The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-15
NATIONAL POLICY.

which occupy the courts and cabinets oil t.urole'
that our nation may be said TO be in some re-
specls green" in the ways OF The world. 4 ne
distance which separates US from Europe mas
heretofore, happily exempted us from the es"s
which occasiona ly aiIse from an intimate IN
tercour-e with foreign nations; but II has also
prevented US, in great measure, from aequH
ing national wisdom and foresight.
IL is tue. that in making bargain-on any
occasion where there is an immediate and tan
gibe good to be estma,ed-we are not deficient
in national shrewdness; though even IN that re-
spect we have sometimes committed grevous
errors, owing TO the causes to which we nave
alluded. For instance, we doubt whether any
government or cabinet in Europe would have
made such q bargain as we made with Spain
for the cession Of the Floridas, unless under
compulsion, and as the unavoidable result oil
disastrous war We DO not refer merely 10 Inc
comparative extent of territory ceded or acquir-
ed though the disparity there was great enough;
but to the remote and Interior consequences
which ought to have been taken into considera-
lion. In Europe, where every inch Of soil adds
TO the importance Of nation, cess,on OF ter
ri,ory IS considered the last sad alternative oil
diplomacy, and a national misfortune and DIS
grace. Napoleon renounced an Empire rather
than surrender, comparatively, uifiing acqulsl-
tons. With us, territory is not matter oil
so much importance. 50 far as the actual fruits
of the soil are concerned we have enough OF
il and TO spare, perhaps for ages TO come; but
when the question arises whether certain tract
of territory shall be occupied and peopled by us
and our poslerily, or by those likely TO become
our enemies, it i, question touching both the
welfare and the honor of the nation, and sur
render Of our just pretensions implies dis
graceful deficiency either in intelligence or
spirit
There would seem to be something in the
genius Of our Government not easily compa'l-
Bile with pcrsevering adherence to settled
plan Of national policy and, being deficient IN
that respect ourselves, we have not been sufiicl-
emily awake to the fact that, this deficiency forms
an important distinction. 10 our disadvantage,
between our Government and the Governments
of the Old World. The constitution of these
governments is more favorable TO unity, energy,
and perseverance Of purpose frequent wars
render them sensitively alive TO the dictates OF
the great law Of self-preserya,ioD, and dpo-
macy in constant exercise sharpens the inIellects
Of their statesmen. The merest trlhes which
may have any bearing on their national econo-
my are skfuly estimated and justly apprecia-
ted. Under such governments, profound de-
signs of national policy are handed down from
sovereign to sovereign, and from cabinet to
cabinet.
The first Of these governments in intelligence,
as well as wealth and power is that OF Great
Britain. The rise Of john Jacob Astor or of
Stephen Girard from indulgence 10 regal opulence,
was not more certainly the result Of un,rlng
industry and unremtting frugali,y, than the pro
gress of Grea, Britain 10 almost universal domi-
nation, has been the fl. ct Of a systematic plan
of national aggrandzement, psrsrveringly, III
eIorably, and rulhlessly pursued. II the proies-
sions Of her statesmen are TO be credited, she
has never had any other object in view, IN he
intercourse or interference with other nations
than the welfare of mankind. Philanthropy lee
her 10 the conquest, devastation, and plumber o
Hindostan. In fomenting and encouraging, BY
subsidies Of men and money, the wars OF th
French Revolution, the final result OF which
was the slaughter Of millions Of the human race
and the riveling upon the people. of the Con'i
nent of the doctrines of Legitimacy and the di
vine right of kings, her historians tell us tina
she was battling for the liberties Of mankind.
Her recent war with China, which, to com
mon apprehension, would seem nothing NOR
nor less than a trural massacre Of the people
an unof.nding nation for purpose purely me
cenary, is ascribed TO her zeal 10 defence Of tn
law of nations, and even TO a compliance wit
the dictates of Christianity. But any man VIII
compares the acts Of great Britain with h'
professions; who can reckon up her possession
and state The manner IN which she acquire
them who knows the condition Of the people
her Asiat.c colonies, and of the great ma
of her population at home, must be simple indie,
to give a moments credit TO her professions
philanthropy, christianity, or national homo
and blind not to see that her sole aim is nation
sggrsndizemeut at any expense OF princip
whatever. IL there were any truth or sincerl
in her professions, her philanthropy would col
mence at home.
This systematic and selfish policy Of Gre
Britain is the real and governing motive in
her intercourse with foreign nations and
nothing will il appear more obvious to those w
choose TO reflect upon it, than in the active p;
which she has taken as a nation, and among u
tons, on the subject Of negro slavery. 1t c.
tainly cannot be ignorance which induces her
turn away from the mporing looks and supp
cations Of her pauper population at home, dy
by hundreds Of famine, and spend her lime
contriyino proiects for relieving the imsrina