The republic., 1850-12-31

thing whatever is alleged by Mr. Hulsemann TO
have been either done said by the agent nconsst-
ent with such an object, the underslgned conceiVes
that Mr. Clayton's explanation ought to be deemed
not only admissible, but quite satisfactory. Alr.
Iulsemann states, in the course of his note, that
his instructions TO address his present communioa.
ton to Mr.. Clayton reached Washington about
the time of the lamented death of the late Presi-
dent, and that he delayed from a sense OF pro-
prety the execution of his task until the new Ad-
| ministration should be fully organized: ga delay
| which he rejoces at, as IL has given him the
| opportunity of ascertaining from the new Presl-
dent himself, on the occasion OF the reception
of the diplomatic corps, that the fundamental
policy of the United States. so frequently pro-
claimed, would guide the relations OF the American
Government with other powers" MIR. Hulsemann
also observes that II is in his power to assure the
| undersigned 90 that the Imperial Government is
disposed 10 cultivate relations of friendship and
good understanding with the United States" The
President receives this assurance of the disposition
of the Imperial Government with great satisfaction,
and in consideration of the friendly relations of the
| two Governments thus mutually recognised. and
OF the puculiar nature OF the incidents by which
their good understanding is supposed by Mr.. HUI
scmann To have been, for moment. disturbed or
| endangered the President regrets that Mr.. Hulse-
mann did not feel himself at liberty wholly TO for
bear from the execution OF instructions, which were
of transmitted from Vienna, without any fore
sight of the state of things under which they would
| reach Washington. II Mr.. H. saw, in the address
of the President to the diplomatic corps, satisiac-
tory pledges OF the sentiments, and the policy OF
| this Government, in regard to neutral rights and
neutral duties, it might, perhaps, have been better
not to bring discussion of past transactions.
But the undersigned readily admits that this
question fit only for the consideration and decision
| OF Mr.. Hulsemann HIMSELF and although the Pre-
sident does not see that any good purpose can be
answered by reopening the inquiry into the pro-
priety of the steps taken by President Tay lor,
to ascertain the probable issue OF the late civil war
in a hls ne
dersgned briefly TO re- state the history OF those
steps, and TO show their consistency with the neutral
policy which has invariably guided the Government
OF the United States III Its foreign relations, well
with the established and well settled principles OF
national intercourse, and the doctrines of public law
The undersigned will first observe, that the Free
sdcnt is persuaded His Majesty the Emperor of
Austria not not think that the Government of the
United States ought to view, with unconcern, the
extraordinary events which have occurred, not
only in his dominions, but i'll many other parts of
Europe, since February, lo+S. The Government
and People of the United State, like other ntelli
gent Governments and communities, take "A lively
interest in the movements and the events of this
remark able age in whatever part of the world they
may be exhibited But the interest taken by the
United States IN those events has not proceeded from
any disposition odepart from that neutrality toward
foreign powers which is among the deepest princi
plea and the most cherished traditions of the political
history of the Union Ii has been the necessary effect
of the unexampled character OF the events them
selves, which could not fail To the attention of
the contemporary world as they will doubtless fill
memorable page in history. But the undersigned
goes further, and freely admits that in proportion
these extraordinary events appeared to have
their origin IN those great ideas OF responsible and
popular governments, which the American con-
stitutions themselves wholly founded they could
not but command the warm sympathy OF the people
of this country.
Well known circumstances III their history in
deed their whole history, have made them the rep
resenatyes of purely popular principles of govern
Inent. In this light they nov stand before the
world They could not, if they would, conceal their
character, their condition, or their destiny. They
could not, If they desired shut out from the view
OF mankind the causes which have placed them in
short n national career, in the station which they
now hold among the civilized States of the world
They could not If they desired II, suppress either
the thoughts or the hopes which arise in mems minds
in othtf countries from contemplating their
! fu example of free government That very intelh-
gent and distinguished percentage the Emperor Je-
seph the Second was among the rst to discern this
necessary consequence of the American Revolution
the sen tments and opinions OF the people of Eu
rope In letter To his minister in the Netherlands in
1881 he observes that "t is remarkable that France
by the assistance which she Afforded To the Ameri
cans, gave birth TO reflections freedom" This
fact, which the sagacity of that monarch perceived
at 50 early day, IL now known and admitted by
intelligent powers all over the world True, in
deed, Il is that the prevalence the other CONT
nent Of sentiments favorable TO republican hber-
ty, is he result of the action of America upon
Europ nd the source and centre of this re-
action i,.s doubtless been, end now Is, in these
! United States The position thus belong ging to the
United States ID TACT inseparabe from their his
tory, their constitutional organization and their
/ character, the opposite position Of the powers
composing the European alliance is from the bis :
tory and constitutional organization of the govern
ments Of those powers. The sovereigns who form
that alliance have, not unfrequenty, felt it their
right TO interfere with the political NOV of
foreign States; and have in their mAnilestoes and
declsra tons trnounced the popular ideas OF the
age, in terms 90 comprehensive as Of necessity to
include the United States, and their forms OF gov
ernmcnt. u is well known that one Of the leading
principles, announced by the allied SOveregns al.
ter the restoration Of the Bourbons Is that all pop
ular or constitutional rights are holden other
wise than az grants and Indulgences from crowned
heads. "Usefnl and necessary changes in legislation
and administration" says the Laybach Circular OF
May, lS4l fought only Ia emanate from the free
will and intelligent conviction Of those whom Cd
has rendered responsible for power; all that devi-
stes from this line necessarily leads to disorder
commotions, and evils far more insuffcrable than
those which they pretend 20 remedy" And his
late Austrian Majesty, Francis l., i reported 10
have declared In address 90 the Hungarian
Diet, in 1920, that - the whole world had become
, foolish, and, leaving their ancient laws, was in
search Of imaginary constitutions" These decla
rations amount TO nothing lees than denial Of the
lawfuncss Of the origin Of the Government Of the
United States, since Il Is certain that that Govern
mcnt was established in consequence Of a change
which did not proceed from thrones, or the pormis
sion Of crowned heads. But the Government Of th,
United States heard these denuncia Of its fun
damental principles without rcmonstrance, OF ia,
disturbance Of its equanimity. This thirty
, yearssgo
The power Of this Republic. at the present mo
ment, is spread over region. one of the riches
and most fertile the globe and Of an extent u
comparison with which the ppssessons Of the Hous
OF Hapsburg are but as patch the carth's sur
face. Its population, already twenty five millions
will exceed that Of the Austrian empire within th
= period during which IL may be hoped that NJ
Hulsemsnn may yet remain in the honorable die
charge Of his duties 20 his Government It, navi
/ cation and commerce are hardly exceeded by th
p oldest and most commercial nations; its martini,
means, and is maritime power. may be seen by
Austria bersef in all where she has ports, a
well Il may be seen, also, in all other quarter
Of the globe. Life, liberty, property, and all per
sODal rights are amply secured 10 all ciuzcns, AM
protected by just and stable laws; and credit pubi
and private, isas we'll esta bshed A. in any Govern
: ment Of Continental Europe. And the country, IL
all ts interests and cOnccrns, partakes most large
b. ly ia all the Improvements and progress which de
, tinguish the age. Certainly the United States ma
be psrdOned, even by those who profess adherence
b 70 The principles Of absolute Governments If the
entertain ardent affection for those popular form
Of political organization which have 20 rapidly ad
4 vanced their own prosperity snd happiness. an
enabled them IN 40 short a period 10 bring thei
country and the hemisphere 10 which IL belongs, Z
the notice and respectful regard not 20 say the ad
4 Il 49, r..FsI. =.