The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-13
No. 2O6.

complete ascend enc y of welding at will the Who'll,
moral and physical power of the North and South
Americans-what advantage have we to gain by IL
First in the order Of time, our Republic Is now, ano
must be. first in power and intelligence; while
faithful to the principles OF the solemnly' adopted
Constitution, the people will be prosperous ire"
and happy. Will the brilliant situation of the head
Of the American Confederacy add to the stability
OF our Constitution, to the property freedom, or
happiness of the peope? To neither. Our splcn-
dor will dazzle the eyes Of other nations power
may shake Africa, Asia, and Europe. We shall
exchange solid popular comfort and domestic hap
piness for empty national spcndor. We shall
have brilliant wars, in which our gallant sailors
and enterprising soldiers may gain deathess re
nown, and brilliant alliances TO immortaliZe our
adroit diplomatists; but every contest will increase
the burdens necessarily imposed upon the people.
until We shall look, as English statesmen will soon
be compelled to look, to national bankruptcy, at
the only refuge from the effects OF popular despair
To the fatal consequences OF looking beyond our
| own resources, If mixing our destiny with that OF
other nations, the Farewell Address Of the most il
lustrious man, not OF our country, but OF the
| age in which he lived directs our attention. lie
speaks to his countrymen in the language OF nifec
| tion more than parental, of wisdom almost pro-
phetic, TO warn them against the danger Of foreign
| alliances. To me. sir the least excusablc part o
| the management of this Panama question is the al
tempt which has been made to give false coloring
to these last counseIs of Washington"
General Taylor's views on Intervention, in his
inaugural:
thize with all efforts to extend the blessings of civil
and political liberty. But, at the same time, We
are warned by the admonitions Of history, and the
voice OF our beloved Washington, to abstain from
cntangling alliances with foreign nations and all
dispuIss tefiresn conflicting gouernmenfs.
''lt is our interest, no lcss than duty, to re-
main sfrictly neutral, while our geographical posi-
tion-ihc genius of our n5titutions-the advancing
spirit of civilizationand above ALL the dictates OF
religion, direct to the cultivation of peaceful
and friendly relations with all Other po,cers."
Such were the sentiments of one whose lofty pa
triotism and purity OF purpose endear him to our
warInest veneration and respect. Many croco-
die tear shed upon his remains 10y men who
eulogized the dead, whom, when living, they
treated with contumely more pure and honest
man, nor a braver soldier, has ever been elevated
to power. 81 have" said he, "endeavored to do
my duty" He did do it--and he would have con-
| tnued to do it if his life had been spared to his
country.
Such, Mr. President were the precepts and the
declared opinions of those who have enjoyed q
nations confidence, aud are entitled to nation S
gratitude. have heard ii said, indeed, such were
tho teachings of those who lived in the preceding
days of our Republic, and were well enough in
our weakness, but wholly unsuited to our present
usty and vigorous manhood IL is said, Why
take from the tombs the sheeted dead. and array
before this progressive age their time worn and
ploded principles and policy? Sir, men change
but principles never. invoke them that they may
teach US wisdom, and calm and dspassionate use,
but not abuse, of the blessings which Con, in His
~
turn from this sad array of the dead, and direct
| our attention to the same sublime and prudent
counsels uttered by those who yet live and justly
occupy a conspicuous place in the public eye, and
command the warm affections Of a generous people.
Sir, there is an illustrious Individual member
| of this body-whose declining health keeps him
| from our councis, yet whose ardent love for his
country, and devoted real for the perpetuity of her
| institutions, give to his warning voice solemn
| and sublime authority.
| ! need hardly say that reior TO bis interview
with the distinguished Hungarian. What he then
said has been 30 recently spread before the l.
try that it could only be supereroga,ion to repeat
it here. Yet truthful is the whole argument against
the principles and the policy Of intervention. The
| great statesman aftrms his adherence TO the for
| eign policy OF this Government, which, says he
81 have long and constantly cherished" Again
he says
"Sir. the recent melancholy subvereion Of the
| republican government oil France, and that en-
lightoncd nation voluntarily placing Its neck un-
| der the yoke Of despoiism, teach us 10 despair o
any present success for liberal institutions ia Eu-
rope, IL gives US impressive warning not 10 rely
upon others for the vindcation Of principles,
but TO look to ourselves, and to cherish with
than ever the security OF our institutions and
the preservation Of our policy and principles. by
the policy TO which we have adhered since the days
| Of Washing Rton we have proepered beyond prece-
dent; we have done more Tor the oause of liberty
in the world than arms could elect; we have shown
| to other nations the way 10 greatness and happi-
ness. And IL We but continue united as one peo-
i
riencc has clearly and triumphnntly vindioated,
we may in another quarter Of a century furnish an
example which the reason OF the world cannot re-
sist But If should involve ourselves in the
tangled web OF European politics. in a war which
could effect nothing, and II in that struggle
Hungary should go down, and VIC should go down
with her, where then would be the Last hope Of the
fricnds Of freedom throughout the world? Far bet
ter Ia il for ourselves, for Hungary, and for the
cause Of liberty. that adhering 20 our wise pacific
system, and avoiding the distant wars Of Europe,
we should keep our lamp burning brightly on this
western shore as light 10 all nations, than 60
hazard its utter extinction amid the ruins Of fallen
or falling republics in Europe. As adyng man, !
oppose your doctrine Of Intervention"
In this moment OF excitement this is a precious
legacy 10 his country. and bis undying fame
shall be crnbs med In our varmcsi gratitude and
love
Sir, there /, another eminent individual, whose
high character and elevated position give TO bic
opinions, and 10 the calm expression of his pfnci
ples. a comma nding claim TO our respect and con
sderstion. In the courteous ful6lment Of his duty
the Executive Of the nation, he received the
Hungarian chief, and Unexpectedly called
upon 10 listen 20 his address. filled with lofty
timents and burning real for his country. lie cr-
pressed bis deep sympathy as man with Hunga-
~ in her struggle for independence and freedom
and yet, With proper caution, he svowed his own
principles Of our national policy, corroboratcd by
the profound teachings Of his predecessors. Fifty
and happily he answered
81 am happy, Governor Koss tn, 60 welcome
you 10 TINS lsrd oi ifscootn ana N gives me plea
sure 20 congratulate you upon your release from a
long confinement in Turkey, and your safe arrival
here. As an individusl, ! sympathized deeply with
you in your brave struggle for the independence
and freedom OF your native land. Tho American
people never be Indifferent TO such contest /;
but our policy a nation in this respect has been
uniform from the commencement Of our Govern
ment, and my own views, ma the Chief Executive
Magistrate of this nation, are fully and freely
pressed in my recent message TO Congress, 20
which you have been pleased 20 allude. They are
the same whether speaking TO Congress here, or to
the nations OF Europe.
"should your country be restored 20 indcpend-
ence and freedom, should then wish you-as the
greatest blessing you could enjoyn restoration TO
your native land; but, should that never happen,
can only repeat my welcome to you and your com.
panions here, and pray that Gods blessing may
rect upon you wherever your lot may be cast
Martin Van Burcn, another distinguished man,
a former President Of the United States, has for
once expressed hs opinions in n language clear
and unrnistsksble. This was before the construc-
ton Of the Buffalo platform, and may be taken az
the sober sccond thought la HE inaugu gura address
no says.
owe sodulously cultivate the friends ship Of all
nations. as the condition most compatible with our
welfare and the principles Of our Government.
We decline alliances ms adverse TO our peace . 3