The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-13
Foreign ELECTROMAGNETIC Question or the
Century.

Foreign Interference-The Question OF the
Century.
We are not extreme or so extravagant as to
denounce altogether all foreign interference OF ma
ton with nation. Il happens with nations az il does
with families-some families are well conducted
wisely governed, kept under proper check, and every
thing goes on IN proper order and in proportion 10
this they are happy Others are distracted and torn
10 pieces by internal dssentions all is confusion
hat&d and strife, till at last, when the disorder at
teins its height, the law Of the State obliged to IN
terfere. So 1t is with nations.
All history is full of the fall of nations which
could direct and govern their affairs well, and Of
instances where their internal confusion led first to
the interference of their neighbors, and afterwards
to their fall Thus Egypt, Syria, Macedonia, all the
States of Greece, Sicily, SPAIN and finally all the orga-
nzed nations ofthe world al that time, fell gradually
after the other victims to the foreign Interer
ence" OF the Romans this same interference being
FIRST generally invited and rendered necessary by the
bad government, internal disorders, fierce domestic
factions, and strife OF parties, prevailing in tn
veral States which fell.
Now we not prepared TO maintain that when
aman is mad he ought to be let alone and not to be
placed under guardian. Nor are we ready to as
se.t that when parties, whether families or nations,
cannot, or do not, govern themselves well and or
derby, then they ought TO be let alone and suffered
10 go on-a nuisance to themselves and to their
neighbors, and disgrace TO the world. There may,
therefore, be cases where "foreign interference"
becomes necessary and just. Such a case, we be-
eve, is presented in the case of the blacks of
Hsyti. These people evidently incapable of self
government and il would be more conducive TO
their happiness if they were subjected to even an
iron yoke of desposm, than to be lett they are,
destroying each other and exhibiting horrid spec
tacle OF crime and cruelty under the name and pre-
text Of independence.
But while are willing to recognize the prlnc-
pie that foreign interference with the affairs other
nations is sometimes necessary and just, we hold
that ii we are wise, and if our statesmen are wise,
to whom is committed the high trust ofdealing with
foreign natpns shall be careful TO act upon
tain principles OF policy which situation creates
and renders necessary for own security and ex-
istence. These principles are
lst. Motto suffer the powers Of Europe, on any
pretence, themselves up asarbiters of the des
tiny of nations in this hemisphere.
"a. Where interference may be necessary, to in
terere ourselves rather than TO leave II TO the dis
tant nations Of Europe 10 do 50.
The second principle flows from the first for, if
interference is in any case necessary then, since
must, or, at least, will interfere, il ought
10 be Us; and if we refuse or neglect 10 do SO, we
invite them by our neglect.
The question we now discussing is Of para
mount Importance at the present crisis. 1t will soon
become the great and absorbing question of the po-
ltics, not Of our country alone, but OF the whole
world. Il IS especially important TO US now, because
in our immediate neighborhood there are, at least,
Two independent nations that cannot govern them
selves, Hayti and Mexico. What is to be done If
we stand stl, Europe will take them in hand. Will
il be good American policy to suffer Europe thus TO
seize upon the whole Western hemisphere, except
the United States, and thus hem US in We think
not. Butin South America, Europe has begun this
policy She may be expected pursue it with regard
to Mexico. and If we lie still, where will she stop
We shall see.