The southern press., 1852-04-08
speech Of lIon. william n. Seward,

On The proposed Protest Of the United States
against de Armed Intervention of Russia IN
the Hungarian Revolution, an The Senate q
the United States, March 9, 1862.
GcoNcLUDED.
admit that the policy of the proclamation
was continued throughout the whole war, until
its close in 1914. Yes, and | confess, moreover
that congratulations and protests ceased with
the last imposing ceremony have described
But the explanation of both of these facts is al
hand. The jealousy Of the belligerents did not
abate, and the parties changed objects and char.
acters When France was well nigh exhausted
by factions, the republic went down, and in its
place arose, Of course, dictator, and after.
wards an empire. She who had at first taken
arms in defence of national rights against in.
terna Intervention, afterwards carried war into
the bosoms of the intervening States who now
resisted their late enemy TO save Europe from
an armed military despotism. The United
States had no longer cause in Europe to con
graduate, to protect, or to defend.
But the American revolution broke out soon
in another region. AS early as 1910, the Span
ish provinces of South America declared their
independence, and resorted TO arms with bril-
liant success. The allied powers of Europe,
flushed with the recent triumphs over Napoleon,
frowned on the new western republic. The
United States held at first subdued tone, in
consequence of severe experience in their war
with England then just closed Nevertheless,
they regarded the controversy between the colo
MES and Spain, not as an ordinary insurrection,
but as a civil war between parties nearly equal ;
while the President, Monroe, asked Congress
for law to render the neutrality code more
stringent. The design was alleged to be to
prevent the departure of ships built at Bati-
more, for the new States. This policy was too
cold and prudent for the great popular leader
in that day in the House of Representatives,
Mr.. CLAY. He proclaimed that the President,
in his anxiety 10 stand erect leaned against
freedom; and, alluding to Spain and the holy
league as oppressors of South America, he
declared " he had no sympathy with ,tyrants."
The President dispatched commissioners to seek
information of the condition and prospects of
the insurgents, just as President Taylor re-
Gently did in behalf of Hungary, and with the
same object. But the great exponent of Am
erican republicanism was not satisfied, and he
thereupon moved in the House of Representa-
tives an appropriation for direct embassy to
the republic Of Rio de La Plata. In support
of that motion, he demanded, with noble, spirit
stirring vehemence !" Are we not bound upon
our own principles to acknowledge the new re-
public? If zoe do not, ,oho will? Are we to
expect that kings will set us the example of
acknowledging the only republic on earth ex-
cept our own?'
A year later, the President, Monroe, taking
holder ground, intimated to Congress and 10 the
world quite distinctly the interest with which
the United States regarded the consultations of
the holy league. After saying, in the courty
language of diplomacy, that they had under
taken to mediate between Spain and her colonies,
he expressed very confident belief that they
would confine their interposition to the express
sion of their sentiments, abstaining from force
What was this, sir, but an expression of sympa-
thy with the republics, and protest against
armed Intervention by the holy league of Eu-
rope?
One more year ripened these sentiments into
action. I" 1t is not in the power of a virtuous
people," said the President, ito behold conflict
so vitality important to their neighbors without
the sensibty and sympathy naturally belonging
TO such cause" And after announcing that he
had tried to engage the cooperation of other
powers. to influence Spain, he added, certainly
very much in the spirit of the present proceed.
ings, that, "should it become manifest to the
world that the efforts of the parent State to
subdue the colonies would be fruitIess, it might
be presumed that she would relinqush them"
The House of Representatives, either think
ing that the probable issue was already manifest,
Or unwilling to wait for the permission of other
powers, at once replied to the President, that
they were even then ready TO provide for diplo-
matte relations with the new republics and
they rendered to him their constitutional sup.
port Of a recognition Of them whenever he
should be pleased 10 grant IT, They marked
this decisive declaration by the unusual formality
Of sending n committee TO announce their de-
examinations 10 the President, at the head OF
which was justly placed the now distinguished
Senator from Kentucky, Mr.. CLAY.l A medal
commemorating the civic achievements of that
eminent leader has been recently struck. One
Of its inscriptions recites this great triumph in
behalf Of freedom in South America. Sir. i'm
my judgment, it was the noblest Of them all.
Long after the recognition Of the South Amer.
lean republics, the holy league continued TO
entertain the appeal Of Spain for their interven.
ton. But the spirit of the American people
would no longer brook such an unlawful act
10 1923, the President Monroe atoned for all
past hesitation by that decisive and memorable
protest, in which, after urging the iDapplcabilily
Of the principles before held by our govern.
ment on the subject Of Intervention 10 the case
Of the South American States, he avowed that
il " was due 10 candor and to the amicable reIa.
tons existing between the United States and
the allied powers of Europe to declare that we
should consider any attempt on their part TO
extend their system to any part of this hemis-
phere as dangerous TO our peace and safety.
And that, while we should still remain neutral
in the contest, our position would change If
their Intervention should renderi IL necessary"
The holy league, nevertheless, kept on
secretly consulting on mediation with the
sword for the good Of the people Of this con.
tinent, until John Quincy Adams, President, not
appreciating their benevolence, nor having the
fear Of force before his eyes, accepted for the
United States. with the support Of Congress,
an invitation 10 attend a meeting of the new
brotherhood of American republics, called TO
discuss measures for the common safety and
welfare. While explaining the reasons for that
measure, that incorruptible and indomitable
magistrate thus renewed the protest Of his pre-
decessor:
"To the question, Whether the Congress Of
Panama, and the principles which may be adj
justed by IT, may not give umbrage to the holy