The republic., 1851-12-17


who shall aver!
In the foregoing have explained, l trust to
your satisfaction, the principle which Is the legti-
mate basis of policy; which you will find, sir,
the real "publio opinion Of the people" and which,
moreover, is or should be, "a ruling principle Of
our National Government;' and il. as you claim,
''the natural. logical, unavoidable practical conse
quences OF [thisl own freely y-chosen Govern
ment policy, ,, be the armed non intervention theory
which you would have embrace, then, for one
sir, am mistaken in the gonius Of our republican
mission.
But what is this theory Of non-intcryention, of
which we have 80 indefinite an idea' If under
stand il Alright, ID is simply the declaration by
government of the right Of every nation to settle
its internal affairs, and protest against the inter-
ference OF any other nation in hose aifairs. Thus
the Government ofthe United States in its legsla-
tive and executive quality is asked to say to Rus
sa, eve declare hs right Of HungGry TO settle her
gooernment, and protss against your assist
ing Austria TO coerce Hungary" Now, az mere
declaration and protest, this would appear no moro
than Legitimate expression OF sense of Justice;
| but we are likewise called upon to back our pro-
| test with two arguments-the sword and purse OF
the nation. This, you assert sir, is duty; and
you cite the example of the Saviour, who not only
werahipped in the temple himself, but drove out
only be priests Of freedom. but must smite those
who are not This. you say. is our duty, and "a
duty which has no limit only the power to fulfil
| it," Thus, the republic of San Marino cannot be
expected to stop the Gar because is too weak but
the Republic of the United States aWpeotod to do
| 30, because she is strong. 'To whom much is
given of him much will be required. So, then,
the principle of non-inervention involves just two
things !. declaration Of the rights of individual
] nations; and q threat to enforce those rights at
the swords point. This is non intervention, as we
| understand it. and you yourself Judge how far
il comports with the principle stated as the basis
of American republican policy.
| But you ask to assert this doctrine of armed
non Intervention in behalf of great cause-that of
European ropublicaniem against the spirit of Rus
| sian absolutism, which you aptly denominate the
principle OF evil in Europe. grant, sir, that the
object is a holy one, embracing the rights of hu-
manity; but, ask, would you have abandon
our national position as the moral refuge of free
dom. and descend into physicalstruggle to- which,
at best, we can lend but very inefficient aid! Would
you have all the moral power OF rcpublicanism in
| the world staked in con test, and risked at one
| throw of the dice? What, sir, would be the exuta
ton OF tyranny-wh the despair of freedom--if,
in spite Of hs United Siaiss the Gear and absolut-
| ism should triumph? Can. foresee the end,
| And is not this consideration a solemn one?
| But, in the enthusiasm of your belief in jus
tice, you affirm that the declaration and protest OF
our Government, in conjunction with England,
against Russian interference, will be sufficient to
alter the Czar's course. He will, you cay, feel
| such respect for those governments that he will
pause and abandon his policy, give up the very
life and strength of absolutism, and become con-
| server of human rights; change from the "prin-
| ciple Of evil' TO become principle of good. Are
~ IN n
| sia disgorge Poland? respect the nationality of
Circassia? forego her hold Gallica? forget her
designs on Turkey 1t is as plausible to hope that
she will retire into her ancient Muscovitic limits
and release every vassal nation from Novogorod
10 the Crmca, to look for her recognition Of the
rights of nations without fret measuring her
strength in the field. And if we make our plat. 2
form of this naked doctrine OF non intervention,
may not be called upon to espouse the cause of
every nation in Europe or Asia that is now tribu
tary to another, be it democratic or monarchic;
and whore shall the line be drawn If we prevent
Russia from coercing Hungary, we permit
England to- assist Indian prince against
other? And shal we not ASSERT the right ofIreland
or Kafirand to nationality, and to all the benefits
guaranteed by non-intervention?
You have said, sir, that the objection brought by
| "over anxious men" of the probability of a war
following armed non intervention declaration
is like as If somebody should say, "If the vault Of
Heaven breaks down." and you reply that cit will
not break down." and that 30 likewise, Russia will
not fight! Such opinion may be grounded well;
but there are many among US who believe not only
that Russia will fight, but that she is
ous' for war--if only to keep her "bayonets from
thinking"
But sir, let us briefly consider the abilsty of our
Government. in case of war, to assist your strug-
frlip IA
regard our protest and pursue her ambitious de-
signs. Suppose that. oonjoinsly with Great Bri-
tain, we have blockaded every Russian port; that,
moreover, our cruisers 30 ubiquitous as to pre-.
vent swarns of privateers and letters of maruue,
with Spanish Portuguese, Russian, Austrian.
Danish crews, from capturing merchantmen,
and thus cripping our enews OF war; still, after
all, we render little service 20 republicansm un-
less we assist its struggle, and oppose ts foee upon
the Iand-unless we aid Hungary Italy against
the Crnr az England aided Spain against Bona
parte-by taking the field. And has our Govern
ment the ability to do this? glance at our sue
cess in raising military force for the late Mexican
campaigns is worth volume of argument on this
score.
When il was proclaimed that war existed be-
tween this country and Mexico, it was the signal
Of about the came sort Of popular enthusiasm that
you have witnessed since your arrival here Mass
meesngs, orations, and legislative action, all at
tested the fact that the quarrel was popular one
Congress voted money and men, and the work of
raising armies went on with vigor But with what
reeus. the reports of the Secretary of War to the
Thirtieth Congress will give an idea:
The aggregate Of REGULARS authorized to be raised
for service in the Mexican war was 2ssI4
Force actually raised. ed...,..........,..... 90, 1893
1
| Deficiency .,,,,......,........, s491
VOLUNTEERS, rank and file, called for un
der the vari ,us requisitons,. ......s..4. "a s53
Actually mustered. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ~ ASA
l
Deficiency. ,,........,,.......,... ,40l
Total deficiency .,.............. 1851
| force Of only 6s,667 demanded by Government,
and scarcely three fourths of that number raised
To supply the deficiency in the volunteer reei.
ments, an act of Congress was passed, giving the
President authority TO accept the services of Gin.