Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-02-01

g The whole question may be resolved into this !
Z Are we prepared now to depart from The ftaada-
mental policy of this country, NEVER TO INTER-
FERE IN THE CONCERNS or OTHER NATIONS Are /.
we ready TO embark fate with that OF the Span
ish American republics to become parties TO an
American Confederacy' against the European
Confederacy 2 Sir il will not, il cannot be de-
MED that the proposed measure is entirely out OF
the Of ordinary diplomatic relations; it has
no precedent but in that great Alliance proane-
ly called Holy and equally offensive to God and
TO man.
"We are about to violate the maxim Of the Father
of his Country, which enjoins upon US, the most
sacred of duties, to cultivate peace and honest
friendship with all nations, enangling alliances
| with none--to equally violate the wise and pru-
dent policy OF the late President of the benefits OF
| which we have glowing picture from the pen oil
I the Secretary of State in the documents now on
| your table. Shall we abandon this high and hon
orable ground TO engage an a crusade the end OF
II which no human being can foresee"
The next Senator in order, whose speech we
shall quote Of respect for the station which he
has filed and in TRUTH for the consistency of his
opinions on this subject, is the Ex-President Mr..
VAN buren,; from whose speech we cite, without
remark, because they speak for themselves the
following passages, to which others might be added
if our space allowed:
i Il yield to no man in my anxious wishes for
| sthe success of the Spanish American States.
{ will go as far as think any American citizen
i ought to go, TO secure to them the blessings OF
I free government. commend the solicitude which
has been manifested by our Government upon this
subject and have of course, no desire to discourage
it. But am against all alliances, against all armed
i conlederacies, or confederacies of any SORT
bo,. in
what shape they may, oppose them.'
j what is the reason that foreign connexions
swere deprecated by WASHINGTON, and have, since
Is his day, been avoided by country! 1t is be-
cause, between foreign Governments and our own,
there are diversies in situation, interest, feeling,
i prejudice, and views, which preclude the proba-
bility Of preserving the relations may form with
i them, and greatly increase The contingencies by
achich our country may become invoiued acith
il Others"
\ Mr.. WOODBURY., the now distinguished Demo
cratic Senator, was particularly jealous against any
commitment Of our neutrality by sending Ministers
to attend the Council of the Southern Republics.
! Hear him
Il Where is the crisis, where the emergency, to
Justify such an extraordinary measure? why
; quit our own to stand on foreign groundT Why
Join our fortunes in any case, much less in
less war, with Powers of another region, another
tongue, another faith Have we become incom-
i petent to our self-defence! Are we in need Of
foreign councils and foreign deliberations to
manage our concerns! Or are we so moon
t, struck, or so little employed at home, as, III the
e eloquent language of our President another oc
Is l. casion-when the sentiments expressed found
y response in every patriot heart-'fo caadel
e abroad in search Of foreign monstersto destroy
s. Speaking of America and her foreign policy, h
m observed
"She has abstained from interference in the
Others even when the conflict has been for principles
which she clngs the last vital drop which visits tn
/, heart"
ssWhenever the standard Of freedom and independence ha
been or shall unfed there will her heart, her benedic
TONS and her prayers But she goes abroad in
of destroy She is the wel-wisher to the free
dom and independence of all She is the champion
vndcator only Of her own" Adamss Grafton, 4h July
h ls2l)
; .ss7His as the first tinle," continued Mr. WooD-
y BURY, "Mat the Legislative Department Of our
i Government has eper been distinctly appealed TO
L for ITS sanction to the new notions thus ably de-
r. nounced by him, and, if we now approve the Pa
: mama Congress, whose chief object is to enforce
them, we at once adopt and approve the principle
that Spain has not by such alliances national
2 law warrants, and as were formed ON both sides
in our own Revolution, any right to attempt to
!, conquer and recolonize South America; and fur
Their, that she has not, by such sales national
law warrants, and as we ourselves have partaken,
any right TO transfer Cuba or Porto Rico to any
: European Power with whom she can agree upon
the purchase money; and that these unprecedent-
n ed and unjust positions willing TO maintain
4 at any sacrifice of blood and treasure"
u These were the opinions at that day entertained
by many of those public men who have been ready
to rush into war with Mexico on the ground that
England was supposed to be negotiating with her
for the independence of Texas
4 Again, hear Mr.. WOODBURY.
opinion, the solemn duty of the Senate not to adj
wise this mission; the solemn duty of this nation,
under such doubt and peril, not 10 try whiie zee
i are rel, 10 be better"
i peace will doubtless arrive as those
belligerent Powers viii enjoy leisure to engage
4 with utility in any peaceful improvements with
us. Inter ara silent hges; and il seems TO me the
4 dictate of prudence now TO remain contentedy at
4 home, without embarking in any new experiments
of diplomacy or OF coalitions with confederate belli-
gerents--to pay off fast as possible the debts
II of former wars---to husband our resources-to
encourage our States in the cultivation of the arts,
n of manufactures, and of agriculture-to give due
protection TO commerce--and retain for our motto,
honest friendship with all nations entanglng al
i liances with none.
We might multiply quotations OF the same cha
-. Al. go ,ro enonob W. has epu