The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-08-31

and because feel confident that they are not prepared 10
support the preienslons of Great Britain
We have already gwen memorable example of
moderation to the world IN the rejection of unanimous
application om neghborDg people for admission into
our coniedeacy and tbs, TOO, OF territory among the
fertile and valuable upon the face OF The earth and
destined 10 become rival in the production oil
OF our richest staple articles When accused OF amb
on, we may point to this proof of sedenal. and chal
enge an equal instance OF It's exercise Ii is fact worth
volumes OF professions OF dsnterestedneSs and OF DIS
Chalmers OF all desire of self -agg randisement
to be disguised that the qunuPle treaty for the
suppression of the slave trade intended 10 act upon
the United States by It's moral force. As TO France
and England their cooperation IN the necessary meas
ures for the abolition OF that traffic already secured
by the treaties OF 1881 and 1888 and to Prussia Rus
sia and Austria suppose neither OF them ever had, or
ever will have vessel engaged IN that commerce But
was hoped, certainly by OF the parties, that this
great combination would either induce the United States
20 follow their example and submit themselves to the
measures Indicated that il would lead TO the establish
ment of some principles of maritime law without
them. But the subject is well understood that
have little to fear from this great combination so long
sought and so highly appauded Its moral force as the
journal des Debats" Justly observes, is gone. The dis
in the Chamber OF Deputies and the almost
mous condemnation of the treaty, will have indicated to
you the true state of feeling here and you will not fail
to appreciate the Importance OF the emphatic declaration
OF Mr.. Guzot, during the debates that the Amer,cans
right and that France in the same circumstances,
would do the thing The value OF this testimonial
10 the Justice OF course, made by such statesman IN
the face of Europe, can hardly be overrated.
Our true policy is to discourage all great combinations
having for their object the regulation OF maritime prncl
pies and police European considerations for the regula
of European questions do net within the sphere
of policy, they touch neither our rights our
interests But when these powers extend their care and
heir jurisdiction the ocean, think the time has
arrived for 10 make ourselves heard No nation is
interested than in the freedom of commerce,
| and we do not advance single preenslon which can
give just OF umbrage TO any other country IT, IN
Iced, general congress OF nations could be assembled
where all might be represented the weak as well as the
strong, then we might fairly take our place there, and
| Rn lie "a
doubtful In itself, well IN its consequences
that it interest," is the interest of all people
who do not conceal any projects OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in
proiessed desire to melorale the maritime code OF ma
TONS TO adhere to that code they find IT. This adhe
renee the established state of things. is certainly not
inconsistent with any arrangement which two nations
NAV be disposed to make for single purpose, and for
limited time, which they may be npelled by consdera
lions of general benevolence Certainly, If Great Britain
and the United States choose to restrain their citizens
from any traffic condemned by moral considerations and
regulate their joint action upon the subject they may
do without subecng themselves to any mpntations
OF interested ambitious motives. Each must Judge for
Itself whether such combined moyepent is In accord
ance with its policy, with the nature o. lis institutions
Both may agree TO keep squadrons upon the coast OF Al
RIGA suppress the slave trade and upoH the coast of
China to suppress the opium trade-branches OF COM
merce destructive OF human life and happlness the lat
Yer OF which has the advantage OF beng prohibited by
the government OF China, and the disadvantage Of
credit but small part OF the statements OF that gov
ernmen of being far more injurious in It's operation than
the former But these mutual agreements, dictated by
the most charitable motives, would act merely upon the
citizens of the respective countries, executing them with
overawing others by their imposing FORM and with
out leading to the establishment OF any new principle OF
maritime law
Nothing can explain to us more clearly the danger of
these great combinations, II 1t does not reveal the object
Of one of the parties in their establishment than
the principle, frankly developed by Lord Aberdeen
that this happy concurrence creates new duties and OBJ
legations, before whose justice and necessity the law of
gives way and to which the interests and indie
pendence of nations sacrificed was therefore much
pleased to read in the message of the President of the
United States to Congress at the commencement of the
present session. his emphatic declaration that the United
States would not submit to any such preension. The
powers of Europe strong weak, must understand, if
necessary that our country, in taking her place in the
greatest of them, and there will maintain it, unmoved BY
any confederation which may be formed, and wholly
without the sphere OF its operations
Thequinuple treaty has yet been ratified BY France
nor will it be, think, without essential alterations
1t is understood that the English government much
dissatisfied at this determination. The Queens speech,
however at the opening of the session, and Sir Robert
Pees remarks last week in answer to question of Lord
Palmerson, to take for granted the French atca-
ton But certainly, when the British premier made those
remarks he knew the discussion in the Chamber of Dep
uies and the of public opinion here and he ought
to have known that constitutional ministry would hest
tate before they would incur the responsibility of such
act
observe that Lord Pamerston, in the remarks prela
Tory his question, dwes upon the disineresedess of
his country and of the other parties to this treaty This
be- for Ba dy hss
by. Europe fully understands the subject and in pub.
lie in private ie it IS not the most dsinerested who
always avowing the purity of their intentions One
| would think there objects of misery enough at
home occupy the attention of any English statesman,
without that excess of philanthropy which would tilt a
spear at every natlon and light up the flames OF gene
raj war, order accomplish its charitable views,
in its own exclusive way almost at the end of the world.
brings forciby to recollection of the vagares of
Rousseau, that there people who love those who
placed at the extremes of the EARTH in order
themselves for not loving their own neighbors.
| In all that precedes, believe there is not a word
which, if need be- would not be re-echoed by every
stirring circumstances and form safe judgment of
the dangers which menace u.s. If England pushes her
purpose into action, shall have struggle TO
encounter; and the sooner and the vigorously we
prepare for it, the better. If she does not we shall gain
by exhibition of fmness, and the very state of prep
aratons may lead her to recede But permit to press
upon you the necessity OF instant and extensive arrange
tions-personal, local, and polical-should give way
before this paramount duty Eng has fearful means
OF aggression. No man can yet tell the effect which
the use OF steam is to produce upon great warlke
operations and with her accustomed sagacy she has
| accumulated large force OF steam. vessels A hos
tile squadron might at any time carry to the United
States the first news of And it would not be war
officers and feeby prosecuted but she would put
forth her utmost strength, and she would be felt and
ought to be met at every assaable point cannot but
hope that the excellent suggestions of the Secretaries of
War and of the Navy respecting national defence may
find general support.
You may naturally think that this is not very dplo-
matte despatch. Ii is not co. certainly far dplo-
macy consists in mystery either of thought express
sion. have felt strongly and have attempted to speak
lnlu IpIy / npth Ql0 tn Tho cchn IpFt hat