Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-12-16

ItSn y0af !aisht HsPahi,a. GoRinosad of thistssa
aiess was restricted 10 the borders OF the Atlantic
Now Your giant Republic spreads to the Cult OF Mex
lco the Faclc, aud your territory 10 world. Your
right hand reaches Europe over The waves while your
lett hand reaches the Pacific, the East of ASIA
and taen ia the midst of Two great continents, there
you stand, in proud iumsnsitY world yourself
! n n yon were small people of three and half
millions; Now you are a mighty nation of twenty
ionr millions And more than nineteen millions out
OF these tweny-'our, are over yonder immense terrific
ry, the richest in the world employed in the cnItiva-
ton OF the so-thst honorable occupation which,
IN every age has proved to be the nexhaustibe,
the most unalterlng of public welfare aud OF
private happiness-as also the unwaverine ally
OF the love of freedom, the most faithful preserver of
all those straight, noble and generous sentiments which
the constant occupation with ever-young, ever great
eve5 beneficial nature imparts to man. Add to this
consideration, that this Immense agricultural interest,"
which, deriving large markets and afording at the
same time most solid basis, Also to your manufac-
tural industry and TO your commerce, has developed
III such an immense proportion, makes such bound
less difference between the infant Republic of the time
OF washington, ard your present giant Republic; that
though you may be very well attached 10 your orig-
nal constitutional principles, because the principles
OF Liberty everlasting the same; but in respect
the exgencies of your policy it is impossible to
eel that you are to be regulated in your policy by
interest," then your country has other interests to day
than it had then; and ever your are TO be regulated
in your policy by the higher consideration of principles
then you are already strong enough feel that the
time has TO do And |, standing here be fore
you 10 plead the cause OF oppressed humany,I reao
luteIy declare that there may perhaps never again
come time when the elevation OF your policy 10 the
high level Of PRINCIPLES identified with liberty could
prove either more glorious to you, or more beneficial
to humanity, because in Europe are apparen ly
on tie eve OF that day, when either the hopes or tn
fears Of oppressed nations will be crushed for long
time.
Having stated so far the difference of the situation
beg leave state that is entirely an unbound
ed supposuon, that the doctrine of non-interersnce
in foreign matters had been, TO the people of The Uni
ted States, by your great Washington, bequeathed to
be constitutional principle TO you.
Mo- that IL mol the
Firstly. Washington never, even recommended
nonintererence, Indifference, the fate of other
nations TO you. He has only recommended neutrality
And there is mighty difference between these TWO
ideas.
Neutrality is an idea which has reference to state
OF war between two bellgerent powers ard is this
case which Washington contemplated when he in his
Farewell Address, advised the people OF the United
States not to enter into entangling alliances. Let
quarfehng powers,-let quarreilng nations war; you
consider your own concerns, aud let foreign powers
quarrel about ambitious TOPICS or scanty, particular
interests Neutrality is matter of convenience, not
OF priaclpe.
But even as neutrality has reference to state of
war between belgerent powers, The principle of non
interference has, on the contrary, reference to the
sovereign right of nations to dispose of their do
nestle concerns.
Therefore these two ideas of neutrality and non-in-
reference two entirely different ideas, having re-
ference to two entirely different matters.
The sovereign right of whatever nation to dispose
OF Itself, TO al er its institutions, TO change the form OF
its own government is common public law of ma
TONS, common to all, and therefore, put under the
common guarantee OF all.
This sovereign tight of every nation to dispose of
ITSELF you the people OF the United States must
cognze because it is common law of mankind
ia which, being common law of mankind, every ma
ton is equally interested You must recognize it, Sc
secondly, because the very existence Of your great Re-
public, also the independence OF every nation,
upon this bass,-rests upon this ground. If that
vereign right OF nations were no common public law
OF mankind then your own independent existence
would be no matter of right, but only matter of fact,
which might b. subject to whatever time, to whatever
chances OF power and oil violence.
And where is the citizen OF the United States who
would not feel revolted against the dea that The exs
tence OF this great Republic is not righteous
lawful one, but only mere accident, matter of
fact?
Ii it were so, you not entitled to invoke the
protection OF God for your great country; because the
protection OF God cannot, without sacriege, be in
voked but in behalf OF justice and right. You had no
right to look to the sympahy OF maCklnd tor yourse II,
because you would profess abogation of the laws of
humanity, upon which is founded your indepen-
dence,-Ynur own ex lstence.
Now, gentlemen, If theae be principles OF common
law, oithatlaw which God has given 10 all, and to
nation OF humanity, iii the faculty to dispose of
itself, is the common lawful right oievery nation, then
The interference with this commonl law OF all humanity,
the violent act Of hindering, by armed forces nation
from exercising that sovereign light, mus: be considered
as violation OF that common public law upon which |
your very existence rests aud whoa being
law OF all human y, is, by God himself, placed under
the safeguard OF all humanity; D5cauSa 1t IS God INN
self who commands US to love our neighbors we
love rselves, and do towards others we desire
others to do towards ourselves.
Upon this point you cannot remain Indifferent You |
may remain neutral TO every war between TWO bel- |
gerent nations, but you cannot ROMAN Indifferent to the
violation OF the common law OF humanity. That in
d terence Washington has never taught you | defy
every show out OF the eleven volumes of
Washlnatons writings, single word to that effect. |
He recommended neutrality ia the OF foreign wars
but he never recommended indifference to the violation
OF the common laws OF humanity by interference OF |
foreign powers wi h the sovereign right OF nations to
dlspose oil themselves.
And he could not have recommended this iudffer-
ence without ceasng to be wise he was, because |
there is, without justice, wisdom on earth. He |
could not have recommended 1t without becoming in |
consistent, because it this law OF mankind
which your fouTtathers invoked, before God and
KIND, wheh they proclaimed your Independence, Ii |
was he himself, your great Washington, VINO not only
accepted. but asked, again and again, foreign aid -
foreign help for the support Of that common law Of
mankind IN respect to your owa Independence.
knowledge and ms ructioa are universally spread
amongst the enlightened people OF the Uaited States;
the history OF your country is such uehod
at the most loasy hear his OF your emoest settlements
that may be sufficient tor to refer in that pect,
to the Instructions and correspondence between Wash
ingon ana the Minister at Par4,-he equally imnor |
tai Franklln,-lie modest man, with the proud eoaph
which tells the world that he wrestsd the Lightning from
Heaven, and the sceptre from the tyrants hands
This have proved, believe that w dshllgton new
bequeahsd you principle OF non inter ference
against The violation OF the sovs!eg right OF "a ions
TO dispose of themselves and to regulate heiG %n
Institutions; bat he taught you only neutrality in re
spect to the wars OF foreign nations.
will go further. And state that even that doe |
trne OF neutrality he taught and hequeatled to you, |
not a constitutional piiacple-a lasting regulation
for all future time, but only matter Of temporary
policy. | refer in that respect the very words OF
his Farewell Address. There he states explicitly, |
that sit is your policy to steer clear of permanent
alliances with any portion OF the forelga WORLD
These are his very words. Policy s the word, and
you know policy notthe science of principles, but
OF exg9ncies; and thai principles OF course, by
tree and powerful nation, 10 be sacrificed
lgences The exlgences are passing away, like the |
bubbles OF a rain; but the nation is Immortal it must
consider the future also, and not only the egostica
comfort OF the passing hour 1t must be aware that
TO an immortal nation, nothing be Of higher i'm
portauce than immortal principles.
will go yet tuFaer; and state that even this policy
Of neutrality Washington taught you, not perma