The southern press., 1852-01-15
For the Southern Press.
Intervention.
No. 8.

PROFESSIONALLY the principle of non-interven-
ton, as applied to the interference of Russia
with the struggles of Hungary,is founded in
justice and equity; nor can it be controverted
without her entire abandonment of the funda-
mental maxims of our own government. But
adopting great general principle, | conceive,
imposes no obligation to maintain it against the
whole world, except it should be violated in re-
lation to ourselves. Still less does it authorize
or justify us in attempting to impose it on
principle. If Russia, against which this con.
templated declaration of Intervention is princi-
pally, if not altogether, directed has no right to
intervene between Austria and Hungary, by
what right does the United States interpose to
prevent that Intervention? 1t may be sad.that
one is right the other wrong. But "who shall
decide when doctors disagree !" and who shall
decide when nations disagree? Such contests
are not settled by arguments, but the sword
No nation can assume and act on this doc
trine Of non-intervention with any but weaker
States, without entailing on itself long strug-
gle for its maintenance; and conceive there is
no obligation on the United States to become
its champion, except when they themselves, or
their immediate neighbors, with whom their in
terests are intimately connected are directly
assaied. The United States would be fully
justified in making such a declaration against
the intervention of England in the affairs Of
Nicaragua, or the pretensions of England and
and Spain, and, in my opinion, it is the duty of
the government promptly to take that course.
If it neglects to do this, how can it consistently
maintain principle against Russia, which does
not in the slightest degree affect itself, or its
neighbors, while, at the same time, neglecting
TO apply il in cases in which they are directly
and deeply concerned? Will not such course
distinctly show to the world that the imputation
of subserviency or Partially to England, so of.
ten made against the party now administering
the government is not without foundation!
| II should not be lost sight OF, that the Hun
garian exile, in proposing this cooperation of
the United States and England, though he does
not directly assert, assumes as certain, that the
British government is ready TO sanction his
proposition. We are then solicited to make
common cause with England in her system of
European policy. say European, because she
has one policy in Europe, another in Asia, and
third in America, all based on opposite princi-
pies, adapted to her interests in those different
quarters. In Europe, it seems, she is ready to
become the great champion Of non.intervention (;
in Asia, she has laid Hindostan at her feet, and,
one by one, deposed the native soveregns, or
rendered them her tributaries, by melting and
mingling in their domestic conflicts, and finally
subjugatng them by the aid of each other !;
while, in America, she is protecting" the native
savages Of the Isthmus, by a direct Intervention
with the rights and sovereignty of the indepen-
dent State, of Nicaragua. If the United States
become associated with England in this declara-
ton against intervention, they are equally bound
TO apply il to Asia and America, as well as Eu-
rope, and, 10 cooperate with England in all
these various systems of contradictory policy.
This wonld be asserting great principle with
a vengeance-a principle with almost as many
heads and horns as the beast in the Revelation,
and sufficiently flexible TO suit the interests Of
England in all parts Of the globe.
In what have said or shall say in future,
beg to be distinctly understood as having not
the remotest intention of impeaching the motives
Of the illustrious exile, in thus attempting To
draw the United States into the contradictory
and conhex policy Of England, and engulf
them in the vortex Of European politics. He is,
in fact, attempting to place the milestone of an
old sinking world, about the neck Of young
one which is rapidly rising to glorious matur-
ity. But no man who has watched bis past ca
reer, or listened to, or read his appeals to the
people of the United States, replete with all the
force and fervor Of sincere and matchless elo-
quence, can for a moment doubt that his sole
object, that which fills his heart to overlooking,
is the freedom and happiness Of his beloved
Hungary. For myself, ] do not believe for a
single moment, that the policy or interests Of
England have the slightest influence over his
acts or his words, any further than they admin
ster to the attainments Of that great and only
object / believe a truer patriot does not
breathe, either in the New or in the Old World
and nothing but the higher duty owe to my
own country, could induce me to point out TO my
countrynen the stubborn fact that he is, without
intendiugt il, the organ Of British, as well as Hun
garian interests; and that his project Of cooper
alton between England and the United States
is one of most dangerous tendency to the lat
Z ter, so far as regards its future consequences
These appear to me little less than certain and
inevitable, and ] shall proceed briefly to poin
them out.
The frstconsequence Of an interference in thu
great struggle between Russia and England
from European as well as Asiatic ascendency
on the part Of the United States, must be eithe
tbaf n us.;a will ba overaWed bv e. and deeis