The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-12

troll, you will also think of. and lay them before nae
on my arrival in Philadelphia; for which place
shall sat out to- morrow"
On the 18th of April, the President returned to
Phladeiph,a, then the seat of Government. and on
tha 18th he addressed circular letter to the Cabi-
net Ministers, enclosing for their consideration a
we'll dis ested series Of questions The answers to
which would form complete system by which to
regulate the conduct of the United States II her
intercourse with foreign nations. The result was
the celebrated proclamation of neutrality OF the
22d April. 1893.
Il was under circumstances like these, in opposi
ton to the popular sentiment at home, and in the
face Of all Europe in arms that Washington pro-
claimed neutrality. Then il Was that he who had
been first in war became first in peace. ph-n 1t
was that he, who by lnst war had achieved liberty
for his couptry gave a ns* law Of peace to the
world. Washington, whose blood rid been heated
in many patriotic battle, whose ear had Se.n quick
to catch the first roll OF the drum when country
and home called him to the field, now stood cold,
deaf, and immovable as a statue at this universal
war-cry for European liberty. This was the
Washington stand still poiey--that policy to which
the Senator from Michigan (Mr. CAss) has such a
mortal aversion. To stand still when nations are
in motion, and all people are for going ahead, is
seIt,denying virtue which THAT Senator cannot
comprehend. That Senator has passion Fur loco
motion, and when the worlds engine comes puff
fng along, and blows it's whistle IN the ear OF the
nation, he is for putting our Government aboard
for ride through Europe, to make tour OF OBJ
servation, visit Of concern.
Sir, there is deeper philoscphy in this Wash
ingtonian stand still policy than s0!ne gentle
men think for. That nation which can stand still
upon its own soil, resting upon its own independ-
snce, and relying upon lts own resources, while
other nations are in commotion, fighting and in-
terferng with each other, is the nation Of the EARTH
the government of commanding power and inlu
ence. That policy which caused Us to e,snd still
and look with national indifference upon the tc-
citing conflicts of interest and ambition OF tyranny
md daf xyh OYe pf he fri
Revolution, has accomplished more during The
last ten years for the real progress Of free nstitu
tions than will ever be obtained by fiibustering
intsrpeners and locomotive politicians to the worlds
threatens Europe, the statesmen Of this country
can muster moral courage enough to stand un-
moved by it's fury, shall prove to mankind
that our house is founded upon a rock.
The great power in natures system Of govern
ment is stand still power; about it circle the
heavens and the earth; itself immovable, shedding
from its high and isolated position light, and heat,
and glory, upon the moving world AS is the sun
amid the stars, is this great Republic among
the nations of the earth Fixed in its position upon
this new continent, it attracts the gaze and the ad
miration of the world. FROM it, from central
light, there goes forth daily influence of power
and reformation To deprive it of its isolation, to
disturb its fixed position, in order to carry its
power and influence TO distant country, would
be desperate act as to put the sun upon
wheels for the benefit Of beDighted planet; or,
make the figure more applicable, to cut up our
glorious luminary OF liberty into farthing candles.
and go about the world to enlighten some spot-a
Hungary or a Cuba-overshadowe by throne, or
darkened by despotism. Let us rather stand
still and await coming events. Day will succeed
to night; and when the Old World shall emerge
from the darkness of despotism, and her peo-
pie be prepared for self government, our light,
steady and fixed, will lead the regenerated nations
to liberty and independence. The proclamat ton
of neutrality Of 1893 was not, as is said, intended
by its author for mere temporary measure. 1t
was, with him, no time-serving policy. Ii was
the declaration OF n great principle, law for
the regulation Of an intercourse with other nitions
during all time. lie cherished and obeyed this law
during his political lite, and when he retired from
Office, he impressed II with immortality by giving
il place IN his Farewell Address. | will read
what be says
.'In relation the still subsisting war in Europe
my procla amstion of the 22d Of April, 1893 is The
index TO my plan. Sanctioned by your approving
voice, and by that OF your Representatives in bo,h
Houses Of Congress, the spirit of that has
continually governed me, unlnfluenced by any at
tempt TO deter or divert me from it,"
Thus did Washington maintain, and bequeath
TO his country AT his death, the great law OF nom
This law has faithfully been ad-
hered to by every succeeding administration, and
has called forth the admiration of the wise and
great men OF other countries Ii was to this poll
ICY that sheridan referred. when he said In the
English Parliament that the United States chad
with simple dignity that wins the respect, the
confidence, and the affection of the worldb
Now, Mr.. President, let us suppose that Wash.
ington had adopted different course Of policy.
What If he had yielded to the popular excitement
of the hour, and thrown his country-where many
of his countrymen wished to go-iuto the vortex of
European Intervention! The temptation to such a
course was strong; and most men, standing where
Washington stood, would have fallen before it's
influence
~. fol h.ya ~ ,I,,,,,,
against one OF the most powerful monarchies Of
Europe, at the head of young and ardent Repub-
lie, to which he had given liberty and indepcnd-
encc, the idol OF the people, skilfu IN and wise
IN counsel, the name and character Of Washington
would have given enthusiasm and strength TO any
course with which they might have been associated.
No time could have been more auspicious for a
successful contest oi freedom against tyranny, OF
republicanism against absolute power. All lhe
world seemed prepared for the conflict. United
with our former ally in the struggle for liberty
upon this continent, there little doubt but that
the Republics of France and America, contending
together for Republican government In Europe,
would have marched to a common triumph. and
our own flag have been waved with that OF France
over the subjugated thrones of the Old World,
and Washington, the hero OF an hundred bat
ties fought for human liberty, would have ri
vailed the military glory OF Napoleon himself
But, like Napoleon, he would have sacrificed the
independence OF his own country in cudeavOriug z
to give liberty TO foreign nations; and, like him.
too, would, ny iorsaking his own to stand on
strange ground, have found exile's lonely grave,
far from his native land. Thank Coo, Washing
ton had the moral courage TO resst the temptstion
Unmovcd by the plausible and eloquent appeals Of
an insidious foreigner, pleading for the cause of
European liberty; uninfluenced by domestic cx.
element, and undaunted by the threat of parties
and the contrvances ofpolitcians, he stood firmly
by his great principle OF neutrality, immoyable in
his purpose as the mighty continent which that
principle was intended TO protect Now, behold
the result; "look here upon this picture, and on
this;" upon the United States resting IN her glory
and secure in her proud frecdom-upon France,
wrthing beneath the agonies of ccaseiess revolu-
tious, submitting in her extremity to military de-
ISOLATION And by these examples learn, Oh my
cOuntrymcn! the virtue and tue power Of ncu-
trality, and the eakness and wickedness of inter
vcntion! The proclamatons VI Napoleon in favor
of national independence and human liberty, which
he Illuminated from every battle field, have per.
ished with his power to sustain thsm by war; while
this simple PROCLAMATION Of Washington, coming
from the quiet shades Of Mount Vernon, will ever
live in the peace and glory OF his country.
IL is said "that this neutral policy was merely
intended for our youth, when We were weak, and
feeble, aud unable to contend with the world, hut
that II is no guide for our full grown manhood"
Whatever may be the construction put upon this
policy by those who mOst wish TO get rid of n
nuence, Washington did not so understand IL; with
MIN 1t wa a permanent principle OF national &C.
uon, and no one who reads his Farewell Addrts IS