Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-02-21

nsneed, s found % not only ready for the
issue. but ripe for The blessings Of SELF.
But the colonies Of Spanish descent had
not served, ~ we had done, the appren-
ticeship Of liberty; and when they were
suddenly called to dissolve their original
political connection, and to reconstruct
their civil institutions, they encountered
difficulties which seemed at times to threat
en- the overthrow Of all their hopes. Their
state Of transition Is not yet fully over; but
they will struggle on till their work is
crowned with success. In the meantime
il is equally our policy and our duty 10 pre-
serve the continent as free from European
influence Is Is compatible with the acknowl-
edged principles Of the laws Of nations
Tie community Of states inhabiting il have
interests Of their own, independent Of the
peculiar state Of things which is establish
e: in Europe. There is here no question
touching the joint rights Of others-none
Of interfering with the colonial possessions
Of the European powers-none of denying
their right 10 establish all the relations Of
peace they please with this continent, nor
Of changing these to relations Of war when
they think just cause of war exists, follow
ed, in that case, by all the rights which q
state Of hostilities brings with it.
But it is question Of Supplying to America an
artificial system built up in Europe within the
last century and half, which the most careless
observer of history well knows has neither di.
min;shed the number nor the extent Of wars, nor
increased the stability Of independent states,
promoted the happiness Of mankind. A system
Of power built up in reality for the maintenance
faaintaining necessary political equilibrium
Now, sir, hope we shall be satisfied with our
own good things, without preaching any system
Of political proragandism. II other people PR .
fer monarchical TO republican institutions, so be
l.. We have no right to quarrel with their de-
cison, however much we may differ from their
views. The world is wide enough for them and
US. But we have Alright to expect that no undue
means be taken, under any pre:ence whatever, TO
assail the existing institutions upon this hemis-
phere, or to exert any influence 10 change them,
or to interfere At all with its political condition
This is the object Of the Senator from Ohio: and
Il is an object worthy Of the attention and action
Of conpess, and Of the appreciation ofthe ceun-
Try. a
Why need We b 80 peculiarly sensitive
upon this question: for gee It has excl
ted some sensation in variaus quar;c-s.-
No one doubts our right to respond to the
declaration Of the President. No one can
dispute its importance. No gentleman, /
am sure, upon the floor Of the Senate. has
the least wish to conciliate England by a
self-restraining policy. Mild words, we are
ted by the wise man, turn away WRATH
1t may be SO; but they never yet turned
away cupidity or ambition. l do not see
that the English statesmen are very regard
ful Of the feelings Of this country. either in
the measures they adopt, OF in the language
they employ. Lord John Russell, who has
recently been called to the head Of the Bri-
fish administration, but which position he
could not hold, in his comments upon the
Presidents declaration respecting Oregon,
in April last, clustering; and did not OBJ
serve that this coarse epithet drew upon
the speaker the least censure from Parlia-
ment, or the people, or the press. ! have
seen no such epithet applied here 10 the
language Of the British Queen, nor even
Of the British cabinet, though my expert
ence tells me that, had such been the case,
there is many . journal in this country
which would have visited it with strong
Tebuke. But Lord John Russell lays him.
self liable to = severe retcrt when he says
!, that very speech, /" For my own part, |
will say, in all moderation, that am not
prepared to say that this country ought to
put forward any arrogant pretensions."
Precious moderation, this! What can
be more arrogant than to claim moderation
because country is not prepared to put for
yard arrogant Prstensions? II this be the
moderation Of England, what would be her
arrogance?
Look at the state Of things in Brazil!-
The treaty between that country and Eng.
land on the subject of the right Of search
has expired. But has tie right expired
also? Il has, but not the practice. Eng
land yet stops, with the strong hand, Bra
lillian ships, wherever she finds them. in
t!opica! attitudes, and seizes and sends
the;n 70 her own courts Of admiralty for
condemnation. And this in utter contempt
q all the laws regulating the rights Of in
dependent nations. S4#ss
i allude to all these facts, sir, because
they ought to " arm US Of our duty, l allude
to them, in despite Of the charge, which
has been. and viii again be nade--out Of
the Senate; not in it-of desire to excite
undue prejudice against England. / have
no such desire. But l have desire, that
my own country should be aware Of her
true position, and should be prepared to
meet her responsibility. whatever difficult
ties may beset her paih-prepared, sir. in
head, in hand, and 10 heart. Yes, cir, not
withstanding the severe commentaries
which casual expression Of the honorable
Senator from Ohio has encountered from a
portion Of the public press, will repeat
the expression prepared in the heart. Fer
It war should come, which may Providene .
avert, ] trust the hearts Of our countrymen
will be prepared for the struggle it will
bring. There is no better preparation, nor
any surer cause or augnry Of success.
When read the Presidents message.
SIR, ] found four principal statements or
suggestions which seemed to me to render
our relations with England exceedingly
critical; - critical, indeed, - to demand
the immediate attention and action Of Con.
gTess. and the solemn consideration Of the
country. The PreSident dated in .fE.ot