The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-17

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safer feel that my country is safer, while pursu-
Tag the policy Of Washington, than in maxi n g
an- ne W experiments in politics, upon any ex,
nnSy;,,n, o. Washington's legacy and advice to the
American peop,e 80 ,hls 80 H.
Washington travelled, and ,' every Ircslasn,'
from Washington to Fillmore, ..,.snt;nn
! [Great cheering.l This policy of non-ins> .;n'
in the affairs of other countries has been m~ -
| tained and sanctied by all our great magistrates
! [Renewed choering.] may be defective in what
Is called "the spirit Of the age," for aught know;
but acknowledge that feel safer in this ancient
and well tried policy rhan in the novelties OF the
present day.
Ard now, in conc usion, hope may be excused
for saying .hat it has been the effort, and the hon
est effort of the present Administration aak no
compliment for ito follow in the track that
| Washington marked out and with whatever un-
equal steps, it has endeavored to follow after him
| That has been the model upon which Mr.. Fillmore
has endeavored, as 1t regarded all foreign coun-
tries to fashion the policy OF his Admins
tration. [Great aPplause.]
REMARKS OF MR.. TOOMBs, or GEORGIA.
| Mr.. President AND GENTLEMEs: ! conGrstn-
| late you that the particular duty assigned to me
has been 80 well-so much better than could have
performed it-pcrfortted by another. In iilustrat-
ing the virtues and policy Of Washington. our dis
tngushed friend, Mr.. Crittenden. 10 whom you
and !, and all of us, listened with much Plea
sure, has nearly exhausted the particular branch
OF the subject which was assigned to myself Bat,
sir inspired W the example Of some OF my friends,
upon such an occasion, calling for the American
feeling of all of US, will offer some suggestions
upon which arguments may be bu.i. will not
offer to this enlightened assembly arguments in
favor Of this policy OF Washington. Its wisdom is
vindicated by its results Liberty, peace, pros
| perity, and national greatness, are its fruits.
am content to follow where he leads. am con-
tent to give full effect to the principles and POI.
| icy of his Farewell Address, that great legacy
which he has left to his countrymen and to man
kind, solely for the reasons upon which he based
them. [Great cheering.l ! cay that heartily
! approve the sentiment contained in the toast you
have just read, both upon authority and principle.
1t was announced and practiced upon by the Father
| of his Country whom it delights US all so much 10
| honor. 1t Is clothed in the terse vigorous, and
| concise language of one of the most iustrous Of
| American Statesmen, who embodied the popular
voice Of America in the Declaration OF American
| independence II contains The corner stone OF
Americas foreign poity-the wisdom of Wash
ington, clothed in the language OF Jefferson. Amid
all the conflicts of parry, all the changes OF foreign
and domestic policy to which we have been sub
| lect, this has hitherto escaped innovation. has
been strictly and firmly pursued by all parties and
every administration. Ii has not only never been
departed from, but il has been assailed until
within the last lew months and then IL ls worthy
OF remembrance, and from the bottom OF my heart
rejoice in the fact, that this rst assatlt upon the
doctrine of w Washington was not by an American.
| lGreat cheering Ii was by European who
seeks to seduce you from the policy Of the Father
OF his Country. Renewed cheering.l He can
have no response from an American heart. Loud
and prolonged cheering.
Sir, this great principle ifrd become an axiom in
American politics. No man contfoserted II. No
| man disputed il. All America assonted, and man
. fCnecrz he
chief of an unsuccessful revolution, who abandoned
the cause it was his duty TO die for, TO make this
assault. Great cheering The chiei OF a great
revolution cannot afford To survive its defeat.
More cheering lie who assumes the high trust
Of overturning government and establishing the
Liberties Of people, stands pledged to mankind
FOR success or the grave. lRenewed cheering He
cannot redeem himself or his country by the pence
| or tho generous sympathy Of foreign countries.
The work is too great for such means as these
] The regeneration OF a nation must be her osE
| work. Tremendous cheering for some moments.
Sir, approve Of Washingio 3 policy, fret, be-
cause II Is has policy; and, secondly because II IL
| sound policy, true policy, a just policy. lts
soundness, its truth it's justice, vindicatcd by
| our own experience Of sixty years. We have pros.
percd. We have riscn from a email and incopsid-
cradle power, or, you may say, from no power at
all, 20 the position Of Of the first powers OF the
world. Neither this policy OF ours, nor its aniago-
mist, is fully defined by the terms "intcrvenuoR
and non .intcry cntion" Washugton's = policy was
a wise. and enli lightened, and comprehensive policy
His object was that TO which HE whole life had been
devoted, to protect and to perpetuate the liberty
| and independence of his country. The special
/ dangers against which he warned his cOuntrymcn
were political connection with European gov
crnments, " implicating ourselves by artificial
ties IN the ordinary vcissitudcs Of her politics, Or
the ordinary combinations and collisions Of her
/ friendships and cnmitics," quitting s'uur own
TO stand ON lOrcign ground" "interWcaying our
destiny with that 0i any part Of EUr0pc" "eniang.
ling our peace and prosperity in the tolls OF ku-
ropean ambition, rvalship, inirtf. hufnor. or ca
puce, J." subectiDg " the will aud policy" Of this
country % 10 tue will and policy" of other coun.
tries. lie negatives the reasoning ~ well tho
fact OF changing our country In European poll.
tics. HE argument nnswers oil the plaUsiblc fii-
lacies In favor OF crusade Tor pulling down dcs-
potisms Or building up republics; and asserts
clearly and distinctly cur duty e. act iusily and
impartiaily towards all nations, no matter what
may Toe their form Of governmcnt-t0wards al bel
hgercnts, no matter what may be their cause If
quarrel lie sought 10 place his country In pos.
lion where, neither entangled by foreign alliances
nor compounded with foreign politics interest
she might on all occasions and IN every emsrgon-
cy, freely adopt that policy which might be best
calculated 10 protect her own rights, maintain her
own interests, and promote her own happiness. n
II be necessary 10 secure these great ends, % in
| tericre in the affairs Of other nations, then Il
I is not only our right bot our duty 10 interfere.
/ fApplausc Bot that interference rnust not be az
an intermeddler In the affairs of others. bot ns a
party with rights 10 ASSERT and interests TO main.
tain. lRcncwcd applause ! have said this vas
American policy. | consider il no small honor o.
my country that IL IL so. have shown ~ Amcri-
can origin. ] have shown you the position Of
American Statesmen History will tell you oi is
antagonism 20 the diplomacy ui the Old World.
IL was policy that they did not prsct.ce-sbove
and beyond all their miserable schemes Of over
reaching each other, all their selfish combinations
for personal and family agErandizemcnt az the
cost Of justice and q right. Il vas based upon
the grcat principle that. while u was the duty of
American Statesmen Co direct it, foreign poiiCy y
properly, with reference 30 the interests. honor.
safety and rights OF America. fchecrs.l yet that
its fundamental principle was inparuality and
iusticc to all the nations Of the earth. TINS vas
the new testament Of diplomacy ~hch the New
offered 70 the Old World. tGrent applause.
have told you that0 our experience for sixty years
has illustrated this policy mark you, my
friends, we have had experience on both sides; We
have had experience IN intervention and eutanE.
ling alliances. of binding our policy o. Europcan
policy; aud Washington struggled through the
whole course of his administration, tied down and
restricted by the contract we had entered into in
60, aarkCst pcris oi QUO Revolution /, was the
price Of National independence; 1t came near
strlnghug its oVn oilspung.
The French treaty was The most difficult oues.
ton Of Washingtcn's administration. lie great
ID a