Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-02-05
FOREIGN INTERFER ENCE ON THE AMER
ICAN CONTINENT.

In the debate in the u S. Senate on Monday.
Mr. Cass gave commentary on that part of the
Presidents Message relating to foreign interior
ence on the American continent-an explanation
amounting substantially to backing out from the
position of the President Mr. Polk did not mean
tsays Mr. Cass) that foreign nations may not cole
nize and control their possessions on this con-
tlnent; he only intended to say that they should
not interfere with independtm nations on this con-
tlhent in short European nations may have what
they have got, but in all bargains, such as the
buying California, Mexico, and Cuba, theUnited
States must monopolize the right to purchase. We
should not wonder if some of these independent ma
tionS themselves were to have q word to say-per
haps to have the impotence Of claiming that they
will make bargains ,viih lrhtnl they please; being
quite as free and independent yankeedom itself
But how compares this doctrine with that of The
Locoloco party in 1896? At that time, when the
Panama Mission was in discussion, upon a resou
tion to pay the Minister, Mr.. McLane Jackson man
offered an amendment, declaring that
-"The House, in expressing this opinion, did moi
intend to sanction any departure from the settled
policy of this Government, in extending our com
mercial relations with foreign natlons that We
should have with them us little political connection
as possible; that ave should preserve peace, com
merce and friendship with all nations, and form en-
tangling alliances with none; that we should moi
form any alliances, offensive or defensive, or nego
tate respecting such alliances with all or any Of
the South American republics. 1t is therefore the
opinion of this House that the Government of the
United States ought not to be represented at the
Congress of Panama, except in diplomatic char
acter, nor ought they to form any alliance, oensv,
defensive, negotiate respecting such alliance
with all or any Of the South American republics
nor ought they TO become parties vih them, or eithe
Of them, 10 any joint declaration for the purpose
preventing he Interference Of any Of The Euoptal
PoWers ruth their independence or form Of gouern
ment or 10 any compact JorMe purpose Of prelentinl
colonization upon the continent d .4aiericd"
This was supported by the Locofoco party, in
Guiding James X. Polk, now President of the Unit
ed States, and james buchanan, his Secretary Q
State Indeed, on the same occasion Mr.. Pol
made a speech in which he used the following Ian
guage:
"We have declared it as our opinion, by tn
adoption Of the amendment that our policy wa
now, as it ever had been, to observe a strict neu
trality between all beligerent powers that in eX
tending our commercial relations with foreign ma
tons, we should have with them as little poitica
connection as possible; that we should 'preserv
peace, commerce and friendship with all nations
and form entangng alliances with none; that W
should not form any alliance, offensive or defen
sye, negotiate respecting such alliance with al
any of the South American republics;' nor shoul
we become parties with them, or either Of then
to any joint declaration for the purpose of prevent
ing the interference Of any of the European pow
ers with their independence or form Of government
or TO any compact for the purpose Of preventin
colonization on the continent OF America Thes
are sentiments, Mr.. p. said, to which he most hear
tily subscribed. However strong his sympathe
might be in favor Of liberty and republican institl
tions, in whatever part of the world they migf
make their appearance, the peace, the quiet an
prosperity of his country were paramount to ever
other consideration"
From oil this we learn that President Polk di
not exactly know what he did mean by his Mes
sage, and that in explaining his meaning he ha
stumbled directly upon doctrine which he and h
party solemnly repudiated in 1926.
The Bank of Black River, chartered by the Ia
legislature, has been located at Proctorsyille VIM