Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-18

mainly, the world, under such circumstances,
would laugh it to scorn As to the declaration
OF Mr. Monroe, il was intended to apply 10 the
state OF things then existing this continent
and to the condition Of Europe at the time.
That peculiar state Of things had passed by, Tho
holy alllance--ihe combination OF the great pow-
ers Of Europe 10 control all The powers of Eu-
rope--had ceased TO exist One of those pow
ers was Spain--who was seeking to recover her
American possessions. Mr.. Monroe had salts
fed himself that the Spanish American States
would maintain their independence, and there
fore declared that they should not De disturbed
by any foreign power bic then declared
what ?-why that the combined powers Of Eu-
rope should not be permitted TO reclaim domin-
ion over these States. What he had said, in
fact was that the Holy Alliance should not as
sumo TO dispose Of American States, That sys-
TEN, he declared, should not be extended 10 this
continent. But Mr.. Monroe never set up the
pretension that this country was to undertake to
be tho protector and regulator of all the Ameri-
can States, He never intended 10 abandon the
old Washington policy of non-inlerven'ion.--
Some people have an idea that his declaration
was against monarchy, that he never meant TO
tolerate monarchy on the continent, but 1t was
very far from being the fact Others commended
that the declaration forced 10 psevent any coll
onizalon in America. How have we carried out
this principle? Why, we have allowed a NON
archy to coonze half of Oregon, after having
declared that our title to the whole of Oregon was
clear and unquesllonahe. How did that COM
pare with this declaration?
Mr.. flanagan asked the Senator how it hap
pened that he voted for that treaty, if our title
was clear and unquesionable?
Mr.. Ni,es-I did not say that | thought our
title clear and unquestlonable; but this re-
marRable case of departure from the declaration.
We had departed from it too, he said on the &C.
casion Of giving up third OF the State of Maine,
by the Ashburton treaty, when, in his opinion,
our title was clear and unquestonable. We
have suffered Great Britain also 10 acquire the
large province of the Baize, the most valuable
part of Yucatan. So, one third of Yucatan, and
the best part, was already gone into British pos
session. Further south, Great Britain had been
permitted to purchase territory from the King
of Mosquito country. In Venezuela and in
GUIANA the British had acquired immense pos
sessions, and our government never sent di-
pomatic note to say that these things would not
do. 1t was too late TO take such high ground as
this for it was ground that we could not main
tain We permitted the subjoined Intervention
in the affairs OF La Plata. Ali these things had
taken place since 1924, and now for the first time
we were told that we must seize upon Yucatan-
not protest against the suspected intention Of
Great Britain-not negotiate-oh no we must
seize upon and occupy Yucatan, or forfeit our
honor a nation (Which was committed entire
ly to The support Of our position as the regulator
OF affairs on this continent.
But, again, there was not one fact upon which
we could assume that England was to seize up
on fucatan. But suppose England should in-
tertere! Have we any right TO complain? 1t
might not be an aggressive interference. Eng
land and Spain have been requested as well as
ourselves to Interfere; and Spain had already
sent two ships of war to aid the inhabitants.
Mr. Niles also argued that our intervention
would do no good unless we eXtermnate the H.
dams for soon as our protection should be
Withdrawn, they would return and renew their
war of determination. So, he was opposed to
the bill, both on the ground of humanity and pol
icy.
think it likely that the bill will pass in the
form now proposed to be given to it, by the end
of the week.