New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-20
For The Tribune.
The Duties of the United states toward the
American RepublIcs-At~ss and CIny.
no more.
Hegdeli. Mas. SQfuy.

The Duties oil the United states toward tue
American Repubiics-At~~s and Clay.
The Tribune of tie 18th inst. gave expression
TO the welLestablished public sentiment of the
United States, when it said that the United States
being by position and sympathy the natural ally
of the younger Republics Of this continent, it be-
comes this country TO manifest cordial interest
in their welfare, and an earnest desire to
serve them to the extent of her power. The
present crisis manifestly calls for a revival Of
that policy inaugerated in 1862, by Messrs.
Adams and Clay. and unworthily virulently
assailed by the opposition OF that day"
There are passages in the article in The Tri-
bHne equally grateful to the sound American SEN
timent Of the country, to which propose TO refer
fully in another connection. My present object
IL to show the nature Of that glorious policy in
augerated by Messrs. Adams and Clay, and to
his end l shall quote their own language, from
the public documents and speeches Of that period.
The people at large cannot keep this policy too
steadily in view, nor be too rigid in requiring
exact conformity to it on the part Of the American
Government The following passages, presenting
an outline of this policy, need no comment:
EztrGct from the Instructions Of JOHN QUINCY
ADAMS TO Mr. ANDERSON, appointed Minister
TO Columbia, Nay %, 1923;
ave have constantly favored the standard of
independence in America. Disinterested-
ness must be its own reward bat in the esteb-
hshment of our future political and commercial
relations with the new Republics Of America, it
will be necessary 20 recur often to the principles
in which they originated they will serve 10 mark
the boundaries Of the rights which we may Justly
claim In future relations with them, and 10
ceHnteTaet ne Efforts whtc4, a cannot be dou6tea,
European negotiations trfN continue 10 make "a
the fHrtheraRce Of their Aa0H0Tchfcal and nOR0p0
hzing contemplQti0ns. To promote these
events the security Of their independence, and
the permanence of civil and religious freedom) by
all the moral influence which we can exercise,
whether of example, of friendly counsel and per
suasion, is among the duties which devolve upon
ns, in the formation Of our future relations with
our Southern neighbors 1t is highly i'm
portant that the first foundations of the permanent
future intercourse between the two countries
Ahould be laid in principles benevolent and liberal
In themselves, congenial with the spirit of our in
sttutiOns, and consistent with the duties of uni.
versal philanthropy. The emancipation of
the South American Continent opens to the whole
race Of man prospects OF futurity, an 1ckGch plaS
Union ciH be called. an the discharge Of ats duties
TO p0sterity, 10 take a conspicuous and leading
part, 1t involves all that is precious in hope and
all that is desirable in existence, to the countless
millions of fellow creatures which. in the pro-
greselVo revolution OF time, THIS hemisphere IL
destined to rear and maintain.
"That the fabric Of our social connections with
our Southern neighbors may RISE in the lapse OF
years, with grandeur and harmony OF proper
lions corresponding with the magnifcence of the
means placed by Providence in our power, and in
that OF our descendants, its foundations must be
laid in principles Of politics and morals new and
TO the thrones and dominions of the
elder world, bat coextensive with the surface of
the globe, and lasting as the changes of time
Such were the principles which President Ad
ans, in message to Congress March Is. 1920 on
the subject of the Panama Mission. expressly de-
elared twas his intention to further and carry
Into effect, in accepting the proposition for that
Convention Of Republican States. THAT Con.
yress he said, sprung from the urgent imme-
date, and momentous common interests Of great
struggling for independence, and, as
It were, quiokening into life"
rtracts from President ADANS's Message 10 Con. 1
greSs 0n the subject Of the Panama Mission.
" The late President of the United States, in his I
Message to Congress OF the Cd of December 1928, 7
While announcing the negotiation then pending 4
With Russia, relating to the north west coast of .
his continent observed that the occasion Of the ,
discussions to which that incident had given rise
lad been taken for asserting as a principle in
which the rights and interests of the United States
we're involved, that the American continents by
he free and independent condition which they
lad assumed and maintained, were thencefo-wsrd
lot 10 be considered as subjects for future cooni. /
alton by any European power The principle
ad first been assumed IN that negotiation with I
Russia. Ii rested upon a course Of reasoning
Qually simple and conclusive. With the eXcep-
ion Of the existing European colonies, which il
vas in no wise intended TO disturb, the two
ontinents consisted Of several sovereign and ia.
ependent nations, whose territories covered its
Fhole surface. BY this their independent cOndi.
ion, the United States enjoyed the right OF com.
1ercisl intercourse with every part Of their pos
essions. To attempt the establishment of a colo.
y IN those possessions would be 10 usurp 20 the
xclusion OF others, a commercial intercourse
Which was the common possession of all. ItcO1ld
OF be done without encroaching upon the exist.
ng rights OF the United States. The Government
Russia has never disputed these positions nor
nsnhested the slightest dissatisfaction at their
aving been taken. Most of the new American
'ePuollcs nave declared their entire assent TO
9em, Ano teey now propose, among the subjects
J consusstiVn ~ panama, 10 take into considers.
on the means OF making sgectxal the assertion
that principle, as well as the means of re,istng
Interference from abroad with the domast;c eon'
ems Of the American Government"
The same Message refers TO the advice siyenbv
gashington asa rule for our Government in con.
acting its foreign affairs, and continues:
while adheri0g faithfully to the spirit Of that
lminiAtFation, cannot overlook the reflection
AZ the ooupcil Of Washington ia tbSt instance