The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-15

THINGS cHAMrr.--.4ugustin.
FOREIGN INTERFERENCE MR. MONROE'S
DECLARATION.
1t is impossible for US, after the disclosures IN
Parliament in August las, to doubt the deliberate
purpose Of the British Government TO interfere, ln-
directly in manner, but directly and avowediy IN ~
tention with the institution of slavery IN this coun-
try the mode Of interference is made known, and
its certain r. suits boosted Of. Lord Brougham de-
cares, in Parliament, that abolition oil slavery IN
Texas must ultimately end in the abolition OF sia-
very in America :" and he anxiously inquiries OF the
Minister of Foreign Affairs what steps had been
taken to procure the abolition Of slavery in Texas 7
The reply is, that her Maestys Ministers press
ing the matter by Of urging the negotiations,
as .osu as by euy other in their po'o;" but Lord
Aberdeen declined from prudential motives, to re-
veal the state of the negotiations.
1t certainly could not have been the understanding
with these "nob,e lords" that the abolition OF slavery
in the United States to be effected, through It's
abolition in Texas, peaceaby, and with The concur
renee of our SHAREHOLDERS for why go tortuously
and indirectly to work to procure their concurrence
and ASSENT They understood, of course, as we do,
that the effect of the proposed measure would be to
throw the save-holding interest OF this country in
hopeless minority, upon which the majority might
work at their leisure, until their efforts produced
either aboli ion or disunion--her Majesys ministers
did not care whch--thoush they would probably
prefer the latter.
But the questions arise, that right have "her Ma
iestys ministers" to interfere, directly indirectly,
with the institutions of country, against our will
and in what spirit ought sch interference to be met
by the People Of the United Sta,es'
During the Adm nstIa,ion of Mr.. Monroe, the
last of The shges aud patriots Of the Revolution who
guided The desnes Of our country, such questions
were very pronpy answered The People were
then ready instantly TO resent, not only interference
with the concerns of our own country but even in
reference, from Europe, with an independent SIa'e
on our Continent. IN the year 1923, the European
powers which were parties to the Holy Alliance,
were understood to entertain design of assisting
Spain in the attemp! Of her revolted
Colonies. Ia his message at the opening of Con
sress, in December Of that year, Mr. Monroe alluded
to the threatened interfere in the following spirit
cd terms:
"Of events in that quarter OF the globe with which
We have so much intercourse and from which we
derive orr in we have always ben anxious and
interested spectators. The citizens of the United
States cherish sentiments the most friendly IN favor
of the liberty and happiness of their fellow men on
this side Of the Atlantic. In the wars OF the Euro
pean powers, in matters relating TO themselves, we
have never taken any part does it comport with
our 'licy to do it is only when our rights are
invaded, or seriously menaced, that resent inu-
ries, or make preparations for our defence With
the movements IN this hemisphere, we are, OF neces
Aity, more immediately connected, and by causes
which must be obvious TO all enlightened and impair
tial observers. The political system of the allied
power is essentially different, in this respect from
that Of America. This difference proceeds from that
which exists in their respective governments. And
u the defence of our own, which has been achieved
by the loss of so much blood and treasure and ma
tured by the wisdom Of their most enlightened clti-
zens, and under which we have enjoyed unexamped
felicity, this whole nation is devoted We owe IT,
therefore, to candor, and to the amicable relations
existing between the United States and those powers,
10 declare, that we should consider any attempt on
their part 10 extend their system to any portion OF
this h, mi-nhs~ dsusotOuS TO our peace aud safety
With existing colonies or depencies Of any Euro
pean powers we have not nterfered and shall not
terfere. But with the governments who have de-
clared their Independence and maintained IT, and
whose independence have, on great consideration
and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not
view any ntcrpositon for the purpose of depressing
them or controlling in any other manner their destiny
by any European power, IN any other light than as
the manifestation of an unlrendy disposition towards
the United States."-.uesage al the opening Of Con-
greS, Dec. 2, 1923.
This declaration Of Mr.. Monroe was like trum-
pet-ca to the spirits of the American People at that
day. 1t awakened responsive throb in the bosoms
of the whole nation. The determination so boldly
and frankly proclaimed, was spplauded, not only by
the press, but in the messages Of the Governors Of
States, and in unanimous and spirited resolutions
adopted by their Legislatures. The message was
Immediately translated and circulated throughout all
Spanish America, and our country was hailed with
confidence and gadness, as the bulwark Of the Con-
tinent against European interference. In Europe
the sensation created was hardly less than on our
own Continent; and the Paris "Etoile )" Minister.
al paper, France being then under the sway Of the
legitimate Bourbons,) Denounced the audscity of our
Chief Magistrate in the following terms
:" Mr.. Monroe, who is not sovereign, who has
himself told us that be is only the first delegate OF
the people, has taken in his message the tone Of a
powerful monarch, whose armies and fleets are rea-
dy to 20 forth on the first signal He does more he
prescfibes to the PuteDtates Of Europe the conduct
they to pursue in certain circumstances IL they
do not wish to incur his displeasure Such is the
prohibition which he issues against their ever think
ing Of any new colonization in the two Americas
But however irritating or humilistng this rebuke
from President TO the pride Of the despo,s Of
Europe, they we're compelled TO endure it, and the
threatened interference was abandoned.
The present case of British interference in Texas
comes strictly within both the letter and spirit Of Mr.
Mouroe's declaration. We have already shown evi
dencs Of design on the part of the British Govern
msn, in the year 1899, TO establish colony On tn,
north frontier Of Me'co"as asylum for free colorec
persons The location was obviously selected with the
view Of its effect on our saveholdng States in the i'm
mediate vicinity The idea OF colony wa, abandoned
but it seems in name only for IL Texas can b,