The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-12
WASHINGTON: FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH
TIL Il r E ? u B Lie.
SPEECH OF HON. JACOB ID. MILLER,
Or New Jersey,
On The subject Of Intervention, detirered in the
United States Senate ON the 26M Of Feb
1870

On The subject Of Intervention, delivered in the
United States Senate ON the 26M Of Feb
,udry, 1852.
The PRESIDENT stated the pending question to be
upon the amendment Of the Senator from New
York, (Mr. SEwARD)
Mr. MILLER. Mr. President, it is seldom that
trouble either myself the Senate with discus
aion upon what called abstract resolutions. In
national aflairs, prefer acts to words; and when
there 10 nothing present which duty commands US
to perform, it wisdom to be silent. Yet there
are times and occasions in the history Of every
tion, when it is necessary to speak in advance of
coming events and thereby anticipate threatened
evils bya manly avowal of counteracting princi-
Piles.
The present, in my opinion, is one OF those occa-
slons. The Government is called upon to change
its foreign policy, and to assume new position in
Its social and political intercou se with the nations
Of Europe. This movement s stained by various
influences, domestic and foreign. Most fervent
and eloquent appeals have been made to our ma
tiona honor and pride, to our love Of liberty, and
to our sympathy with suffering humanity: All
classes and professions have given il their influ
ence. The press, the pulpit, and the bar, en-
listed in the cause; all demanding change in our
ancient international policy. And politicians
especially that most interesting class of them called
candidates-surprised by this sudden excitement,
become at first confused, then alarmed, and finally
throw themselves upon the popular wave to be
ried whithereoever the wind may drive them
In the midst of this outside storm our internal
agitaions are quite forgotten, and Wings and De-
mocrats, Abohtionists and Secessioniss, who
would never agree for a moment In managing our
domestic concerns, now unite like brothers in re-
gulating the affairs Of the world Under the pres
sure OF these exciting movements, Congress can
not remain quiet; we must do something worthy
Of the occasion But while nlost a rec that our Go
vernment should change its present position to
meet this emergency, there are none who tell US
what that new position should be.
The Senator from Michigan (Mr. CAss) says we
cannot stand still; yet he neglects to tell US whittier
we shall go. The friends Of progress expected
something more bold and decided from that Sena
tor; but they will excuse him, when they consider
the intricacy OF the subject and his present pecu
liar position.
The Senator from Illinois is more decided in his
determination to change national policy.
read what he says:
81 think il is time that America had foreign
and cries of 'Good' 'Goodnl l.
foreign policy predicated upon true interpreta-
uon OF the laws OF nations-a foreign policy in
cordance with the spirit of the age-[great ap-
plausel but not such foreign policy as have
seen attempted to be enforced in this country within
the last three years. [Cries of 'Goodi 'Goodnl
We have been told, and you are told every day,
that neutrality ia the true American policy; and
that plea has been the excuse for the acts which
have been performed by the existing Administra
ton in connexion with the Cuban question. (Great
applause They employ the American navy and
army to arrest the volunteers and seize the pro
visions, ammunition, and supplies of every kind
which may be sent in aid of the patriot cause and
at the same time give free passage and protection
to all men, ammunition, and supplies which may
be sent in aid Of the royalist and they CALL THAT
Again, the Senator says:
"T The distinguished Senator from Michigan
Mr.. CAss has told you that the next President is
TO be Democratic President. ! believe that il is
the will Of Providence and the will OF the people
also" [Great applause
II the "will of Providence" seconded by "the
will of the people,, should sustain the disinterested
opinions of the Senators from Michigan and Illinois
''that the next President is TO be n Democrat" ;"
there can be doubt but that the time will have
come for America 20 have n 'Joreigr policy" Ii
s much 10 be regretted that the honorable Senator
from Illinois, Of whom the world has taken note as
standing "the most immediate to our throne" has
thus, in advance, declared his determination TO
change the well-established policy of the Govern
ment. Others encounter the same difficulty as TO
the kind of intervention Some are for a declara-
,ion of sympathy for the oppressed for the
OF the oppressors-some for moral,
and others for material aid; but all are for inter
gention Of some sort. We cannot, they cay, stand
still, and be neutral when all Europe is in motion
md therefJre we must say a word, or strike a
blow in the cause OF liberty.
Now, Mr. President, have nothing to say
against that noble and liberal sympathy which
he people of this country manifes. towards the
oppressed of other lands This feeling may some
lmes be carried TO an extreme, and occasionally
all upon unworthy objects; but IT is noble
,irtue and testifes that liberty and humanity
ire not only merely embodied in the forms of our
Government, but that they have also a deep and
warm place in the hearts OF the American people
No State policy, however wise. can or ought to
prevent heart beating to heart, voice answering
INTO voice, when the weak and the oppressed call
or aid aud succor. | have nothing TO say against
his popular feeling in favor Of humanity. My
cmarks are intended TO apply solely 10 the con-
iuct of the Government in It's intercourse with
oreign nations, under appeals OF this character.
The feelings OF individuals may lead one way,
While the duty Of the Government points to the
opposite direction
II is not to be disguised that there exist. dis
position among a portion Of our people 10 inter
ncddlc IN the political affairs of Europe. This
ceiling receives strength just now from two
ourCes fret, from the connections in Europe
econdly, from desire on the part Of politicians
i home 20 use this feeling for party purposes.
Under these combined influences there is danger
hat this Government may become involved in the
fairs OF Europe. Everything purely American
: last becoming stale and vapid. There is dis
,ositon to quit our own, TO stand upon foreign
,round.
There is a class Of politicians (not in this cham
,er) who to live and move in foreign politics
each revolution in Europe cxcites them to such
ever heat that they cannot rect until our Govern
nent shall express, by word or action, its sympn-
by its indignation for against tho parties con.
crncd. With them every thing foreign has pc
uliar interest. Foreign CoOds and foreign labor
ire preferred to the domestic, and foreign votes. II
lot preferred a'e certainly more courcd than those
4 our native citizens. Impcllod by their sympa-
hies. they rush 20 the ocean shore with cyeglass 10
etect tho incoming ships loaded with tho rumors
4 European agitation, and, confused by political
nuags, all that they the distant waters is
o their vision, enlarged and distorted. Absorbed
foreign news, they forget the claims Of their own
have neither eye nor for domes.
ic matters. They deaf TO the call of American
abor for protection. They have no eye for our ne
Elected rivers and hNrbors. They cannot our
'roken- down forgcs and our ruined manufactures.
While the masses in Europe the object Of their
most ardent sympathies, the masses at home are
bandoned with cold Indifference, and left, unaid-
ID, TO fight the battles Of labor and national indie
,endence against the combined capital of Europe
n all that concerns American advancement and
american reform, they doubtful, timd, and
lon-committal; but, in European affairs, they are
ixcd, bold, aud positive and, although frightened
ntu silence by the noise and confusion OF domes
ic convention, they can speak in the tones OF the
var trumpet amid the thunders of European revo-
utions. Hitherto the influence OF our policy has
lcen to dmrioanise Europe; now, IL is To Europe
ini.e America. For the last hundred years the
people of Europe have been coming TO us for lib
,rty and free government; we are now TO carry
hose blessings to them, and build up free institu-
ions upon the rotten foundations OF dcspctism.
To meet this anti American state Of things, the
OF the senator from Rhode leland Mr.