The southern press., 1852-01-07
nsnt.ry rule, in the forms, that the tisalsy Of

mentary rule, in the former that the firalsy Of
the two nations first exhibited itself in all its
bitterness. If We require more examples to
prove that neither the maxims of government
nor the prejudices and antipathies of nations
are modified by their civil institutions, so tar as
relates to their foreign policy, let the republics
of France and Mexico be- cited into court, to
answer for themselves A king of France be-
came the ally of the United States in their
struggles for freedom, and the President of the
French republic has lately associated himself
with England in policy hostile to this republic
Both were alike governed by a regard TO their
own interests. The King of france aimed not
at upholdng the principles Of freedom, but at
crippling the power of rival and enemy. Tne
President Of France is, on the contrary, evidently
sollcitous for the support, or at least acquies
cence, of England in his schemes to perpetuate
his authority, and that the republic over which
he presides has always pursued course of pol.
icy to say the least, unfriendly to the United
States
With regard to our sister re, nblic" of Mex
leo, what have been her past relations with the
United States! From the first moment Of her
independent existence, and long before the an.
nexation Of Texas she adopted course OF
policy often unjust and always unfriendIy. The
first minister, or at least one of the first minis
ters, of the United States, only escaped being
massacred by his gallantry and presence of mind
Her commercial regulations have always been
more or less injurious to the United States; and
at this moment it is perfectly notorious that the
mbecile or unprincipled rulers of Mexico are
the affect slaves of the policy of England
succession of ambitious pigmies, without either
talent or influence to sustain their authority,
they have endeavored to bolster themselves mp
by becoming the tools of foreign powers, and
sacrificing the honor and interests Of their coun-
try to maintain their own. The period is pro
badly at hand when the United States may be
called on, in selfdefence, to decide whether they
will consent to see Mexico become the passive
tool Of British policy, always hostile to them, or
act on the just principle that next door nation,
which will not consent to be friendly, must be
subdued or Incorporated
The truth, ~ everywhere exemplifei in his
tory, is, that States, when well governed, are
not directed by sentiment but interest They
have nothing to do with universal philanthropy !;
and whether monarchies or republics, the first
duty Of every government is to protect the
rights, the interests, and the lives of the peo.
pie over whom il presides. This common
obligation is the foundation Of international
law. To the rest of mankind it owes no.
thing but simple justice; and when it metes
out this to them, it has fulfilled all its obliga-
tions. If then We may draw any conclusions
from that code Of morals, called the law of ma
ture, or from the practice of nature, ancient as
well as modern, Pagan AS well as Christian, the
of republics in Europe would in
volve not the slightest change in the future rela
tons of the new and the old world. Their in
terests would remain the same, and their policy
the same. Why then should the United States,
minge in the approaching conflict in Europe,
should it take place Are they bound by any
practical, moral or religious obligations to be-
come parties in the struggles every nation of
Europe, and for aught | see, of every other
quarter of the globe for freedom, as they will
be, should they adopt the general declaration
against interventon which is eq lally applicable
to them all The disciples of universal phan-
thropy will say that this view Of the subject is
based on narrow, selfish principle. But surely
that cannot be called sefishness which has for
it's object the interests an happiness Of twenty
millions of our living countrymen, and coun
less millions yet unborn. If this is selfishness,
then what is patriotism For my part, am per-
fectly willing to incur the imputatioH, for woe
to that nation which acts on the principle that
its highest duty is to sacrifice itself for the ben
eft of any other portion, or all the rest of man
kind, unless all others net on the same sublime
maxim a NORTHERN MAN, AND
A FRIEND TO THE UNIoN
(To be Confinued)