The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-10-30

Rxopa9an1Asn&
Words azs things" says brilliant modern
wriss. saad daily we gather evidence supporting
tbs proposition. swords arc shings,s and Mad.
ame Rolaad's exclamation, !" Oh. Liberty! how
many crimes are committed in thy namei" has
it, illustration and confirmation in our daily po-
iitical history. We do not nay that crimes are
committed; but men call error "progress." the
tyranny of majorties, the violent impulse of un-
informed or unreAecting minds democracy" and
appeal TO the vanity of individuals and pride Of
opinion to embarrass legislation. under the cry
that "the best government is that which governs
least" Now, in our own day and land. We are
called upon by men Of position and intelligence
to declare that no obligations, individual or ma
tional, shall impede the operations of such sym.
pathies or passionate impulses as men may choose
to entertain or express.
We have this new doctrine-a higher law doc
trine, lawless doctrine, the doctrine Of the su-
premacyo Of individual opinion over fixed and gen.
eral Extraordinarily thrust before the public,
and received by it either with passive &C.
TRUE is dangerous to meet for the popularity
seeking candidate land who is not more or less a
candidate in our country p, and so daily it grows,
and the feeble mis-. formed heresy Of to-day threat
ems to grow into the enlarging principle of our
political future. Already we are invited to assume
the position Of the Censor Of Nations, the arbiter
Of their fates the regulator of their domestic econ.
omy. There is no use in Disgusting the fact. We
are daily urged urged to assume the task Of prop.
agandism-to force freedom Tor rather own
views upon natons-to supervise their policy
our ideas. A distinguished foreigner has come
forward to express his understanding of our posi-
ton as nation of propagandists; and nationa
pride arrogance will doubtless be propitated by
the assignment of position of superiority ant
command
But the principle involved requires no elabo.
rate discussion. 1t reposes upon common sens.
views. 1t has the sure boundaries of self-nterest
social duties and expediency. A man may b
under obligations to rescue and protect feeble
neighbor brutally assaulted, but he has neither
right nor duty to justify an unsolicited intsrfe
renee in his quarrels. A man may and SHOULD
interfere with a neighbours household when
crime or gross wrong is on the point of beine
pushed to plain injury but society could main
tain no peace, if he assumed the right of regu
lating fathers discipline of his children, or
husbands relations with his wife.
The mere fact that the internal policy of nation
is disastefu to us, does not justify our interference
country may be governed badly; but that give
us no right to attempt to govern it LAS we woul,
decide) more correctly. Our own peculiar view
and institutions may not suit the nation we pre-
tend to befriend and the free government w
seek to establish may prove curse, and no,
blessing may fit as lily as the armor of Hercule
upon Tom Thumb; may thrust nation. like
freed captive, bewidered, into a sudden flood O
light, upon the dizzy edge of precipice. |
would seem now. that many Of us were betraye,
into a passing attempt to place the Cuban Creole
in this unfortunate position.
Besides, nation must, whatever vague dis
chalmers may say to the contrary, consult policy
look to its own interests regard its own capacity
and progress. We are a strong nation-rich il
resources, formidable as an enemy, desirable as ;
friend. There can be no question of that. Blu
| are we strong enough, great enough, advanced
opment to start out upon career of propagand
| ism! We waive the question of right, of prnci.
pie, Of justification we look to the questions o
| interest and power 1t is fashionable to say tina
we are the greatest "a word singularly mixed vi
with the idea of moral position and physical power
nation in the world that we can "whip all crea
ton" The idea is fattering to a laudable ma
tonal vanity, and forever talking Of our nationa
power and excellence, we are too constantly hunt
ing an opportunity to indicate the latter an
demonstrate the former. Like all democratic
we are aggressive; our policy peace, our wis
war
But let us look at our questions We are stron
- strong in the present, and vastly more so in tn
future. But our strength is a matter of progress,
and the history of the world shows that the la,
Of progress is peace. Even conquests do nj
strengthen, but weaken, ar ton. We, in our ow
nation, without going back examine the histor
Of other nations, offer, even now, a melanchol
illustration of this proposition. Are we as stron
to-day as we were before we acquired Californ
New Mexico, ETC.? They cost us blood and ire;
sure, and what have they brought US? The d.
moralizaton Of an Unsuitable spirit of propagant
ism, sectional bitterness among the old States
the Union, threats Of secession and dissolution +,
necessity for the increase of the army fioatin,
RESTLESS dissatisfied body of disbanded soldiers,
warfare of worthless but embittering theorie
That is one point of view but there are other
| If we enter upon career OF propagandsm, ,
| daily demagoguical orators and favor seekin
presses invite us to do, gliding their dangeror
theories with such phrases as :" love of liberty
the spirit of freedom" etc. we enter upon c;
| reer of warfare every nation will fear us, all nj
| tons will band themselves against US. Our pr
gress will be solely one OF conquest-bringn
fresh sectional issues in its train--our commert
will be vexed and interrupted, taxes will be il
creased, and the most dangerous OF all characte
| of population, a large, unquiet, wsr-loving, wa
Id, of dino IF