The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-06
Our Austrian Relations.

Nothing is more difficult than to find general
principles to regulate the conduct of nations to-
wards each other-and to observe them.
Mr. MoNRoE's declaration has been good
deal asserted, discussed, denied, evaded and
mystifed.
Undoubtedly non-intervention is the rule for
our Government But it never has been the
rule for foreign or monarchcal governments,
which are in close proximity to each other. Our
Government has no sympathies conferred on it
by the Constitution, and ought to content itself
with the exercise of its delegated powers, and
leave sympathies with the people--and they
ought to indulge them with great caution, and
with duo respect for the laws.
As for the appointment of an agent for Hun
gary, we had perfect right to do it for the pur-
pose Of ascertaining whether she had become
and was likely to remain an independent power.
For in thatevent, it was our right and interest to
But we had no right to create such an agency
for sympathetic purposes
Our Democracy went very wild with sympa-
thy for the revolutionary movements of Europe
during the last three years. and the result shows
t-There is prevalent and very absurd senti-
ment that liberty can be won by few success
fnl battle. Alas it is the condition and re.
ward of many virtues, and Of good habits long
established. So that, MS general rule, the form
Of government permanently suhsisting over a
people, is the best to which they are adapted
A long submission even to despotsm Is proof
that people are Rt for nothing better. And
the process of Improvement is gradual, not sud-
den or revolutionary,
We dcpreoate, therefore, the manifestation b
our Government of sympathy, of applause or of
ccnsure, towards the conflicting parties Of other
countries. Yet if foreign nations resort to in
Prevention, they not only cannot complain of us
for doing 1t, but may render II polite for US to
intervene--for our own protection, Immediately
or remotely.
The Chevacr HULsEMAS, in his recent oor-
rcspondenoe with Mr.. WEBSTER, complains of
our Government for using terms of reproach to-
wards Austria and Of compliment towards Hun
gary, during the late struggle of the latter. But,
in fact, this was done by the President, General
TAYLOR, who was not our Government, as the
executive is in Austria. II Is only when Con-
gress and the President act together, that our
Government is responsible. Asfor the appoint
ment of Mr.. MASK, ar anybody else, to ascertain
whether the government of Hungary was sta
bic, it is not a subject of complaint But il is
unfriendly for the President, or any of our pub
lie functionarics, in their public capacity, TO ut
ter, even In communications wilt, each Other,
nyidious or offensive sentiments about the GOV
ernmcnts or policy Of foreign powers, unless
such imputations are connected with the dis
charge Of their special duties,
BY the way, we should like to invite the at
tention Of Hungarian sympatlizcrs to case
nearer home.
Hungary was united to Austria by fedora
tive bond. The legislature of Hungary was
separate, the executive was joint with that Of
Austria, and the Emperor Of Austria was King
Of Hungary only by the consent of Hungary.
Austria undertook TO change the tenure Of SOW
creignty, by her own power alone. Ivy accepting
the ahdica,ion az Me hate Emperor, and crown
ing the present one as Emperor Of Austria and
King OF Hungary, without the consent Of tho
latter And Austria also undertook W con.oli-
date Hungarian legislation wi.a her own. This
Hungary resisted 10 rebellion and all our sym.