The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-29
SMALL WING TACTICS.

The Senate has just been favored with new is
sue. 10 the speech Of Mr.. J. M. Clayton, Of Della
ware, on Mr.. Aliens resolutions of protest agans,
the future colonization Of any parts Of this CONT
nent by European powers, occurs the following pas
sage. We quote it at full length
al will go back to the origin Of the present party,
and refer 10 the journals, when the House was en-
gagged on the important question Of sending a min
ister to Panama, TO ascertain what was the opinion
of the democratic party then. In April, 1926, a
resolution to pay minister was before the House
Of Representatives. A member from my own
State moved amendment, that The House, in
expressing this opinion, did not intend TO sanction
any departure from the settled policy Of this govern.
ment, IN extending our commercial relations with
foreign nations that we should have with them as
little political connexion as possible; that we should
preserve peace, commerce, and friendship with all
nations and form entangling alliances with none
that should not form any alliances, offensive OF
defensive, or negotiate respecting such alliances
with all or any Of the South American republics.
1t is therefore the opinion Of this House that the
| government Of tbs -Uaissd States ought not TO be
represented at the Congress of Panama, except in q
diplomatic character, nor ought they to form any
alliance offensive defensive negotiate respect
ing such alliance with all any of the South Amer
lean republics; nor ought they to become parties
with them, or either Of them, to any joint declara
ton for the purpose of preventing the interference,
ence or form of government, or TO any compact fol
the purpose of preventing colonization upon the
continent Of America.
"This, sir, was the leading policy of Mr.. McLane
Of Delaware What was the vote The democratic
party all voted in favor of the amendment as have
read it precisely. The party then took ground diff:
ferent from that avowed by the senator from Ohio
Who are the gentlemen who voted in favor of this
declaration Who are they' | find the name Of
Mr.. Buchanan among the yeas, and name of more
importance, Mr. Polk, Of Tennessee, the very iden.
| teal man who is now the President Of the United
States with the names of other distinguished demo-
Gratis. This was the party creed, so far their &C.
ton could establish creed After looking at this
it strikes me II may not be unmportant to refer to
the language of gentlemen who figured in the de.
bate; and find, among other things, speech from
one Mr. Polk in favor of the amendment, and COM
mend to the favorable consideration of the senator
from Ohio. He. will whether the democratic
party of that day conceded in views with what he
considers the principle now. Mr.. Polk said:
1--WE have declared opinion by the adoption ofthe
observe neutrality all beligerent powers
that in extending commercial relations with foreign
nations, should have with them as little political
nexon as possble that we should preserve peace com
merce and friendship with oil nations and form cntanging
ancc offensive defensive, negotiate respecting such
alliance with all any Of the South American republics
nor should become parties with them or either Of then.
interference Of any Of the European powers with their
Independence form Of government to any compact
for the purpose Of colonization the continent
OF America These sentiments Mr. said to which he
most heartily subscribed. However strong his sympathes
might be in favor Of liberty and republican institutions, in
whatever part Of the world they might make their appear
ance the peace the quiet and prosperity Of his country
were paramount to every other confederation
81 do not, Mr., President (said Mr.. c., intend to
commit myself for against the doctrine avowed in
this resolution. do protest, however, against these
frequent changes as forming the foundation Of the
democratic principle"
We speak with due Difference towards the honor
able and distinguished senator from Delaware
1--WE will not adopt the more parliamentary form Of
calling him cone Mr.. Clayton y for we do not
mean, even by any apparent retort, to testify the
slightest discourtesy; real do not fee-apparent,
even it shall not be towards the gentlemen from
DeIaware.) But here is an attempt--a most extra
ordinary and impotc attempt, 1--WE had almost used
stronger terms ito show an inconsistency between
the views Of Mr. Polk when representative in
Congress at the time Of the Panama mission, and
his views as now laid before the country in his mes
sage on the subject Of the colonization of this conti
nent by foreign nations tits indeed quite true, that,
like other distinguished gentlemen whose names are
now prominent before the country in connexion
with this subject, Mr.. Polk was, at the time Of
The Panama mIssion, Huch younger man than
he is at present. But it is not true-very far from
it-thst there is any, the slightest inconsistency be-
tween the position Of MIR. Polk upon this subject at
that time, and the position now taken in his mes-
sage. The doctrine of the message is as follows
t'Near quarter Of a century ago, the principle
was distinctly announced to the world, in the annual
message of one Of my predecessors, that the Amer
lean continents by the free and independent condi-
ton which they have assumed and maintain, are
henceforth not to be considered as subjects for flu
ture colonization by any European power, Ihls
principle viii apply with greatly increased force,
should any European power attempt TO establlsh
any new colony in North America In the existing
circumstances Of the world the present is deemed
pTopeF occasion to reiterate and reafrm the princl-
ole svowed by Mr. Monroe, and to state my cordial
concurrence in its wisdom and sound policy The
reassertion Of this principle, especially in reference
TO North America is, at this day, but the promuga-
ton Of policy which no European power should
cherish the disposition to resist Existing rights Of
every European nation should be respected; bu, il is
due alike to our safety and our interests, that the