The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-16
Z H E R E P u BLIC.
w ASHIN GTON:
FRIDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 10. lS4s.
THE NICARAGUA QUESTION.
MIR. Monroe's Declaration-Democ
NIeMs Of that DeclaraIinn.

views OF that Declaration.
We have seen, from the extracts from
MIR. BUcHANAN's speeches in 1896, that
he then considered and maintained that
the Monroe declaration had ''answered
the purpose for which it was intended"
(the danger from the holy alliance, which,
at one time, threatened the Southern re-
publics, having passed away;) that he re-
garded, and rebuked as such, the attempt
which he believed Mr.. ADAMS was max
ing to have the Monroe principle incorpo-
rated into treaty or compact with the
South American republics, as most OBJ
iectionable and alarming abandonment of
the principles of the farewell address of
the Father of his Country; that although
Mr.. Adams ''had not formed formal alli-
ances with the Southern republics, yet
that his alleged conversion of the Monroe
declaration into pledge that this govern
ment would carry out the Monroe princi-
pie IN respect to the South American re-
publics, had committed the country, IN
honor, to an alarming extent" &C., Sc,
sc. We shall now proceed to let our read
ers hear
MR. POLK
on ENHANCING ALLIANCES AND THE MONROE
DECLARATION
"Mr. Polk (then member of the House of Rep
resentatives said he should vote against the reso-
luton reported by the Committee of Foreign Al
fairs, but for very different reasons from those
which had been assigned by the honorable mem
$ Der from Massachusetts, (Mr. WEBSTER and by
several other gentlemen who had just stated the
reasons which would influence their votes. He
did not believe, with them, that the amendment
offered by the gentleman from Delaware, Mr..
McLASE,l and received by vote of the House on
yesterday, was unconstitutional, or encroached
upon the constitutional powers of the Executive.
Believing, as he did, that II was at all times
petent TO the House of Representatives to express
their opinions freely in relation to our foreign
policy, he had voted for that amendment. He
had voted for it because he believed it was decla-
ratory Of the uniform course Of policy so happily
pursued by the government, from the adoption of
the constitution TO the present period because it
was, as he conceived, still the true policy of the
country; and because, being opposed, as he was
TO the proposed mission to the Congress at Pana-
ma, under any circumstances, he wished to sig
Nifty to the President and his cabinet by distinct
expression of opinion by the popular branch of
the Legislature of the Union, the views which
they entertained of the true policy Of the coun-
try. That object had been effected by the vote of
yesterday. BY that vote, it was distinctly an
'nounced by majority of the House, as their
opinion, that our policy with foreign nations is
the same now as that laid down by W AsHINGToS,
in his farewell address to the American people;
= and that no circumstances had occurred in our
foreign relations, in the political connexions of
'other powers with each other which authorized us
TO change that policy, to hazard the experiment
: Of new one. We had distinctly declared il as
our opinions, by the adoption Of that amend
ment, that our policy now, as il ever had
been, TO observe strict neutrality between all
belhgerent powers; that, Sin extending our com
mercial relations with foreign nations, should
have with them as little political connexion as
'possible;' that we should preserve peace, COM
'merce, and friendship with all nations, and
form entangling alliances with none;' that we
should not form any alliance. offensive or deien-
siye negotiate respecting such an alliance with
all or any Of the South American republics;' nor
should become parties with them, or either Of
preventing the interference Of any Of the Euro
'pean powers with their independence or form Of
government or, TO any compact for the prupo,, Of
'preueniing colonization ths continent Of AHaica
These sentiments, Mr.. Polk said, 70 which he
most willingly subscribed. However strong his
sympathies might be in favor Of liberty and re
publican institutions, in whatever part of the
world they might make their appearance the
peace, the quiet, and prosperity Of his own coun.
try were paramount TO every other consideration.
And it, after this distinct expression Of opinion
the President and his Secretary Of State should
think proper 20 depart from that policy, they do
It without our sanction, al their own hazard, and
on their own responsibility"
Before he concluded, Mr. POLK said he would
say word in relation 10 the pledge which it was
said the nation had given in relation 20 our South
American policy When the message Of the late
President Mr. MoNRoEl Of the United States wa
communicated 10 Congress, II wa viewed az IL
should have been a. the mere expression Of opin-
ION Of the Executive, submitted b. the consdcra.
ton and deliberat0n Of Congress; and designed
probably, 10 produce an effect upon the councils
Of the Holy Alliance in relation % their supposed
intention 10 interfere in the war between Spain
and her former colonies That effect il probably
had an agency in producing; and, II -, Il had
'pofonsd ~ Office. The President had no power
10 bind the nation by such a pledge The sound
and sober judgment Of the people Of the United
States had not been brought up 10 the conclusion
that We could, IN any event, make common causc
with the republics II the South, OF involve orr.
selves in the calarnites q war in their behalf
all our sympsthies, all our rood feelings were
with them; VIC wished them success; but sclfprc.
scrvation IL the fr.t Law Of nature and u natons
~ were uen, a. b. hoped stiu we're. unpre-
pared 10 depart from settled policy. As a
strong evidence of what thc opinion Of this Houze
then vas, the present Secretary Of STATE, Mr..
'CLAYl then member Of the House, had submit.
ted a resolution respDnding 10 the sentiments u
the message u the President. The Greek resolu.
ton submitted, too, at the samc session, by
the honorable member from Massac husctts; the
fever vas up; We seemed u be then, il We ever
had been, prepared to g. on political orussdc in
bchslf Of others. The sober judgment II the
House interpOsed; the Greek resolution shared its
fate, and sleeps upon the table. Mr.. CLAY saw