The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-20
some contingency once again TO exercise controlling
influence the destnies of the Mexican republic
X. s.
For the Union.
THE INTERFERENCE AND ENCRoACH
MENT OF FOREIGN POWERS.

We have already referred to the memorable mes
sage of President Monroe in 1925, and have shown
that policy relation TO the interference OF for
eign powers therein most fully laid down. that
the United States were anxious TO cultivate the
most friendly relations with all the powers of Eu-
rope, but at the same time, have most uniformly
declared that any attempt on their part TO extend
any portion of their system Of policy to this hems.
phere would be considered an innovation on our
political institutions, and dangerous to our peace
and prosperity; and that neither the government
of the United States nor the people themselves,
have intermeddled with, or interfered in,
the local or general policies of Europe; that,
ION former occasions, when our political nstitu-
lions were menaced, or our rights invaded, the
government of the United States had promptly and
frankly avowed its determination to repel all inter
ference, as duty incumbent ITSELF as well pos
ery, and II necessary, to resent all such influence,
and TO make preparation to defend institutions
on this continent whatever mgh be the consequence.
Our object has been faithfully and fairly to draw
parallel between the state Of foreign relations IN
1923, 1925, and 1896, by referring to the page of
the history of those days, and TO show not only
what were the acts, but the opinions and sentiments
Of the statesmen Of those days. Hoping on these
great national questions to produce unanimity among
all the citizens of the United States, but more par
ticularly the opponents of the great measure now
presented for their deliberate consideration, and to
induce careful attention. have quoted and refer
leaders of the political party from which originates
the greatest opposition.
We have shown the prompt manner in which
Mr.. Clay, when Secretary of State, met the sup
posed interference the part of France, in sending
a large fleet to the coast Of North America and the
decided manner in which the American minister was
instructed to demand explanation, when the
islands of Cuba and Porto Rico supposed to be
the object Of the destination and attack; and the
decided appreciation this course received from the
great masses of the American people.
And ought il not TO arouse the attention Of every
American, when foreign diplomats seeking every
opportunity, and employing every means, to impede
and Illustrate our national policy, and defeat the
wishes of nine-tenths of the American people;
Whole fleets of armed vessels and war steamers are
lowering on our coast, impudently carrying back
and forward, not only the agents of foreign powers
but even the bearers of dispatches, and virtually es-
ablishing line Of expresses between Mexico and
Texas. And can II not be asked, with great pro-
pricty, what would have been the course and policy
, of the administration of Mr.. Madison or Mr.. Mon
roe under similar circumstances! An answer is al
hand. What was the course Of Mr.. Adams' He
treated even the threats of foreign powers with the
utmost disdain, and administered the wholesome
and comprehensive rebuke when such interference
first manifested ITSELF declaring and promulgating to
the world that the people ofthe United States consulted
their rights and their duties, and mol their fears oforeign
po,cers.
4 We shall now proceed to show the opinion OF
some of the most prominent of the political leaders
of the opposition TO the annexation of Texas,
apressed the floor of Congress-; and we again take
occasion to say, that the important question of for
eign Interference may he Invested of all party
character; and that it may be brought home to the
prejudice and understanding of its opponents, we
shall refer 10 the opinions and acts of such men as
MIR. Adams, Mr.. Clay, Mr.. Webster, and others
And that those who may not have had an opportu
Unity recently to refer the sentiments expressed by
Clayr in his alahr led ths
25t of December 1910, in the Senate of the United
States on The line ofthe Perdido,we will take the liberty
of making some extracts therefrom; only remarking
by way of introduction, that, at that time, Spain
claimed that Florida extended to the Mississippi ir
like manner we claimed the Rio del Norte. And
the United States claimed that Louisiana ex
tended to the Perdido, small river entering
into the Gulf of Mexico a short distance to the
east of the Mobile bay. President Madison adopt
ed on that occasion a very prompt and decided
course-and took possession of the whole country
claimed namely, to the Perdido. The pursued
by Mr.. Madison was most severely attacked by the
federal party in Congress, and the whole united
talent of that party was brought to bear agains
these measures of the administration of Mr.. Madi
son. Mr.. Clay IN very able manner advocates
the measure, and on that occasion expressed aston
shment, and, most sarcasticaly, his admiration Of
the than .1isdean justice phich, question o.
Territorial tile bettreen the United States and foreign
nation, induced certain gentlemen TO epo,se the pres
sons Of the foreign nations.
Mr.. Clay trumphently succeeded in establishing
the line ofthe Perdido, which remained the estab
lished line between the United States and Florids
until its cession. We shall now quote the words OF
Mr.. Clay on this important subject:
Never could proptious present itself fol
the exercise Of the discretionary placed in the esi
and had he failed to embrace H. he would have been GRIM
finally nattentive to the dearest interests of this country
II cannot be often repeated that ii Cuba on the on,
N DOk sion of &
foreign maritime power the immense extent OF country be
II into he a Of oy as
third more than twothrds of the United States,
G the Of tina
necessary to the enjoyment Of the navigation of
streams The gentleman from Delaware anticipates til.
most direul consequences from the occupation Of tn,
country He supposes sally from Spanish garrison upor
the American forces and asks what is to be donei w,
attempt peaceful possession OF the country to which
are fairly entitled If the wrongful occupants under thu
authority Of Spain assal our troops trust they will re
apeake Suppose attack upon any portion Amer
lean army within the acknowledged limits the United
MIST but single honorable and manly The gentle
Imam conceves It ungenerous that should at this
ment when Spain encompasscd and pressed all sides
by the immense power Other enemy, occupy West Florida
shall we sit by passive spectators and witness the inter
tend in the most imminent degree, leopard rights
without attempting to inerterel Are you prepared
foreign power seize what belongs 10 us7 have heard
in the credible manner that the period wher
the President took his in relation to that country
power with the people
there to induce them to under his dominion: but
whether this be the fact cannot be doubted that
II you neglect the present suspicious momentf you
ject the preferred boom some other Daon pTofing by
will seize the aston to fatal footing il
your southern frontier I have hesitation in saying
THAT IL parent country will not cannot maintain III
anhorty in colony adjacent us, and there exists in
state OF msIue and disorder menacing If
moreover such colony, by passing into the hands OF any
other power would become dangerous to the integrity
me Union and manestly tend the subversion Of ou
aVswe have right upon the eternal principles of self
to lay hold uponi THIS principle alone
Independent oil any title, would our cc upation
West Florida But is not necessary to resort 10 n. o
title being in my judgment inconestably good We mr.,
told OF tue vengeance of resusctated Spain II Spain nm
der any modification of her government choose TO max.
upon u.s. for the act under consde nation
have no doubt will be willing TO embark in such conr
But the gentleman reminds that Great Britain m,
ally OF Spain may be obliged by her connection with tina
country to take part with her against and conside
this measure OF the President justfyng an appeal n
arms. Sir, Is the time TO arrive when we ma,
manage affairs without the fear of insulting hi
Britannia Majesty Is the rod OF British power to be 10
ever suspended heads7 Does Congress put on
embargo to shelter rghl commerce against the prn
zeal depredstons committed upon IL the oceanlwe ar
Immediately warned of the Indignation offended Enp
..ra..