The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-28
Ftom tie Nei1 York Times, January IT.

fortnight-Ed. Times.
TO the Editor Of the NsD York Daily Times
The grounds lately assumed by the distln-
guished exile from his country have made the
question of Intervention no longer theoretical
but a practical question, and the popular inter
est he excites among all classes, and the obvi-
Gus desire that some parties have manifested to
use the movement for personal and political
purposes, have invested it with an Importance
not inferior to any connected with public at
fairs We have arrived at point in our his |
tory when it becomes us to review our position
rs nation. Any false step, proceeding either
from timidity or inconsderate zeal, may entail
upon the country and the cause 1t represents
the most disastrous consequences. what is
the true question before the country, and what
is its duty to itself and the world in this politI
cal crisis now impending2 Some light may be
thrown upon the subject by short review OF
the circumstances that have led us to our pre-
sent position.
When the United States assumed their sta
ton among the nations OF the earth. novel
principle was put forth as the justification OF
that step, which, although it had often before
served ~ a motive for the indication of popular
rights was then. for the first time advanced as the
foundation of a government The Declaration OF
Inde pend ence proclaiming that the American PEG.
ole held the doctrine that all born free and
equal, and endowed by their Creator with an in
aenabe right to life, liberty, and the pursuit OF
happiness, was pregnant with the most important
consequences.
Nothing could be more repugnant to the prin-
ciples upon which the political institutions OF
Europe were founded. All hereditary right, all
Divine authority In kings. were inconsistent with
that doctrine II breathcd eternal hostility to the
principles upon which thrones and institutions re-
pugnant to the welfare Of the people were founded
In setting forth these general maxims, the
American people advanced them merely as Justi-
hcation of the course they adopted In establishing
their own Government. They did not undertake
to force other nations to adopt their principles or
TO establish institutions like theirs They led the
way and left other people free to follow them or not
az their inclinations prompted.
Their example, however, has not been barren OF
results. Shortly after the United States adopted
the Federal Constitution, the European contest be-
tween the two parties commenced in the opening OF
the French revolution. The excesscs of the chief
actors in that movement, and the military desPot-
ism Of Napoleon growing out OF those excuses,
paye advantages 10 the enemies Of freedom, and
upon the deposition of Napoleon the Bourbon fami.
ly was restored and the allied monarchs proceeded
to set forth certain principles which we're hence
forth TO form part Of the public law OF Europe
After some preliminary professions OF their reii-
gious intentions and their ardent zeal for the wei
fare of mankind and the advancement OF Christi
anty, this Holy Alliance proceeded to declare In the
avbach circular that "every political change which
does not solely cmanae from the free wlil-the re-
hecting and enlightened impulse OF those whom
God has rendered responsible for pewer-lcads to
disorders more insupportable than those which 1t
oretends to cure;" and "that they will regard as
null and contrary 10 the law OF nations all pretend
ed refor m effected by revolt and open force" This
declaration, together with q communication mace
to the British and French governments OF their IN
tention to put down such movements by mediation
or force induced the British Secretary of Foreign
Affairs (Lord Caslcrcagb) to protest against any
A. t.a,. hn yCl nj
Vienna and Paris and to state in his letter OF jan
nary 49, 1921 that "the British government: regard
all interference with the internal concerns OF Tor
eeu government exception 10 principles oil
great ue and importance, and never to be 50 lar
reduced to rule TO be incorporated In the law oil
nations"
Notwithstanding this protest on the part OF Eng
sand the allied soveregns proceed to put down the
revolutionary movements in Naples and Piedmont
by the help Of an Austrian army, and the forces oil
France marched over the Pyrenecs to suppress the
constitutional government OF spain ms cam,
on the part of the Holy Alliance to supervise and
control the political movements OF other countries
was of character TO attract the attention OF other
Governments, and II became the topic OF CORE
betw cen the Ca bnets Of w ashington and
st. James. This resulted in . determination on
the part Of 10th governments to cypress their views
rs TO this new principle OF armed intervention 10
regulate the politics Affairs OF other Countries As
President Monroe led The way in his message OF
1929 when he referred TO this novel pretenson,
and declared that any attempt to interfere on the
part OF the allied powers with the recently -estab.
lished States of Spanish america, would be deemed
an unfrisndiy act towards the United Statcs
This declaration was alluded to IN the Brtish
Parliament, as in full accordance with the views OF
that government; and afterwards, when upon the
restoration Of Ferdinand, movements were made
evincing an ntcntns Of extending the conserva-
tive euardianrhit The alliance over Portugal. the
british RovcrnuieD avowed it's determination 10
maintain the indevndence OF ts ancient ally. Mr..
Gaming in his speech on that question: said "that
Inform ation of this movement was communicated
TO the government on Friday night. On Saturday
the cabinet came to n decision. On Monday it
communicated TO Parliament and on Tues
day. when am now speaking, the army is on it's
wav to Portugal" This announcement was re.
ceived with cheers in the Housc Of Commons, and
Portugal was left undisturbed
AT that lime, then, il ould secm that the Govern
ments of the United States and OF England came to
a determination to openly express their dissent
from the principles OF armed Intervention as assert
ed by the allied rlonarchs. and their readiness to
oppose il whenever Il came in conflict with their
peculiar interests. They did not Get themselves up
as the guardians Of tho liberties Of the world; but,
having declared that this asmed intervention OF the
allies with the domestic concerns OF other powers
not in accordance with national law, they
avowed that they would not acqtiesce IN u when
IL applied TO States in wbose welfare they
were interested, either by contiguity or ancient
treaties.
This avo~al, on the part Of these great maritime
powerp, sufficcd at that time TO check the further
actions OF IfOiy IheF lheCiNlJt
however, somew hat owing to the political quiet
which prevailed for several years in Europe.
The political Commissions which grow ont of the
barncades OF Paris, and which pervaded Italy aud
Germany. has again brought the allied armies
into the field. enforce the doctrines Of the Lay
bach circular. and the advocates Of free insutu-
lions again brought into collision with the
combined dcspotic monarchs OF Northern Europe.
The Government of the United States has avow
ed its opinion this subject in the annual nes-
sage OF President Fillmore. IL has declared that
IL cannot bc indifferent to such violation OF the
rights OF other nations; and this point there
un ,nimous sentiment OF approval OF the views OF
tho Executive throughout the country. This dc
Iaralion cannot, without detracting from it's force
aud dignity be made stronger, and. ia the shape OF
. declaration, il is as far as the eloquent Hunga-
,isn desire. To go farther, and couple il with
threat, either with or without the concurrence OF
England. would lower its tone. and Lessen it's effect.
What more, then, is required Shall treaty be
cnado with England binding the parties to resist
such intervention Ifso to what countsies ia II to
be made applicable Ia our guardinnship to be con
fined to Hungary, or ia 1T to comprehend not only
Europe. but Asia and Aricn5 Are VIC, among
he'll her thp