Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-28
Postmaster Genera

The National Inelgenc er, at the conclusion OF an
article showing that the obligations of public law and
the faith OF treaty OF thirty years standing win
Spain solemnly bind our government to compel its cit
liens TO abstain from enterprises against the territories
of that power, makes the following remarks on the par
tcua policy heretofore observed by the United States
and the proper be taken by the Executives
and Congress-
This G overnment, were it not otherwise soemny
pledged as we have shown, would be bound by re-
gard to its honor and professions, to compel Its
citizens to respect the authority of Spain far as TO
abstain from all enterprises against Its territories
Non intervention 10 the internal administration OF other
Governments is the established policy OF the United
States, and universally recognised as such by every
administration this Government.
| AS guarantee of this policy, and to enable it to
keep its citizens within the pale OF that policy the
United States has set the example to the aoortd OF
passing law providing penalties Of flnc and mprison-
ment to be inflicted upon any one who shall, within
the territory or jurisdiction OF the United States, begin
set on foot, provide prepare the means, tor
any military expedition enterprise, 10 be carried on
against the territory domnons OF any foreign Prince
sate Of any colony district, or people, with whom
the United States are at peace. This law Is even OF
older date than the Treaty with Spain and passed
to prevent precisely similar enterprises to that of Lo-
PEI and his associates. No law has ever done more
to elevate the character Of the United States than this
unless it be the law declaring the Foreign Slave-trade
| to be Piracy.
| Notwithstanding the positive and explicit legislation
OF Congress on this subject it is notorious that in the
Courts OF the United Sstes for the District OF Louis ana
it has been found impossible enforce the execution
of the law when the offender has been prosecuted and
it is understood to be equally certain that the vessels
which have most recently sailed from New Orleans
criminal expedition against the territory of Spain
have departed in defiance of the Law or the Officers
OF the United States. It becomes highly necessary to
institute an inquiry. therefore, as Mr.. Jefferson said
upon memorable occasion, "whether the defect was
in tie testimony The luz, or The execution Of the
dw" 1t the ater-that is to say, il any Officers OF the
Government have been found betrayng their trust by
connvance by intentional absence from their posts,
or by shrinking from the performance of their duties,
the ubic welfare requires that their places be forthwith
supplied by Of frmness, iearlessness and proper
sense of duty The character of the President is
well known to admit of doubt that he will omit
proper exercise of the Executive power to The
authority and the laws of the United States TO be
specled.
twill be for the wisdom of Congress, when it con-
venes, to inquire whether the laao is too feeble to
compsh its objects. IT SO, it raust be strengthened
by provisions such became necessary during the War
OF 1872 protect the Officers of the United States
the execution Of their lawful duties and give the
laws their proper efficacy. Unless this be DONE our laws
and our Courts will become by-word and Jest even
own country,