The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-02-12

erland in eternal turmoil, and which sent
French army into Spain 70 put down the
spirit of liberty, and an Austrian army to.
Italy for tho same purpose and which watch
es and wards Of the very first instincts Of
human nature TO meliorate its social and
political condition.
understand the measure proposed by the
senator from Ohio is protes, against the
establishment of new and dangerous prin-
ciple, affecting ourselves, and with US, the
other independent nations inhabiting this
continent. 1t does not necessarily involve
any question Of war. Such a protest is
common mode Of procedure in the inter-
course of nations. Ii is the exclusion Of a
conclusion. It is saying to the world, that
the government making the protest does not
recognise certain claim or principle, and
does not intend to be bound by it. II COM
mits such government TO no specific course
of action. II merely expresses its dissent,
leaving to future circumstances its conduct,
should the protest be found inefficient.
Mr.. President, we shall lose nothing at
home or abroad, now or hereafter, by estab-
lishig and maintaining an American policy
"a policy decisive in its spirit, moderate in
its tone, and just in its objects-proclaimed
and supported firmly, but temperately. Pro-
vidence has placed us at the head of the
family of nations upon this continent. We
have passed safely through the great revolu-
tionary trial from colonial 10 an independent
condition We entered upon il with great
advantages. The principles of true freedom
were brought by our forefathers TO the New
World, and when the struggle for indepen-
dence commenced, il found US not only
ready for the issue, but ripe for the blessings
of selfgovernment. But the colonies Of
Spanish descent had not served, as we had
done, :he apprenticeship of liberty; and
when they were suddenly called to dissolve
their original political connexion, and TO re-
construct their civil institutions, they encoun-
tered difficulties which seemed at times to
threaten 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 it
is equally cur policy and our duty 10 preserve
the costnent as free from European influence
as is compatible with the acknowledged
principles of the laws of nations. The COM
munity of states inhabiting it have interests
of their own, independent of the peculiar
state ofthings which is established in Europe.
There is here no question touching the
joint rights of others-none Of interfering
with the colonial possession of the European
powers-none Of denying their right to es-
tablish 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, followed, in that case,
by all the rights which state of hostiEties
brings with it. But it is question Of ap-
plying TO America an artificial sysem built
up in Europe within the last century and
hall, which the most careless observer ofhs-
tory we'll knows has neither diminished the
number nor the extent of wars, nor increased
the stability Of independent states, nor
promoted the happiness of mankind. A
system of power built up in reality for the
maintenance Of monarchical institutions,
under the guise Of maintaining necessary
political equilibrium. Now, sir, hope we
shall be satisfied with our own good things,
without preaching any system of political
propagandism. If other people prefer mon
archical to republican institutions, so be it.
We have no right to quarrel with their de-
cision, however much we may differ from
their views. The>world is wide enough for
them and us. But we have right 10 expect
that no undue means be takenp under any
pretenee whatever TO assail the existing in
stitutions upon this hemisphere, or to exert
any influence to change them, or TO inter
iere at all with its political condition. This
is the objects ofthe senator from Ohio; and
it is an object worthy Of the attention and
action of Congress, and Of the appreciation
of the country.
When read the Presidents message, sir,
I found four principal statements or sugges-
tions which seemed to me to render our re-
ations with England exceedingly critical; !;
so critical, indeed, as to demand the lmme-
date attention and action of Congress, and
the solemn consideration of the country
The President stated, in effect, that the
negotiations with England on the subject of
Oregon were closed; that we had clear
title to the whole of it, that the years not
ice for the termination Of the convention
ought 10 be given; and that we should then
take exclusive possession of The whole
country. / do not quote the wordsy but
these are substantially the views Of the Pre-
sident. Now, sir, it was clear to me that
here was a state Of things which might we'll
excite the solicitude of any man in the un-
prepared condition Of the country. And yet
what walls of wrath have been poured out
upon the heads of all the senators whose
measures really tended to avert war by pre-
pairing for it, The mails are loaded with
abusive anonymous letters, because they