Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-07-03
.rnoM THE LYNcHBuRG vIneINIAN.

readers whole. attention the following article.
80 yFnoM THE LYScHBuRG yIRGINIAN.
THE CONTINENTAL BALANCE OF POWER.
The Union" has hit upon new justification
Of the Administration in making war upon Mexico,
and justification which either changes entirely the
original ground of defence, admits that this coun-
try was the aggressor. 1t seems now that Paroles
was at heart Monarchst, seeking to substitute for
a republic the sway of scion Of some European
dynasty; and so we sent Gen. TAYLOR to the Rio
Grande to prevent it; and, for the purpose of Sc
curing Republican. Government to Mexico, we
help ourselves to six seven of her provinces
in order that the remainder might not be worth the
acceptance of any Crown Prince of Europe!
Now it really does seem that our most rational
course would have been to aid one faction against
another, and thus by open abby such aid as
France 1ertapped upon aa.able t,sr fssfr=hl i;
cans to withstand the despotic designs of Europe.
How we are promoting the interest of free prin-
ciples by overrunnng Mexico, confscatng her reve-
nues sequesterng her church property, Staying her
citizens and soldiers, is notquite apparent. seems
most singular method of recommending our insti-
tutions TO others.
But the " Union" has disinterred dictuna of
Mr.. MONROE, in which he deprecates the interfer-
ence of foreign Powers with the Governments Of
i
the principle to North America" has determined
that there shall be change Of institutions in Mexi
co that she shall be subiugated by our own arms,
and by those Of no other Power.
Now this is the most alarming system which even
this most original and unique Administration has
ever devised. 1t is to be, it seems, our duty to
guaranty the Republicanism of the continent! We
are not only to sustain our own freedom but we are
to see that the Indians Mulattoes, Mestizoes, and
Lazzaroni, from the Rio Grande to Cape Horn are
g to be and remain free and independent" We
are, word, to tolerate foreign intervention
Do these gentlemen seriously consider what they
propose Will they conure up that chimera-
I" the balance of power which mpelled England
for more than century to subsidize one-half the
continent of Europe and war with the other which
has created, for the most part, her immense debt,
and has exhausted and weakened her more than
any cause whatsoever! Are we to keep Ministers
at foreign courts who TO eves-drop and suborn,
that they may know every movement amongst the
minons and mistresses of the corrupt courts of Eu
rope-to protest against marriages and demonstrate
against divorces, lest the dover or alimony or in
heritance should be paid in the supreme govern
ment of some transatlantic dependency Are we
to be implicated in all the despicable ntricaces of
European diplomacy, to prevent any undue nfu-
the freedom of our enlightened and virtu-
Gus neighbors, from Mexico to Patagonia Shall
we pay hundred and fifty millions to prevent
Mexico from having king, and enlist standing
army of fifty Thousand 70 aeep the peace Of the
continent?
Such was never the intention of Mr. MONROE, or
of any one of the wise and pure men who preceded
him. His idea was that the European Powers pro-
posed the re-establshment OF colonial monarchy
over the emancpated dependencies Of South Anne
RIGA by force, but he never contemplated, we infer
from his oUn language, the voluntary adoption by
people so unworthy of liberty of any form of des-
potism TO which their crimes and their folles might
incline them. And should any of them determine
TO invite over monarch tomorrow, it would be a
departure from the wise and independent policy
which has made us what we are TO 90 to war with
province SO inclined, to conquer and annex her to
prevent her adopting form Of Government incon-
sistent with our own.
If this has been heretofore our policy, how comes
it that we have Minister at the court Of that he
redltary monarchy, Brazil! Why did Mr.. Mon
ROE permit, without remonstrance, the establish
meni OF that Imperial Government with lis nineteen
provinces, almost equal to half South America in its
wealth and territory! And why was DIR. FRANcIA
allowed TO establish cruel despotism over Para
quay, dsregarding alike the rights of his own sub
Jects and the amenities of national intercourse
This balance OF power, this guaranty Of Repub-
lcanism, is evidently new device to Justify the
war with Mexico, and as a distinct indication of
proposed policy of the administration of Mr..
POLK deserves examination. For, if it be either a
iusf or Wtse policy, Mr.. Polk should not re-
strict 1t TO the quod reSidt Of Mexico, after we
shall have ioreclosed our mortgage for the expenses
OF the war. To preserve Republicansm i'll that
comparatively small remnant would be an insight
hcant consideration, since we should be in no more
harm thanked by monarchical province on the
South than by the Canadas on the North but if it
be our duty, and our destiny, to assume to our
selves the title of " Defenders of the Republican
faith upon the Continent" why should we permit
asinge monarchical dependence to exist! Why
not Immediately protest against the British possess
sion OF Canada, proclaim general guaranty of free
government 10 all the West India Islands, and mott
iy Russia that her domain must change lis rulers
or its institutions Now, this would be degree
OF folly Of which even the present Administration
would not be guilty.
But, il the enforcement Of this system, within the
alr-drawn limits to which Mr.. Polk has restricted"
II, be nstlgaed by regard to our national safety
or interest; if we are to be endangered by the pow
or or injured by the commercial policy of monarch
ical Governments would it not be better to protest
against their introduction any ywhere upon the con-
tinent! Our commerce with Mexico, before she
was invaded or dismembered, was lin 1881 Just
equal to that with Brazil; whilst our commerce
al al 90 S.,,, A