Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-24
Mr.. wEBsTER's VIEWS ON INTERVENTION

We think it will be admitted that we do not mis-
this great statesman's views when we say
that his lucid patriotic, and truly American speech
on the Greek question embodies the following prin-
ciples and policy, from which Mr.. WEBSTER empha7
cally says he has not departed and cannot depart!
First, the asserted right of forcible intervention n
the affairs of other nations is in violation of public
law that, however, there is an exception to this in
the case of vicinage, and In some extreme cases..
when such interference may be justified upon prins
ciples Of necessity or sefdefence with these excep-
tions, the doctrine asserted by the " Holy Alliance"
threatened by Russia in the case of Greece and car
ried into practice in the Of Hungary, is abhor
rent and is in direct opposition to the principles on
which our institutions are founded e
What follows? I" Are we to 90 to war? Are
zoe 10 interfere in the Greek cause or any other Eu-
ropeon cause? Are we to endanger eur pacific re-
lations p asks Mr.. Webster. And what is his an
swer? 'sNo; CERTAINLY NOT" Can any thing be
more explicit? Could any answer have been given
more emphaticay at variance with the counsels of M.
Kossuth, who says that going to war in European
cause would be no great mischief after all, and
who admits that if his counsel is followed, and Rus
sa should disregard our protest, should be lite
rally obliged to go to war; or else be degraded be-
fore mankind" And is NJ Kossuth better ex-
ponent of American policy, more trustworthy
guardian Of American interests than Daniel Webster,
and the many wise and patriotic men who have ever
taught us the same sentiments? n
Again and again does Mr.. WEBSTER guard his
countrymen on this point. "The just policy of this
country is, in the first place, peaceful policy"
/" To the extent which may consist with our own
settled pacific policy, our opinions and sentiments
may be brought to act" &c. Abhorring, then, this
doctrine of forcble Intervention in the affairs 0
other nations and declining therefore any such for
chile intervention by our own Government, what
remains for US to do? We must proclaim our de-
testaton of it J" we must secure our own happiness
by the preservation of our own principles those
principles we must have the manliness to express
and the spirit to detend:" !" the opposite sentiment
we must deny and condemn; = by our intelligence
and vgor" we must keep alive and sustain the hopes
of the friends of human liberty; we must never
" give our consent that republican principles shall
be brought into disrepute and disgrace J" we must
"let mankind know that we are not tired of our
own institutions, and protest" &c. But then may
we do no more2 May we 60 to war? "No GER
tainly not" May are interfere in any European
cause No; certainly not" Are we to endanger
our pacific relations? "No; certainly not" So
said Mr.. WEBSTER in 1923.
So says he now for only last week. to Kossuth S
face, he declared that he could not retract single
sentiment which he then expressed" Then Mr..
Webster and NJ. Kossuth are at direct issue on this
point of American interference in European affairs.
Neo York Commercial Adpertiser.