The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-10-06

think the occupaon of Yucaan by us necessary TO keen
of the hands of European powers. that
could, except under very extraordinary circumstances, be
induced advocate the military occupation of country for
such purpose But if movements Of foreign pow
this continent, and especially neghbor
hood which suspicious, have right to call them.
through the ordinary channels Of diplomatic intercourse
know what their objects and we do not receive frank
and satisfactory answesf have believe that
those objects violation of the great principles of
tenaonal right dangerous to tranquility,
our interests we may properly take such Of
caution prevention the exigency Of the shall
quire do not undertake-ndeed might not be very
easyto assign the precise Of provocaton which
resistance might be rghtfuy carried Every emergency
must be left to be determined by wise and considerable
gard to ITS attending But of the existence of
such right of resistance grounds of international law
do not entertain the slightest doubt
And here, Mr. President, must ask the indulgence of
the Senate while look hastily the and origin Of
the right Every sovereign State be considered under
two aspects the first its interior relations the
aons which exist between the governing the governed
or In other words between the government and the pso-
pie the second its exterior relations
lions with foreign States.
The first class only ordinarily the subject of internal or
municipal regulation. The constitution of the United
States for instance regulates the relations the federal gov
to the States and the people scarcely touches
the exterior relations Of the country, excepting far
declares IN what departments the powers Of making
peace, and treaties and appointing ambassadors shall
Now, 1t Is quite apparent that there numerous of
exterior relations wholly untouched by the constitutions
not always regulated by treaty stipuaons. They arise
of the natural rights and obligations of sovereign States
and regulated by usage, by the general international
law which has grown up and become sanctioned by the
acquiescence of all civilized communities. One of
sells, public private, go miles from the land
without becoming subject to an international code, not
founded upon the internal laws of States whether organic
or administrative not regulated ordinarily by treaty spu
atons between them but DID, nevertheless the Cono
at1 Del More and deriving it's force from public consent
ton Is bound to DO any other may call it perform
We cannot live in the general society of nations without
observing these rules ourselves consent that
they shall be violated by Others where safety
concerned There obligations of this sort appl-
cable to the land well the One Of these that
nation shall interfere with the internal of apohe
As member of the greet family of nations a right
to insist that this rule shall be observed In all where
the rule the principle settled beyond dispute, any
Der of the general society of nations fully warranted
in calling upon any other member respect any
Der of this confederacy authorized call upon another
observe the obligations OF the fundamental compact The
only question that of practical prudence
how far shall deem it expeden nterpose prevent
breach of international obligations have always con-
tended that even for this purpose ought not interfere
with the movements of European powers, when those
movements relate to questions strictly European And
have lnssted with the earncsncss that there should
be interference their with the internal Of
the independent States in this hemisphere especially in
our neighborhood, involved interests political and
commercial, in their tranquility and exemption from
domestic agitations.
If asked for the origin of the right on our part to in
tepose for the purpose of preventing breach of ntena
ona obligations refer again the general code by which
all civilized States governed As to the mode, have
nothing to say repeat, every emergency must be deter
Ii
sented. Whether shall nterpose all is question of
prudence question undoubtedly be disposed of with
the greatest deliberations when it proposed make it the
basis of practical conduct.
But do put Intervention in this case upon the
ground either Of resisting unauthorized interference the
part Of other nations, or of anticipating and preventing it,
place upon the peculiar circumstances which stand in
relation to which to to inn
us obligation independently of all considerations
even of humanity. We have taken possession of the
principal outlet Of trade in her chief staple product ons and
the principal inlet for the foreign commodities which she
ceved in exchange We have appropriated her
ourselves We went far impose duties her
products carried from of her ports another,
though, this ascertained to be the CASE d.
be Se wen Sy the v
her revenues but have imposed her people new
burdens by taxing the transit of articles which pre-
v0usly exempt from duty l do intend to intimate
that have done nythng deemed essential
ccssfu conduct of the In regard the which
we have collected at Laguna have endeavored ascer
tain the amount but learn that the accounts kept IN
connexion with other receipts and disbursements, that
time required separate them The Navy Department,
however, been able that collect
ed has been between fifty and sixty thousand dollars for
portion of the last yeahe for the year being
complete. But this does show the that have
diverted from the treasury of Yucatan We all know that
war the great enemy of commerce. and must readily be
that the effect of hostile operations Mexico has
been to diminish the ability of Yucatan to meet the exgency
IN which she Is placed me, that If she had
other claim than hisn addition the consideration that
she has been neutral throughout the contest-she might
very properly call upon for aid. II from
motives of humanityf feel constrained regard this
question be determined according the coolest
and most rigid maxms of political prudence may not
lind, nevertheless, IN the circumstances have stated,
peal to our justice which cannot readily set aside
think so ana IL upon this ground chiefly that place my
support of this bill
In performing this act of justice, it grateful reflection
that we may also perform act of humanity that are
enabled to turn for the moment, from the painful duty of
assauling and oveunnng provincesa duty imposed
by the prosecution of hosities with Mexico-to the
congena office of exnguishng the flames of internal
dscord and of rcconcng classes which wagng against
each other extepninatDg Sir, cannot fancy
striking the social and political condition of
nations than that which exists between the United
States and Yucaanin the prosperity and tranquility of
The law pesdes here in her majesty spreading her broad
shield over ALL Industry and the ars helpless infancy de-
crep age life, liberty property, all that possess,
and CHERISH and hold DEAR protected by the power
moral opinion, which lies the foundation of the es,ab
ished order of government and society and uphods BOTH
If we turn to southern neighbour the whole picture is
reversed law, ORDER tranquility the friendly association
physical ties which render life desirable and human pos
secure have been ocby asunde towns and
villages have been given the hames and their wctcheu
inhabitants to the sword plantations have been ravased
houses sacked demolished burnt property pundered
where could DO carried away, and destroyed Wnero IL
could not; men, women and children, driven from en
homes indeed they fortunate TO escape ne Jury
OF their rcmorseless pursuers rush 10 the sea- o oPe "
finding passing vessel which may take them from the
olackened desoated land Sir this is mere outline OF
the picture of devastation which fucatan presents would
not If could undertake fill up with its loathsome and
revolving details do draw this sketch, imperfect
for the purpose making appeal to the sympathy OF
the Senate only present 1t for the purpose Of adding
final remark.
,h, alo he-