Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-26
,yOLUME a6. NUMBER 50.

interfere with the independent action fthe ma
tons ON the continent. The American system
OF governments is entirely different from thar
loi Europe. jealousy among the different
soyereigns oi Europe, lest one Of them might
become too powerful for the rest has caused
them anxlouslv to desire the establishment Of
what they term the s.halance of Power. Ii
cannot be permitted TO have any application,
on the North American continent. and especi-
ally 10 the United States Venus, ever main
tam the principle that the people OF this conf
nent alone have the right 10 decide their own
destiny. Should any portion Of them. consti-
tuung an Independent State. propose to unite
themselves with our Confederacy, this will be
a question for them and us to determine with
out any foreign intcrposition. We can never
consent that European Powers shall interfere
70 prevent such union, because il might dis
turo the balance OF power" which they may
desire to maintain upon THIS continent. Near
a quarter OF century ago, the principle was
distinctly announced 10 the world, IN the an.
nual message of one Of my predecessors. that
"the AMERICAN CONTINENTS, by the free and
independent constitution which they have as.
stunned and maintain. are henceiorth not to be
considered as subjects for future colonization
by any European power" This principle
VIII apply with greatly increased force. should
any European power attempt 10 establish any
new colony IN North America. In the exis-
ting circumstances Of the world. the present is
deemed proper occasion TO RErIERArr and
REAFriRM TIE PRINCIPLE AvowEp By Nh.
MONROE, and 10 state my cordial concurrence
IN ITS wisdom and sound policy. The re-asser.
ton OF tins principle. especially in reference to
North America, is at this day but the promul
CATION OF policy which no European should
cherish the disposition TO resist Existing
rights ofeyery European nation should be re-
spected; but II is due alike TO our safety and our
interests that the efficient protection Of our laws
should be extended over our whole territorial
limits and that it should be distinctly announc.
cd 70 the world as our settled policy that no fu.
ture European colony or dominion shall. with
our consent, be planted or established on anv
part OF the North American continent.
In the dabaie upon this subject Mn. Polk
also said that, "the President had no power 10
bind the nation by such a pledge, even in re-
gard TO the South American Republics; and
now (said he) it is said that the national honor
is pledged TO act up TO the declaration Of that
message. Mr.. Monroe's which Mr.. Polk
"relteraies and reafiirmsn For himself TIE
DID NOT so CONSIDER IT and for one HE would
not consent 10 endanger the peace ofthe country
by sending Ministers TO this Consultative As
sembly at Panama.
In the same debate MIR. HAYNE, of South
Carolina, SAID Connected with this object is
another, bearing a close resemblance to il; the
opposition to colonization Of America BY any
European Power Ifby this, il is to be I'M
dersood that ce are 70 interfere to obstruct the
settlement OF the territories in Amerca owned
by Russia and England, IL must speedily inrolue
us AZ an aaej,asi and unnecessary pay.''
Mr.. YERPLANK, on the same occasion.
and acting with MIR. Polk, as did Mr.. Hayne,
sald, -" Now, sir, open the Constitution, and
ask, where is the power, on the part of the
Executive Department Of ibis Government, to
give such PLEDGE lille is speaking Of Mr..
Monroe's right to pledge the faith of the nation,
| TO prevent foreign interference ! find that
Congress has the power to declare war, and
the President make treaties but find no pow
or given TO the President to commit the nation
10 any predetermined line ofpoiicg."
give these extracts TO show whatthe charac-
ter and subjects Of the debate were; il will be
seen by them, that Mr.. Monroe's pledge, as il
was called, was disapproved Of by Mr., Polk
and those with whom he acted on that occa
sion, and who now belong the same party with
him. In the words of Mr.. Allen. ssold books
and types are terrible things to men of short
memories and devious ways Mr. Polk must
have supposed that the celebrated Panama de
bale had been forgotten when he reiterated
and reafiirmed'' Mr.. Monroe's declaration
He was mistaken
0LIVER OLDSCHOOL.