The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-16

liority." The fact is, no doubt, as stated
by Mr.. Polk. We may have occasion &c
Irefer to it again in the course of these re-
marks.
| Let US now recapitulate the main posi-
tons assumed and maintained, on this
subject, by Mr.. Polk and Mr.. BUCHANAN
in the House of Representatives, in 1926.
They are these:
That this famous declaration of Mr..
MONROE was "the mere expression Of
opinion ofthe Executive, submitted to the
consideration and elaboration of Con
gress."
That the very House of Representa-
tives to whose consideration it was sub
mitted stood prepared to reject, by an
Overwhelming majority" had it been
called up, aresolution responding to it.
That it had, even prior to 1926, ''per-
formed its Office"
That President MONROE s'had no power
to bind the nation by such pledge"
That "the sound and sober judgment Of
the people of the United States had not
been brought up to the conclusion that we
could, IN any erent, make common cause
with the republics of the South, or involve
ourselves in the calamities of war in their
behalf"
That Sour policy with foreign nations
| was the same then as that laid down by
| WASHINGTON, in his farewell address to
the American people; and that no circum-
stances had occurred in our foreign rela-
tons, or in the political connexions Of
other Powers with each other, which au-
thorized US to change that policy, or to
hazard the experiment of new one.'
That 'Eour policy was then, as it ever
had been, to observe strict neutrality be-
tween all belhgerent Powers"
That sin extending our commercial re-
lGtions with other nations, We 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 NTH none
That it would be highly inexpedient fol
us to Storm any alliance, offensive or defen-
slve, or negotiate respecting such an ALI
ance with all or any of the South American
republics"
That we should not "become parties
with them, or either of them, to any joint
declaration for the purpose of preventing
the interference of any of the European
Powers with their independence or form OF
government, or to any compact for the pur-
pose of preventing colonization on the con-
tinent of America"
These were the doctrines, in 1926, not
only of Mr.. Polk and Mr.. BUCHANAN, but
of Messrs. VAN buren,, WHITE, HAYNE,
WOODBURY., McLANE, FORSYTH, RIvEs,
HAMILTON, (of South Carolina and o.
almost the whole Of that galaxy of great
names which, in the 18th Congress, LED
the opposition to Mr.. ADAMs's admins
tration in the memorable discussion on the
Panama Mission. We could fill volumes
with extracts from their speeches, of SINH
lar import with those we have already
given from the speeches of Mr.. Polk and
Mr.. BUCHANAN. But that would be un,
necessary, even if We had space to-day,
which we have not. Room, however, we
must contrive to find for some of the sen.
timents and views expressed on the same
subject, and on the same occasion, by one
whose opinions will perhaps command moi
less reverence and respect from the Union
and its readers, than will the opinions we
have already quoted of the late President
and his Secretary Of State. We proceed
10 quote
MR. RICHIE
oS ENTASGlIS6 ALLIANCES AxD TIE MONROE
| DECLARATION.
From Dc Richmond Enquire Of March 3lsf, 1876
! Thomas Richie, editor
MIR. wHTE lthe late HUoHL wmTE, Of Ten.
nesseel notices another singular hiatus in the
documents trelating 10 the Panama missionl sub
nited. Mr.. PoiSsETT, acting with, or without in.
structions, afns TO the penipotentiarics Of Mexico
that the United States had pledged themselves
not % permit any other power TO interfere either
with the Independence or form Of government,
tOf the Spanish American States; and that in such
an event, we should be compelled to take the most
active and efficient part and to bear the brunt Of the
contest Now, says Mr.. White, nothing can bind
us 70 60 TO war with any nation, but declaration
made in the proper form, and by the proper depart.
Hent Of his government II ,rouid be strang,
enOugh, u Che Presdent alone ,ciiio1d aduics from
b'' Senate, and 'oitout authority from the House of
Repqsssntaiires, should presume 10 make any such
pisgs Dat any Of HI, ministers Without any au-
bory from hun should BE- bold enough 10 make t."
The last sentence, which we have tal.
iclsed, is Mr.. RrTcHE's own. He not
only sanctions the construction placed by
Judge WHITE upon the assurances made
by Mr.. PoINsETT to the Mexican govern.