Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-05-06
THE PRESIDENTS YUcATAN MESSAGE.


H. Both Houses OF CONGRESS- were surprised by 4
message from the President Of the United States OH
Saturday last upon the subject of the affairs OF YU-
cATAN, one of the Provinces Of the Republic Of
MEXICO, recommending nothing very distinctly on
the subject Of the intestine war now existing in
that Province, but, the reader will observe upon
reading the Message, referring the subject to Con-
gress with an invitation to that branch Of the Gov
ernment to take some order in relation 10 it.
The course which the President has thought fit
to pursue on this subject is so much more conso-
nant to the spirit of institutions, and so much
more clearly within the line of the Executive au-
thorly and duty, than that taken by him in bring
ing OH the war with the Mexican Confederacy, or
that taken by his immediate predecessor in inyolv-
ing the United States in the annexation Of Texas
both those acts having been done vithom the pre-
we have q -nshR to- tongrataiate- Conecess. and,
through Congress, the People, upon having their
constitutional rights in the Government IN this re-
spect at least restored to them. It is subject for
just congratulaton that this atonement has been
made to our violated Constitution without Reyo-
luton or even an Impeachment.
With regard to the views expressed by the Presi-
dent as to the duty of this Government concerning
other Governments on either continent of Amer
lea, should, perhaps, had the President confined
himself to Humanity as the proposed ground of'ac-
ton, have had nothing to say, though we do see
difficulties in the way Of any interference by the
United States which appear TO be little less than
insupelable. But, when the President, to induce
Congress to employ the arms Of the United States
on the side of Yucatan, resorts TO the same argu-
ments which he has heretofore urged for the ruthless
invasion Of Mexico, tthe mother country of this
same Yucatan,) we feel ourselves bound to pEQest
against the assumption of any such policy as "es-
tablished or" settled, in this Government, as that
il is to be the GRAND PaoTECToR of all the Powers
of this continent. On this point we have hereto
fore so frequently and freely expressed our sent-
menls, and especially on The 29th of last June in
an historical and argumentaive review of President
MoNRoEs alleged policy and President PoLK's
pretensons that we shall not at this moment, when
stirring events crowd upon in such quick success
sion, reerate the considerations which we then had
occasion to address 10 our readers.
We shall content ourselves with repeating here the
quotation which we then made Of Mr. PoLK's own
views Of the policy Of Intervention in the affairs of
our neighbors, expressed by him in the prime of
his life, in his place as a member Of tile House Of
Representatives Of the United States, in the debate
upon proposition by former Administration to
appsins ministers to represent tts couutry in a
Congress Of AmeHcan nations. TO be held at Pana-
ma, for the purpose Of consultation upon the inter-
ess common TO all. Whatever is 10 be found in
the PRESIDENTS message Of this day on that head
must be acknowledged 10 be forestalled by what is
contained in the following extract from Mr.. PoLx's
speech in Congress twenty years ago.
IRON MR.. PoLK's SPEECH on THE PANAMA MISSION.
He had voted for il "a resolution adverse the message
because he believed decaaoy of that uniform
Of policy happily pursued by the Government, from the
adoption Of the constitution the present period because it
was he conceived still the policy the country and
because, being opposed he was, The proposed mission
the Congress Of Panama, under any circumstances he wish
ed to signify the President and his Cabinet by distinct
expression opinion by the popular branch the Legislature
Of the Unon the views which they entertained Of THE rRrE
roLIcr or THE COUNTRY. That object had been effected BY
the Of yesterday. BY that distinctly
ed by majority of the House, their opinion that po-
Icy with foreign nations the that laid down
by WAsHIsGToS, in his Farewell Address the American
People that no circumstances had occurred in foreign
relations in the political connexions OF other Powers with
each ohe which authorized 10 change hqt policy or 10
hazard The experiment IF We had distinctly de-
carcd opinion BY the adoption Of that amendment,
that our policy now il had been, 10 observe
strict neutrality between all beigerent Powers that IN
tending our coamsrcaf reiq0as Nth foreign nations ,cs
sbou hare tci them EHk political coHnerion pos
ssiLe; that should preserUe peace, commerce, and
f,tedship ,ch all nations and form entanging alliances
'rth nont !; that sd0aa not torm any alliance gfen-
sire Or deteasire negotiate respecting sueh alliance,
,cM all oy any II he South american Repsbics
siouH IRE become parties ,cah them, either Of them,
q any o - ~ ~ ,'ro5sa, 80 pJ p,.i y .l s M
dependence form Of g0rernmen J; 10 any compact
r tie purpose Of pyereing co6nisatiJn the continent
'of America These sentiments, Mr. p said, which
he most willingly subscribed However strong his sympahes
might be in favor Of liberty and republican Institutions ia
whatever part Of the world they might make their appearance
the peace, tie qpe and prosperity o his country
paramount 70 eoery other consideration
DEATH or SENATOR ASHLEY or Arkansas.