The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-18

our existence among the nations of the earth,
by an affirmation Of the inalienabty and
equality of Human Rights. We have been re-
peating this affirmation, with imposing solem-
mites, every year since, for three quarters Of
century. Is it not, then, the high duty of the
Government to place itself, in all its foreign
relations, actively on the side of Human
/ Rghts-on the side of the principles on which
it is founded and which alone constitute is
justification
IL is needless to argue the point Every en-
lightened American, not disloyal to the Faith
of his Fathers win cordially assent to it.
This is the Principle which should control
the foreign policy of the Government: and
among the modes by which it may be carried
out we name the following:
The Government should require, as inds-
pensable qualifications in all its representa-
tives of whatever grade, abroad. full faith in
the doctrine that all men are created equal.
with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness; that to secure these
rights Governments are instituted, deriving
their Just powers from the consent of the gov
.erned that it is the right of the People to
alter their Governments, or abolish them. sub
sttuting others in their place, when they be-
come destructive Of these ends or insufficient
to secure them that the People everywhere
are the sovereign, and should exercise their
sovereignty. 1t should be assured of their
fidelity to these doctrines, and of their ability
to maintain them under any form of Govern
ment where they may be required to exercise
their functions
The Ministers of Foreign Despotisms at
Washington are active in the cause of their
Governments They are open advocates of the
Despotic principle-untiring defamers of Eu-
ropean Patriots-unrelenting enemies of Re-
publicanism. What they do for Royalty here
honorably, American Ministers should do in
Europe for Republicanism Let them be ac-
tive for Liberty
Our Ministers abroad should be instructed
to recognise Republic the moment it s de-
clared legtimately by the Peoples will
.st,<. y. our dc rtieetou glet .,e,l,.
So i" ;" TiI ~~s'-'dS1'.~g ~
for Liberty it were disleal to neglect the OPP
portunity Here is an illustration of our mean
ing:
From the Ndiond htelhgencer
"A treaty between he United States and
Switzerland has been pending for several
months past but it WILDE seen by the follow
ing extract from the hsm0nedn, the Hebrew
organ in the city of New York that the treaty
will not probably be concluded, owing to reli-
gious disabilities interfering:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington. November "a 1851.
To Dr. M Lihenthal Nhc York
The Secretary of Star has directed me to
acknowledge the RECEIPT of the letter which
you addressed to him under date of Dist inst
and to state, in reply, that this Government
will not ratify treaty With the Swiss Confede-
racy which makes any determinations against
citizens of the United States of the Jewish
persuasion.
| am, very respectfully your obedient SER
want w. HUNTER,
Acting Chief Clerk
A righteous determir ation!"
Let the policy be exttnded-and concessions
to the Principles of Religion and Civil Liberty
be obtained, wherever possible. Why not seek,
by negotiation, to secure from the Pope of
Rome the recognition Of the Rights of Protest
ants within his dOminionsl
Another mode of carrying out the policy we
| have indicated is, to show especial considera-
ton Cor Republicans ana Constitutional Gov
ernments in Europe.
A revolutionary crisis is approaching in the
Old World. Nations it is expected, will throw
off the yoke, and assert their right to freedom.
Hungary will vindicatp her independence It.
ally will sweep away tie gang of petty despots
that nfest her classic ground. Shall the pa
per blockadcs of dcthrdned usurpers be respect
ed by this Republic Shall we permit our
commerce to be interfsred with by the absurd
| edcts of fugitive tyrants Never. We should
regard no blockade not maintained by an ad-
equate force.
Finally, wehoId bethe duty this Govern
ment to assert the Principle of Non-lnterven-
ton by one nation in he affairs of another,
and to urge the adoption of this Principle by
every member of the family of civilized nations
1t can do this consistently, as it has always
observed it in its own conduct ID should urge
it pertinaciousy, and promptly demonstrate
against every infraction of it. 1t is Princ-
pie of the Law of Nations obedience to it is
required by Justice and Humanity Our Gov
eminent has already demanded recognition
of it in relation to one hemisphere it should
demand its recognition in relation to both Its
own dignity az a great Power in Christendom,
fidelity to the principles on which its existence
is grounded proper regard for the law of
progress, its own interests in view of the dan
gerous power acquired by Absolutsm from the
repeated violation of this Principle, the fra
ternal duty it owes to nations, oppressed and
down-trodden, reverence for God, and justice
to mankind his offspring require this at its
hands. Failure to discharge this duty is trea-
son to the interests Of humanity The law,
love thy neighbor as myself is as binding on
Governments as on individuals this law binds
the individual not only to abstain from OPP
pressing his neighbor, but prevent by all
proper means, his oppression by others and
40 it binds Government
We have room now for scarcely more than
a statement Of our views The arguments by
which they may be maintained, and the OBJ
jcctions to them be refuted, will constitute the
material of much of our discussions hereafter
DEATH OF THE POET MONTGOMERY.
The name of James Montgomery has been a
household word in all the dwellings of Chris
tendon for more than half q century. His