Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-06-03

the appropriation for their pay similar debate In the
House Of Representatives Although nothing could be done
which would not here for sanction before it could be
binding, although the OF nothing but moral power
edtated although the whole thing resolved itself into
tua conferences friendly consultation about the common
good and the common prosperity yet in that debate was
earnestly contended that such step full of danger that
II fearful departure from established policy that our
interests best protected and promoted by avoiding all al
ances and enangements with foreign Powers and few gem
uemen advocated this policy OF even Tor the
purpose of consultation decidedly than the President
His opinions left record and there be shades of
difference between the member from Tennessee and the Pre-
sdeni, anxious for wider fame, the change of position
may possibly account for it. If the Senate will be little pa
tent will read few paragraphs from the second volume Of
the Register Of Debates, second part
"Mr. Polk offered the following
Resolved That is the constitutional right and duty OF
the House OF Representatives when called tor approra
tons dey the expenses OF foreign missions to deliberate
the expedency nexpedency OF such MISSIONS and de-
and thereon in their judgment may be
ducive TO the public good.
Resolved That the Of this House that the send
ing of ministers the part OF the United States take part in
deliberations of the Congress Of South American nations
Panama would be total departure from the uniform course Of
policy pursued by this Government the adoption OF the
federal constitution the PERIOD and might and in all
probability would tendency involve the nation in
tangng alliances and endanger the neutrality and relations OF
amy and peace which at present happily ubs between the
United and the belgeren Powers old Spain and the
Southern republics of this continent
q Resolved therefore, That it nexpedient to send minis
ters the part the United States take part in the debe-
raons Of the said Congress South American nations Pa
defray the expenses Of said mission 8 Seato,s De
5a,esis Congress, p. 2l66, Tuesday, .lril II, 1896.
This sir was the opinion Of the President when member
of Congress that it would endanger the peace and safety Of
these United States be represented in that Congress- and
that the whole thing entirely inexpeden and while he
held this he also held that Congress under obligation
TO make the necessary appropriation for minister duly
pointed will read also from speech delivered by the
gentleman in the House upon the subject He says:
The proposed mission to Panama was without precedent
a ne beSti
This language sir is very happily adapted the present
OCCASIONS very emphatic and full Of meaning. He
tinues:
ssThis said Mr. P is portentous and very important
crisis in the history OF this country and patriot should
be at his post We about depart from ancient and
plain republican simplicity, and become great and splen
did Government projects set foot called
upon by the President change the whole policy of the
try adopted by fathers and happily pursued by their
men, before they abandoned the present policy of
country to ponder well what they about to do 24S
Sir hope this opinion Of the President then will be
without its influence this body Ponder well what
about to do. One sentence more, and have done
Before he concluded (Mr. p. sadly he would say word
in relation the pledge Mr. Monroes declaration which it
said the nation had regard 10 the South American
policy When the message of the late President of the Uni
ted States communicated to Congress 1885, view
ed shoud have been, the expression opinion
OF the Executive submitted TO the consideration and debera
ton OF Congress and designed probably produce effect
upon the councils of the Holy Alliance, relation their
supposed intention interfere in the Spain
her former colonies That effect probably had
producing and If has performed its Office. The Pres
dent had power bind nation by such pledge The
sound and sober judgment of the people of the United States
has not been brought the conclusion that could
event make common with the republics OF the South
involve ourselves the caamtes of their behalf All
our sympsthies, all our good feeling, with them
wished them but sepreseaon the first law of
nature and OF nations. We then, he hoped still
were, unprepared 10 depart from settled policy As
strong evidence of what the opinions this House then
had submitted resolution responding the sentiments of the
message OF the President The Greek resolution submit
ted too at the same session by the honorable member from
Massachusetts the fever was up; seemed TO be them if
we ever had BEEN prepared go political crusade in be-
half OF others The sober judgment Of the House nerposed
the Greek resolution shared its fate and upon the table
Mr. CLAY clearly that the fate inevitably await
ed his South American resolution, with only this difference
that would probably have been negaved by much more
overwhelming majority II was called up."-p. 24S9
might, sir, read much advice and argument from the
speeches of the President equally important for the cautious
admonitions contained in them What pray the Senate
consider, called forth these warnings these forebodngs
evil This great alarm excited by proposal send to
the republics Of South America diplomatic funconares
clothed simply with the power TO consult and confer together
for the peace, safety and prosperity Of the free Governments
Of this continent The President then great danger
any departure, however incondeae from the old and safe
policy Of non-inievenon He feared only all enangng
alliances, but all association whatever and evidently holds
to be triumph that the resolution Of Mr. Clay response
to Mr. Monoes declaration, defeated and that the
luton offered by Mr. Webster regard the Greeks shared
the same fate The fever (says the Presidency then
up Yes SIR, the fever of sympathy with nations struggling
for their freedom and other They weak feeble
Powers, IT is true making great figure in this noisy world
but still liberty dear to them to Frenchmen, and
they conended manuy for it and achieved it without the
eounenance Of the President The declaration Of Mr. Mon
roe Is couched in not be inexperienced. lis
force and validity justly denied, and is placed the foot
ing OF an Executive opinion called forth by the combination
oil the Holy Alliance but having performed its Office, which
amounted TO nothing, as obligatory upon nobody
substantially, in 1925, obsolete There truth in this Mr.
President 1t dead, buried, and forgotten until the Prc
dent dug up, breahed into new e and now declares
to be Executive opinion though is and nothing more the
established policy Of the country His language in his
sage OF April 49, ls4s in regard to the dominion and
ereign,y Of Yucatan, follows
yet according to established policy could
sent TO transfer Of this dominion sovereignty Yucca
tan either SPAIN Great Britain or any other European
Power In the language Of President Monroe his message
December 1885, we should consider any attempt their
part to extend their system any portion Of this hemisphere
dangerous TO peace and safety In annual message
OF December, 1845 declared that near quarter OF CEN
fury ago the principle distinctly announced TO the world
an the annual message OF predecessors that the
American continents by the free and independent condition
which they have assumed and maintain henceorh
be considered as subjects for future colonization by Euro
pean Power This principle win apply with greatly ncreas
ed orce should any European Power attempt establish
new colony IN North America In the existing circumstances
OF the world the present deemed proper rete
state my cordial concurrence 10 its wisdom and sound policy"
Sir have no, strength pursue this subject the read
ing Of the opinions Of 1926 and those Of 1s45 and sfs
when became necessary to justify the Executive policy in
regard to Texas Oregon and Yucaan will present the