Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-10-31
THE TAMMANITEs AND PUBLIC LAW.

One of the resolutions passed at the recent
meeting of the Tammanv party, New oFN'
related to the Foreign policy of the U. States.
It indicated what that policy should be-not
only extending the right hand OF fellowship to
all oppressod nations, hut something beyond
the moral aid ofsympathy. 1t plainly express
sed in one of the resolutions that the foreign
polcy Of the United States should be shaped
with a view to extend assistance to all reToiu-
tionists on the American or European conll-
nent. According to its language the priclples
of public law should not form any impeachment
The people Of the United States should make
a public law unto themselves, suitable to their
institutions, circumstances, and condition.
The international codes Of the rest rest OF the
civilized world, it is significantly intmated, has
no binding force or obligation on our country.
If this is to prepare the way for fresh schemes
OF conquest-if invasion of other lands, which
we arc under treaty obligations not to invade
if this is the new programme CT foreign pohcy
which is to herald the election Of the next IRE.
sidercy- which is to form the touch-stone OF
party. and the result of the election should cor.
respond with it--then would the maxims OF
Washington, in his foreign policy, he widely de-
parted from, and this country will have COM
menced embroilments, having no end, with the
Nations of Europe which hold dominion on this
Continent, or have colonial Or maritime inter
ests to defend in the American seas.
We are apprchensivc that some such issue Is
to be forced into the next Presidential canvass.
We think we perceive unmistakeabe signs OF
this Purpose and tendency to set aside in our
country the rules and obligations which stay
the strong arm, where there is rot physical
force and energetic government at hand, TO ar.
rest and punish their violation. 1t is morally
incumbent on the people Of the United States,
in proportion as they recede from the presence
of European power, to respect public law, IN
is application to European possessions on this
Continent Our vicinity gives ms advantages
The remoteness Of the parties which an ocean
divides from those possessions, renders the claim
to the guardianship Of that law strong, without
the sanctity that belongs to treaties uf amity,
which are in substance treaties OF mutual terri
torial guarantee.
Now, that the press should here and there
give ont insnualions that the code OF nations is
not of binding obligation on the people of the
Uniun--that its lcentous conductors should
covertly hint to the unquict spirits among us,
that it is the office OF patriotism to add new
domains to the territory Of freedom -exctes no
surprise, for such is their natural vocation; but
that leaders who profess to guide, and who FIRE.
quently control the opinions Of party, should
Incorporate with their solemn resolves those
that deliberately proclaim doctrines winch no
form of European innovation has yet exhibited
affords the most melancholy proof that large
portion of the American people is thought 10
be prepared to cut themselves oos" from the
rules and usages of civilized nations We hope
there is no foundation for this expectation.-
We trust that these Tammanites of New \ lork
will meet with no large portion of popular sym.
patty, in thus endeavoring to arouse hatred for
those precepts of public law which genius and
civilization have consecrated.
Char. Ere News