
bes,ow much thought upon the momentous
question of the right TO interfere, and
shall no, give myself the trouble to discus:
the matter for their benefit; bot call or
the peaceful, the gniet, the lovers Of orde
and of law, to consider we'll this important
subject.
In considering this subject, we hav'
nothing to do with the enquiry how ia
individuals may leave the country Of ,hei
| birth and identify themselves in foreig
quarrel. They must be left TO determine a
to the morality of the transaction. The-'
cases have occurred and covered the actor
with glory, us in the case OF Lafayette
/ But il is no, every quarrel that offers Fl
occasion, and in mere rebellion 1t is nepei
allowable. The rebellion Of Shayes; tn,
whiskey instruction in Pennsylvania thu
powder plot in England, and thousands o
others are cases Of resistance to the gov
eminent where the world by common con
sent would award to every intermedde
the glory of halter.
The individual by joining in forcigI
quarrel assumes hostile character and j.
to be treated as SUCH Colonel Miller il
Greece could claim no privilege as oil
American citizen. The original charac'e
for the time being, is merged in that Of thu
new relation. II was on this ground tina
the French government attempted to pre-
vent the departure of Lafayette. and it wa
effected by stealth. The question for u
10 determine ia Of national character
and we are to determine how far we hnv
the right as nation, OF giving aid to tn
disaffecled.
The duties of governments towards cacI
other can admit of no controversy. Ever.
people have the right of establishing thei
own form of government. This is admit
ted by every writer on the laws Of nations
When Russia and the other powers inter
fered in the government of Poland, the
incurred tho censure OF the civizc
world The revolution in Cromwel's tim
was viewed with great dlstrust, bat non
felt authorized TO interfere. 81 again il
the various revolutions of DISTRACTED Franc
oil trembed, but stood aloof. We hav
no greater right to interfere in the govern
ment of other nations than they in ours
and n League like that of The holy aliidnc