The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-06

.
The mistakes in the following article, from
the London Times, might pass without obser
walton in a paper of less character. That
which substitutes Mr.. CLAWS name for Mr.
CLAYToN's may possibly be typographical err
ror hut that which attributes President Mon
aoE's famous declaration 10 Mr. JEFFERSON
admits of no such explanation, and ought not 10
have occurred in a Journal Of such high rcpu-
tation:
From The London Times, august 20.
The balance OF Power la Europe and
America.
! Maxims relating to the balance of power in Eu-
rope, derived originally from the astuic politicians
ot Italy, still form portion oi the learning and the
faith OF statesmen even OF the nineteenth century
The diplomatsts OF the present day are daily &C
cuped in the task OF keeping the various powers
of Europe in that relative order which, by arrange
mcnt, has been for some years past established
amongst them and every minute encroachment
or change is viewed with extraordinary jealousy,
Id always opposed, and generally prevented. But
while this superabundanCe OF caution Is bestowed
upon the balance Of power in Europe, the due ar
rangement Of it, as respects the world at large,
would appear not to come within the sphere OF du-
ty self imposed upon European statesmen. Indeed,
10 them Europe would seem to be the world; be
You'd Its limits they appear to think that there Is
no chance of dangerous power arising, and con-
sequently reason for fear with respect To any
dominion which exists, is likely to exist, in
any other quarter of the globe This, ncyerthe css,
Is very dangerous opinion IT, at the present mo-
ment, we listen to the language OF those who, on
the continent of Europe, are deemed great author
ies, discover that their minds possessed by
one dominant fear; their eyes fixed in terror
upon the great northern potentate, and they speak
OF the overwhelming dominion OF Russia as the
ever imminent peril over the freedom and desti.
MES of the world. There is party alec among
ourselves sharing in these alarms and dismal
pectations of mischief and who, like their cont
mental compeers, completely occupied with
this one idea, and so pertinaciously contine their
attention TO European combinations alone, that
they can see no danger which threatens from 9th.
er quarters. They pay no attention to rules OF
conduct which may be laid down by any country
not European, and permit without hesitation as-
| symptoms to be made respecting territories be-
yond these special limits, which they would not
tolerate for moment if put forth with regard TO
any European State, no matter how significant.
These observations suggested by the CORE
spondence which has lately passed between Sir
Henry Bulwer and the Cabinet Of Washington,
with reference to u treaty which was supposed TO
have been entered into by MIR Chatfield, on the
part of England, with the States of Yucatan and
Costa RIGA, the supposed purport OF such treaty
being TO constitute England the protector of these
two States. With the correspondence itself we
have no fault to find neither do object TO the
conduct which it describes England to have pur-
sued, with the maxims laid down as the rule for
our future proceedings. Sir Henry Bulwer states
! to MIR. Clay that Mr. Chatield has had no author
ity TO enter into any such treaty on the part OF
policy of England to constitute herself the pro
tector Of distant States. SO far all is well; but
what, we ask, was the principle laid down by Mr..
Clay as that which gave the United States right
to ask if England had entered into any such treaty?
II information were simply sought III order that
the United States might shape Its course of con-
duct with reference to the new position OF affairs
which under such treaty would exist, then there
would be no reason to complain no ground for re-
senting the inquiry. But If this were lncnacing
inquiry-f the doctrine were maintained that Eng
ha, tpa llfstr
if il asserted that such treaty would, by the
United States, be deemed an unwarrantabie inter
| ference in American affairs by European State
be, in fact, beii in the estimation OF Amcr
can statesmen-then we say the great interests of
| the world have been sacrificed by asserting to
most absurd preension OF the United Statcs and
by permitting her to establish uuquestioncd doc
| trine which, in fact, lays at her feet the whole
American continents, from the North Pole to Cape
| Horn.
Mr. jefferson, the most exclusively American
and ambitious of the several Presidents of tie
United Sates first broached the doctrine that the
interests Of America imperatively compelled her to
declare that no European State should henccforth
acquire additional power or territory in America
England for many years after the declaration of
Independence by the United States, was in posses-
| sion OF territories on the North American CONT
ncnt more extensive than those of any other
| ton, whether European American. France soon
| after that event sold her American domiuions 10
the United States; Spain lost her great province of
Mexico, and the whole continent evidently
destined to be the property of the two sections OF
the Anglo Saxon race-the one under the flag of
England the other under that of the United States.
| The maxim Of American policy thus first enun-
ciated by jefferson was, III fact, directed against
| England and we are now led 20 inquire why the
one section Of Engshmen who constitute the re-
| public of the United States may acquire territory
| and influence upon the continents VI North and
| South America, while those who still remain Eng
| lish, and constitute the English nation, to &c
| excluded from any participation in these adyan-
tagcs. Within the last half century the United
| Ol
| its tertitorios-partly by purchase partly by in
! tngue, partly by conquest. The nation which, IN
1888, confined ON tho north by British America,
| ON the cast by the Atlantic, on the west by the
| Mississippi, and on the south by Florida has now
| 80 extended its southern boundary 10 have
reached the Gulf Of Mexico, and 50 stretched its
western limit ss to have the Pacific Ocean washing
| the whole length Of its western boundary. The
| people, who, when they declared themselves indie
| pendent did not exceed 100000 sJuls, now
| amount TO above 25,OO0, 900; and this powerful
people cooy informs the nations OF Europe that il
safety IL incompatible with any acquisition of terri
| tory by any European State on the American con
] tincnt Indeed, we have strong rcafOn 20 believe
! that the inquiry lately made by tie cabinet of
Washington respecting the treaty supposed to have
been concluded between gland and the States Of
HuCatan and Costa Bca, suggested by the feel
ngs which first gave birth 70 the exclusive kim,
aud was intended 90 convey 20 Englan hint that
the United States MEANT TO resent any such inter
ference in American affairs the ono supposed.
That peace should be maintained between England
and the United Statcs, must bc the wish OF every
rational nisn on both sides Of the Atlantic; but
| peace can only be maintained by just conduct
the part Of both nations, and any attempt on the
part OF the United States TO possess herself Of fur
thcr territory would render il matter Of absolute
necessity on the part Of England TO interfere aud
| prevent such aggression. Mexico at present lies
hclpcss, and If England should stand idly by, and
| not insist on the maintenance Of the Mexican re-
public in its existing integrity, campaign
would suffice 10 add the chief State Of Central
America 10 the already formidable Confederation
Of the United States. England has herself no de
sire 10 acquire territory in Central America; but II
there be any symptom Of an intention 60 cncroach
| upon Mexico exhibited by the cabinet Of Washng-
ton, we should do wisely to extend our protection
10 the independent republics which al present hold,
as righful pOsscssors the whole Of Central Amcri-
ca. And the United States could have rational
ground of complaint if England were to enter into
an alliance Of friendship aud protection, not only
with Yucatan and Costa kica, but with every ono
Of tho remaining republics, Mexico included.
This IL a subject which for many reasons fnust
continue TO occupy the serious attention Of English
statesmen. Itis evident that shortly cOmmun-
cation will be completed between the two oceans,
and we have that very Wholesome Jealousy
n has lugitf,