The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-11

Our own history presented a memorable exam
pie OF the exercise ot the ght 10 declare princi-
| Pile OF aional law Mr. Nlonroe's views si,ui.
| lar question: solemnly announced Ia Congress and
the world, form well known part of our political
history. Dir. Monroe denied to the European pow
ers the right To ntermesde with the new govern
ments OF this hemisphere, and also the right 10 es
tahlish new colonies in any part OF America. Mr..
Monroe did not, cou Il not, pledge bis country 10
| go 10 war 10 maintain this position
No man could object that this conserr atire rene
dy, OF expression of our opinion, will lead 10 abuse,
or will destroy itself by too frequent application.
| lie alluded TO the rapid growth and present pros
| perty and power of the United Ststcs, and TO the
great moral influence and power which the solemn
judgment and opinion OF such people should have,
w hat earthly tribunal had better hight than the
Congress of the American people TO pronounce the
opinion of the people on such subjects! lie re-
ierred TO the expressions Of opinion by other le.
| gislatures.
| lie read copious extracts from spceches by Mr..
| Canning, Lord PalmcTston, and other British
statesmen.
He considered tho declarations of Washington
and jefferson as wholly inappropriate when APP
piled To the circumstances in which placed
at this day. They were for non intcrvention; but
would any American say that either Of those pa
triots would condemn the declaration of hs coun-
try's opinion upon great question of public law
He quoted from their works 10 show that they
meant such thing.
lie referred 10 the great and increasing CONNER
cal and political interests Of the United States, and
tSslty imposed on
with sieePiess vigilance the integrity and iuvola
biiy of the law of nations.
To the rumored declaration that the dcspotic
powers of Europe would attempt TO prevent Eng.
land aliordlng refuge TO those who escaped the
tolls of tyranny, he said he hoped England would
resent by all her force such gross violation Of the
public law.
Speaking OF the mission Of the United States he
said that he told kossuth, in their first interview
that the people OF the United States were not pre-
pared TO MAINTAIN the rights of Hungary by war;
that the only influence we could exert was a moral
and not physical lilo was surprised that
any American could contemplate an offensive war.
to be carried on by fleets and armies sent to the
Baltic or TO the Adriatic, or TO both. Such an un,
dertakng could hardly be the subject of serious in.
vestigaiion, nor worthy Of serious refutation.
Our present duty and policy, he said are to
place our views upon record, thus avoiding CON
illusions against Us, and rescrving all rights
and all our remedies, whatever these may be, for
future consideration, when the political viciss-
tudss OF Europe may strengthen the force of opn-
ion there by increasing the number and power of
as We are in this great question, and whose views
would be similar TO our own
He said that his remarks were prepared before
the Senator from Rhode Island Mr. CLARKE) had
addressed the Senate; he would take another oc.
casion TO reply TO that Senator. lie then made
some further remarks upon the writings and
advice OF " ashington, IA intended for different
state of circumstances than those existing at the
present time.
On motion by MIR. CLEMENS, the subject was
postponed TIL Thursday.
And. after an Executive session
The Senate adjourned.