Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-07-03

e Representatives. 81 The People by which, instead Of
saning that freedom Of action which now possess
shall bind ourselves in certain to pursue certain
course whatever those to whom the Of the
Try may then have been committed shall think the honor
interest OF the country may require by which, in the Ian
guage Of the Father of his Country shall quit
stand foreign ground No-thank Heaven-a policy
50 opposite 70 all the feelings Of The american Peoph-so
adrerse Irrniy beEere to be- 10 lis true interests has
friend, al least adrocate this foor IT. by any
of we contribute to It's adoption, will be (and derive
infinite satisfaction from the convicon through mistaken
belief that the Of which speak not contemplated
by the Executive"
"The next subject proposed by the President is the ntu
enee our Representatives. al The proposed Congress may hare
in promoting Tie advancement Of religious liberty. Upon
this subject he says:
There yet another subject upon which, without enter
ing into any treaty. the moral influence Of the United States
may perhaps be exerted, with beneficial consequences
such meeting-the advancement of religious liberty Some
oi the southern nations yet far under the do
minion OF prejudice that they have incorporated with their
pohcdf constitutions exclusive church, without toea
ton OF any other than the dominant sect The abandon
ment of this last bae Of religious bgory may be pressed
more efecuay by the united exerions of those who
cur in the principles OF freedom of conscience upon those
who yet to be convinced of their Justice and wisdom,
than by the solitary efforts of Minister any one of the
separate Governments"
The strong ground upon which this has been placed
by the committee would render any thing like elaborate
discussion OF by nexcusahle. THAT the Apostolic
Roman Catholic religion shall be the religion of the State
among the foremost articles in all the Constitutions of the
Spanish American States, in the late Constitution of
Old Spain. II is not to be doubted that Of the leaders
Old Spa during the Constitutional Government snd the
Patriots who achieved the Independence of Spanish America
were just and liberal in their religious they have shown
themselves to have been in their political principles. 1t
within the laws of character like theirs be the advocates
of intolerance of any description is therefore, but fair
presume that exerons in favor of religious oeraon were
omitted from conviction that they could have been made
without disturbing the public feeling extent injurious, if
not destructive to the great object Of the Revolution"
On the same subject, out of Senator IT, H. BEN
TONS speech against the measure we will only cite
one passage:
The subject mentioned in the message is that of re-
igon The President expresses opinion that our Minis
tiers at Panama be instrumental in eflecng change
the Constitutions Of the Republics favorable to the
of religious liberty. He says:
Some of the Southern nations are even yet so far un-
der the dominion of prejudice that they incorporated
with their political constitutions exclusive church, with
out liberation OF any other than the dominant The
Abandonment of this last badge Of religious bigotry and op
presson may be pressed more eectualy by the united
ertons OF those who concur in the principles of freedom of
conscience than by the solitary efforts of Minister at any
: one Of the separate Governments, &c.
Ths, Mr. President is the declaration of direct intention
interfere with the internal affairs of the Spanish American
States The President proposes effect an amendment in
their political constitutions of their fundamental and
valued articles. This act which he has no right
do and which intended Ministers cannot attempt with
out giving just Of offence admit that the President
may recommend to- us amendment in our Constitution
and should be glad him do in certain particular
but deny TO him any right 10 propose amendments 10 the
Constitutions foreign nations. 1t is true sir that he pro-
poses the mdest mole of operation, that of oral uc
but this is forbidden by the law of nations The books
forbid it expressly Listen to Vattel
"t the business Of the nation alone to judge all dis
putes relating TO Its Government No foreign
power has right to interfere If any intrude
into the domestic affairs of another nation and attenDt TO
INFLUENCE its deEberationS they do INJURY -
Book l. chap 4, sec. 81
Nearly the whole array, the ban and arriere-
ban," of the Jacksonian party took the field in this
long debate; among others, gentleman not then
in debate, but already marked for
partyism, and now exalted by fortunate intrigue
TO the highest public station. We speak of Mr.
Polk, who opposed the resolutions in favor of the
Mission, voted for adverse ones, and spoke as fol-
lows of this adverse amendment
He had voted for because he believed was decaratory
Of that uniform Of policy happily pursued by the
Government from the adoption Of the Constitution the pre-
period because it was, he conceived still the true
policy of the country and BECAUSE being opposed he was
the proposed mission the Congress Of Panama under
any circumstances he wished To signify to the President and
his Cabinet by distinct expression of opinion by the popular
branch OF the Legislature of the Union, the views which they
entertained Of the true policy Of the country That object
had been effected by the vote Of yesterday By that vote
distinctly announced by majority Of the House, as their
opinion that policy with foreign nations the same now
thai laid down by Washington in his Farewell Address 10
The American People, that circumstances had occurred in
foreign relations in the political connexions of other
Powers with each other which authorized US 10 change that
policy, hazard the experiment Of one We had
distinctly declared opinions, by the adoption of that
that policy now, had been to
observe strict neutrality between all beligerent Powers
hat ia extending commercial relations ih foreig,
nations, shouH hare wh them Title political con-
nerion possibe; that shouH preerUe peace cora-
mercc, and friendship IcM all nations, and torn euta,,.
Cling alliances cah ? that should MT form anu
alliance oeSire deasre, negotiate respecting such
IN alliance, ~ all or any Of The South american Repub-
lies ? should ne become parties ,ch hen or either
ottem TO any joint declaration fr Tie purpose of pre-.
renting the interference Of any Of the European Po,cers