The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-23
Signs Of the Times.

I d
much food for reflection on the facts set forth,
and the differences drawn by our cotemporary.
| AMERICAN INTERVENTION IN EUROPEAN AF.
FAIRs-THE BEGINNING OF THE ESD.--While
our learned contemporaries are gravely discus
sing the nexpediency of abandoning the veneer
able policy Of onintervention in the affairs of
Europe, they seem to forget that it has already
been abandoned. The doctrine has practically
become an obsolete dea-a dead letter-a ira.
dition from the primitive days of the republic.
1t was well enough in the davs of four-horse
post coaches and sailing vessels but in this age
of electricity railroads. and steamships, the an.
tquated idea Of passive neutrality is exploded.
The action of Congress, and of the Executive,
at Washington, has introduced the modern doc
trne of active Intervention in behalf of republi-
can principles on both sides OF the water. We
have broken ground in several initiative steps, in
this new policy. .....
i. The act of Congress detailing a vessel of
the United States navy to the shores of Asia
was substantially an act Of Intervention in sup
port of the republicans of Europe, and the cast
ing down of the gauntlet to the despots.
2. The recommendation by the President, in
his annual message, of an official reception by
Congress, of Governor Kossuth, was second
step of active co operation with the cause of the
European democracy. .~
! 8. The JOINT resolution of the two Hou ses,
welcoming Ko ssuth to the country and the CAPT.
tai, the despatch of special messenger by the
President to bear the official invitation to the
distinguished exile, and the appointment Of com.
mittees in Congress to>Ieceive him upon his ar.
rival ut Washington, form another very decided
chapter of active intervention. e..
1t is not necessary to refer to municipal and
popular demonstrations--to proceedings of
State legislatures, and party assemblages Of all
parties-to the thousand Populations of welcome
extended to kossuh since his arrival in support
of his principles and his cause, as marking the
inclinations of the people Nor is it necessary
sides, to the appeal for material and financial
aid" to Hungary. Our reports of the donations
and collections, from day to day, to the Hunga-
rian fund, afford the most striking and absolute.
ly startling proof of the substantial character
of American sympathy. No sooner does the
great exile proclaim the financial branch of his
mission, than money comes pouring in upon him,
as if his cause and the liberties of Europe were
our own cause, and the guarantees of our own
independence But these proceedings are not
strictly part and parcel Of the practical adop-
ton by the United States Of the doctrine of ac-
tive intervention. Congress and the Executive
Department Of the general government are alone
invested with the practical control Of our for.
eign relations, and their action alone can decide
upon the future policy of the country. But
they have done enough to initiate the new doc.
trine of active Intervention in European affairs
in favor of republican principles, and against
despotism
The old doctrine of neutrality being thus
practically superseded, it becomes an interesting
question how far the new one is likely to be
pursued. What course will it take Perhaps
it may 60 no further; but a new principle once
introduced into the policy of our government or
Of any government, is more likely to be prose-
cuted than suddenly reinqdished. This is es-
pecially true of popular doctrine-a republi.
can doctrine-a doctrine fully up to the lift of
those high pressure engines Of popular senti.
uent, steamships and electricity-sa hundred
pounds to the square inch. The iniatitive steps
have been taken. We have crossed the Rubi
con of the old stand-stil idea Of Chinese neu.
traty and isolation from all 'outside barbarians
Whittier are We tending, and what are the pros
poets Of this enlargement: of the area of our for
eign relation
During the last summer we had several inter
views, in Paris, with Napolean Bonaparte. son
Of Jerome, and nephew of the great Napoleon,
and the only remaining scion of that family
who bears a resemblance TO the great conqueror,
| in his countenance and in his naturally quick
| perception Of correct conclusions. At one OF
| these interviews he remarked that the act Of our
| Ry<Ssnment Of sending a vessel OF war to the
dlef Of Kossuth and his associates in captisty,
was an act Of direct intervention in the aairs Of
| Europe, and ia support Of the republicans, and
that il would probably lead TO consequences of
the greatest moment, in view of the threatening
aspects Of affairs upon the continent Step by
step that act has been followed up by govern.
mental action, until nothing is left TO be done
except the official declaration Of Kossuth's doc
trine Of intervention TO enforce non.interveu-
| ton.
Mr. Walker, Of Wisconsin, the land reform
| candidate for the Presidency, has introduced a
resolution in the Senate, covering the whole
ground. We can hardly venture 10 predict the
passage Of the resolution; but its introduction is
significant Of its popularity in the West, and
tie agitation Of the questi' n in the Senate will
be like adding combustibles TO the fire. II will
be laid upon the table, but il will still be api.
tsted throughout the country, until the meeting
Of the national party conventions TO select their
candid ties for the Presidency.
| What will be The action Of these conventions
on this important subject-this grave and tire.
"
is manifest that the Wings will have nothing 10
do with this thing. They will no, touch il. Tam.
many Hall has indicated n decided leaning TO in.
teryention but the South il jealous Of il. The
movements Of DR.. Kinkel and the AboIitionsts
have rendered Southern politicians suspicious Of
the ultimate consequences Of lunging into n
general war. II may rebound upon them and
their institution Of slavery. So that, what with
the conservatism Of the old hunkers, and the
misgivings Of the South, the doctrine Of active
interference IN the prospective European convul.
sion !, not likely TO lie adopted, even by the
Democracy, ss their platform for the Presidential
campaign.
But there is third party-a party Of active
vitality in the North--a party which seems TO
have received a new impulse since the arrival OF
Kossuth, in having opened to them new field
Of agitation. This is the FreesOl and Abolition
psrty. Nothing will suit them better than the
rejection Of this new doctrine by the Wings and
| the Democrats. The Freesoi convention al
! Pittsburg will then do the business-adopt the
! principle, and fling themselves into the grand
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