The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-20

Courier des Etats Unis. French newspaper
published IN New York, with editorial com
mems The editor. after referring % the de-
plorable spectacle" exhibited 10 this country IN
che scramble for Offices, which seems 10 be the
main object aud result Of every election, and in
which The mighlest and meanest mtellecis Of
the land are alike absorbed, says that he hopes
that the publication Of this letter, will "recaI
the Americans from the filiful contests for per.
sonal interests in which they are engaged" and
arouse them to sense Of the danger which
threatens one Of the most important and most
exposed interests Of the country, and even the
existence oflhe Union.
The letter ITSELF which is dated from Paris
in April last, and bears the signature of the
writer, IS sensible and well written compost
lion, and is intended 10 awaken the attention Of
the People OF the Southern States Of the Union
TOT object, nature and extent olthe designs and
intrigues Of Great Britain against slavery in this
country. We sllude now 10 this lelter--which
we should publish entire but for its length
merely 10 show that The dangers which menace
the country have been much better, or at least
much earlier, understood abroad, than by our
selves; as bystanders are said 10 see more of a
game than hose who are actually engaged in IT,.
Il is impossible for US, after the dsclo-
sures in Parliament in August last. 10 doubt
the deliberate purpose Of the British Gov
eminent TO interfere, indirectly in manner, bull
directly and avowedly in Intention, with the in
stitution Of slavery in this country; the mode Of
interference is made known, and lis certain re-
suits boasted of. Lord Brougham declares, in
Parliament, that abolition of slavery in Texas
''must ultimately end IN the ahol. tion OF slavery
in America : and he anxious!y inquiries Of the
Minister Of Foreign Affairs what steps had been
taken 10 procure the abolition of slavery in Tex
as The reply is. that her Majesty's ministers
are pressing the matter shy means Of urging
the negotiations, as nell as by every other
means an their pot1eT - but Lord Aberdeen de-
clines, from prudential motives, 10 reveal the
state of the negotiations.
Il certainly could not have been the under
standing with these mobile lords . that the abo-
lition Of slavery in the United States was to be
effected, through its abolition in Texas, peacea-
bly,, aud with the concurrence of our slave-hoId-
ers; for why go tortuou,ly and indirectly 10
work TO procure their concurrence and assent
They understood, of course, as we do, that the
effect of the proposed measure would be 10
throw The slave-holding interest of this country
in hopeless minority, upon which the majority
might work al their leisure, until their efforts
produced either abolition or disunion--her Ma
j-sty's ministers did not care which-though
they would probably prefer the latter.
But the questions arise. what right have "her
Msesiy's ministers 10 interfere, directly or in
directly, with the institutions of our rcountry,
against our will 2 and in what spirit ought such
Interference 10 be met by the People Of the Uni
led States7
During the Administration Of Mr.. Monroe
the last of the sages and patriots Of The Revolu-
ton who guided the destinies Of our country,
such questions were very promptly answered
The People were then ready instantly 10 resent,
not only interference with the concerns OF our
own country, but even interference, from Eu-
rope, with any independent State on our Cont
neni. In the year 1923, the European powers
which were parties 10 the Holy Alliance, were
understood TO entertain design Of assisting
Spain in the attempt TO recover some of her re-
volled Colonies. In bis message at the opening |
of Congress, in December Of that year, Mr.. |
Monroe alluded to the threatened interference
in the following spirited terms
OF events in that quarter Of the globe with which
we have so much intercourse, and from which We /
derive origin, have always been anxious ard |
Interested spectators. The citizens Of the United
States cherish sentiments the friendly In favor
Of the liberty and happiness Of their fellow men on
that side Of the Atlantic. In the wars Of the Euro
pean powers, in matters relating to themselves, we
have never taken any part, does comport with
our policy TO do 30. IL IS only when our rights are
invaded, seriously menaced, that we resent iniu
ries, or make Preparations for our defence. With
the movements in this hemisphere we are Of neces
sty, more Immediately connected, and by causes
which must be obvious 10 oil enlightened and Impair
tal observers. The political system Of the allied
powers is essentially different in this respect, from
that Of America This difference proceeds from that
winch exists in their respective governments. And
10 the defence Of our own which has been achieved
b, the loss Of 80 much blood and treasure, and ma
tlrrd by the wisdom Of their most enlightened ciii-
zens and under which have enjoyed upexampled
felicity. this whole nation Is devoted. We owe H.
therefore, 10 candor, and 10 the amicsble relations
existing between the United States and those powers
20 Declare that we should consider any attempt on
their part extend their system 10 any portl1n Of
this hemisphere dangerous to peace and safety.
With existing colonies or dependencies Of any Euro
pean power, have not nterered, and shall not IN
terfere. Bot with tho governments who have de
cIared. their independence and maintained it, and
whose Independence we have, great consideration
end on just principles, Acknowledged, we could not
any inerposilion for the purpose Of depressing
them. controlling, in any other manner their destiny
by any European power, m any other light than as
the manifestation OF unfrendy disposition towards
the United States."-tiessqge al me opening Of Con-
grea, Dec. 2, 1923.
This declaration Ct Mr.. Monroe was like
tumpet-call to tie spirits OF the American Peo-
pie OF that day. Itawakeued responsive throb
in The bosouis Of the whole nation. The deter
animation 50 boldly and frankly proclaimed, was
appiauded, not only by the press. but in the
messages Of the Governors Of SAFES, and in
unanimous and spirited resolutions adopted by