Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-06

The great power in Natures system Of government
stand-sl power; about it circle the heavens and the
earth itself immoyabe shedding from its high and so
lated position light and heat and glory upon the moving
world. As is the amid the stars is this great
public among the nations of the earth. Fixed in its
position upon this continent il attracts the gaze
the admiration Of the world From it, as from central
light there goes forth daily influence of power and
formation To deprive it Of its isolation to disturb its
hxed position in order to carry its power and influence to
distant countries, would be wise put the
sun upon wheels for the benefit of benighted planet
to make the figure applicable to up glorious
umnary Of liberty into farthng candles and go about
the world to enghten spot-a Hungary or Cuba
oyershadowed by throne darkened by despotsm.
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 desptsm and her people be
prepared for selfgovenment light steady and fixed
will lead the regeneraed nations to liberty and indepen-
dence The proclamation Of neutrality of 1893 was not
as is sad intended by its author for mere temporary
measure 1t was with him time-serving policy. II
the declaration of great principle law for the
regulation of intercourse with other nations during
all time He cherished and obeyed this law during his
political life and when he retired from Office he impress
cd il with Immortality by giving it place in his Farewell
Address. will read what he says:
In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe nv pro-
camaon Of the 22d of April 1898, is the index my plan
Sanctioned by your approving voice. and by Of your
in both houses Congress the spirit of that
has continually governed me- uninuenced by any at
tempt to deter or divert me from it."
20
his country at his DEATH the great law of intervention
This law has faithfully been adhered by every succeed
ing Administration, and has called forth the
the wise and great Of other countries 1t was to this
policy that Sheridan referred when he said in the English
Parliament that the United States had rise by neutra
ty, above the nations Of Europe with simple dignity
that wins the respect the confidence and the affection
the world
Now, Mr. President let suppose that Washington had
adopted different course Of policy. What if he had
yielded to the popular excitement of the hour thrown
L, 10
go-into the vortex of European Intervention? The
temptation to such strong; and most men,
standing where Washington Stood would have fallen be-
fore its influence
of the most powerful monarches of Europe the head of
young and ardent republic to which he had given liberty
and independence the idol of the people, skful in
and wise in counsel the and character of Washing
would have given enthusiasm and strength to any
with which they might have been associated No
time could have been more suspicious for successful
contest of freedom against tyranny, of republcanism
against absolute power All the world seemed prepared
for the conflict United with former alley in the
struggle for liberty upon this continent there little
doubt but that the republics of France and America,
contcndng together for republican in Europe
would have marched to common triumph. Our
flag would have been waved with that of France the
subugated thrones of the Old World and Washington
hero of hundred battles fought for human liberty,
would have rvaed the military glory of Napoleon. But
like Napoleon, he would have sacrificed the independence
of his country in endeavoring give liberty
egn nations; and, like him too would by forsakng his
own to stand foreign ground, have found an exles
lonely grave far from his native land Thank God,
Washington had the moral courage to resist the tempta
ton Unmoved by the plausible and eloquent appeals of
nsidous foreigner pleading for the of European
liberty unnhuenced by domestic excitement, and
daunted by the threat of parties and the contrvances of
politicians, he stood firmly by his great principle of
traty mmoyeabe in his purpose the mighty continent
which that principle intended to protect Now be-
hold the result: "look here upon this picture on
ths:' upon the United States, resting in her glory and
in her proud freedom upon France, writing be-
meath the agonies of ceaseess revolutions submitting in
her extremity military dictation And by these
Piles learn oh my countrymen the virtue and the power
of neutrality and the weakness and wckedness of inter
yention The procamations of Napoleon in favor of
tional independence and human liberty which he fulm
mated from every battlefield, have persisted with his
power sustain them by while this simple procla
nation of Washington coming from the quiet shades
Mount Vernon will ever live in the peace and glory of this
country.
1t is said that this neutral policy was merely intend
ed for our youth when weak and feeble, and
unable contend with the world but that it is guide
Cor our full grown manhood"
Whatever may tho construction put upon this policy
by those who most wish to get rid of its influence Wash
ngton did not understand it. With him it was per-
principle of national action and who reads
his Farewell Address fail to perceive the deep anxiety
there expressed that his country might never in the
strength Of its manhood and in the pride Of coming
be tempted to disregard the teachings of its youth
and rsake the instructions of its father for the teach
ings of intriguing foreigner 1t is true that he
speaking to infant nation but the object of his teach
ing train up the child in the way it should 60
the full faith that when old it would depart from
That that nation who in the pride of manhood
negects the wholesome lessons received in youth will find
that physical power is miserable substitute for the
raj training of infancy.
But sir, American neutrality the affairs of Europe is
policy subject to such construction 1t is
wise in age it necessary in youth 1t is policy
attached to whole existence grew out of geo.
graphical position and is assimated with the spirit and
object of free institutions 1t is the instrument for
the protection of liberties at home and the of
extending them abroad
II was European Intervention that drove pilgrim
fathers from their native land They here escape
its Prosecuted by this intermedding spirit from
country country the Old World they sought and
neutrality in the New.
Intervention, civil and gious Intervention, moral
and physcal Intervention, social and national was the
Of European fe disturbing the peace of nations
interfering with the consciences Of men, and trampng
upon the nalcnable rights Of life, liberty and the pur
suit of happiness Relieved of these evils the colonies
rapidly advanced under the policy Of non-intervention
and when England afterwards undertook to intervene
upon their rights the aggression by declaration
of independence From that hour TO the present have
maintained that policy, not only in conduct towards
other nations, but also compelling them to respect it in
their dealings with ourselves
And when England prior to 1872 undertook to inter
49,