The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-08

of Homer and Pericles and Alcibiades. Greece,
confined within her miniature islands and her
narrow peninsula, was to US a stranger, a shadow
of name, known To US only by her primitive
instructions in all philosophy, by her perfection
ia all ennobling arts. and by her nursing care of
our holy religion. But for all that we We're not
indifferent; and although despotic Europe offer
ed to league itself with superstiiious and despo-
tic Asia for her subjugation, we were encour-
aged by the humane sympathies OF the world,
and did not quite fear to speak out. IL IL I'M
possible" said President, Monroe, "to look to
the expressions of Greece without being deeply
affected A strong hope is entertained that that
people will secure their independent name and
their equal standing among the nations OF the
earth From the facts which have come to our
knowledge, there is good cause to believe that
the enemy has lost all dominion over them, and
that Greece will become an independent nation
That she may obtain that rank, is the object OF
our wishes" This expression Of sympathy for
Greece, and this protest against the cruelty ana
oppression of her tyrant, was reiterated every
year until, by the armed Intervention OF other
generous powers, their object, the emancipation
of that people, was obtained. Who can say
how much they did not contribute towards that
gratifying result!
Mr.. President just after the revolution OF
France in 1880, had the honor to visit Laiay-
cite in La Grange The porch of his chateau
was ornamented with two brass feld-peces,
captured from the army of Charles X by the
citizens OF Paris, and presented to It's noble pro-
prietor. The hall of entrance was decorated
with the mingled drapery Of the tri-colored flag
of his own country and the stars and stripes
of ours. And there he was in retirement, cheer.
full and hopeful, although Disguised by the
treachery of the Citizen King against the princi-
pies of the American revolution, to which he
owed his throne "Sir," said Lafayette, "Louis
Philippe will be king some seventeen or eigh-
teen years; but no son of his will ever sit on a
throne in France" That longest period had
not elapsed when the throne in the Tuileries
disappeared, and the false monarch was an ex-
lie in England We all recollect that the
American minister, without waiting for perma-
nent organization of the nation, or for nstruc-
tons from home or for intelligence of the dis
positions of the monarchs of Europe, FASTENED
to intervene and commit his country by saluting
the new republic. The President Polk acted
with equal promptness and decision.
"The world said he to Congress- has sell
dom witnessed scene more interesting and
sublime than the peaceful rising of the French
people, resolved to secure to themselves en-
larged liberty, and to assert, in the majesty of
their strength, the great TRUTH that in this en-
lightened age man is capable of governing him
self The prompt recognition Of her new gov
ernment by the representative of the United
States meets my full and unqualified appreciation
The policy Of the United States has ever been
that of intervention in the domestic affairs
of other countries-leaving each to establish
the form of government OF their own choice
While this wise policy will be maintained to-
wards France, now suddenly transformed from
monarchy into a republic, all our sympathies are
naturally enlisted on the side of great people,
who initiating our example, have resolved TO be
free. Our ardent and sincere congratu-
lations are extended to the patriotic people of
France, upon their noble and thus far successful
efforts to found for their future government
liberal institutions similar to our own"
Congress echoed these just sentiments, and
in the name and behalf of the American PEG.
pie, rendered their congratulations to the
people of France upon the success of their
recent efforts to consolidate the principles of
liberty in republican form of government"
Mr.. President spark from the flame, which
thus breaking out in Paris was regarded with 80
much pleasure here, kindIed the material which
had been long gathered and prepared by Louis
v.
Remote as we were, we watched and followed
the revolution in that ancient country with in
tense interest. We had an agent there ready
to tender our congratulations; but the cause
went down under the iron pressure of Russian
intervention. When we could do no more, we
sought the exiled chief in Turkey, procured his
release from duress and surveillance; and while
the Russian and Austrian monarch, with mena-
ces, demanded his surrender to them by the Otto.
man, brought him, with the ovation of a con.
queror, under protection of our flag, down the
Mediterranean, and home TO our own shores,
and received him with honors that have divided
the homage of mankind between ourselves and
him.
Sir, even while this slow and Ianguid debate
has been going on, we have interceded- Inform
ally, indeed, but nevertheless, we have inter
ceded-with Great Britain for clemency to i'm.
prisoned patriots who, under auspices hopeless,
but under the pressure of national evils quite
intoerable, had attempted to renew the Ameri.
can revolution in Ireland. And you and I, and
every senator here, whether he suppresses utter
ance as some may do or speak out as do, is
earnestly hoping that that act of intercesson
mayipreval with the amabe and virtuous mon
arch who yields benignant scep!re over those
realms
Here, sir, the history ends. | will add no
CLOSES to the recital will not attempt to
simplify the subject, involved as it is in the con-
fusion resulting from the want of definitions of
and from the neglect to discrimi-
nate between intervention in the domestic affairs
of nation and opposition against the fragrant
act of strong foreign power in attacking with. |
out just cause or motive weak but brave one
struggling with its proper enemy. shall not
ask the Senate or the country to distinguish
between intercession, solicitation, or protest, on
the one side, and armed intervention, entanglipe
alliances, and artificial ties, on the other | will
only say that either this protest is not an inter
venton, or we have done little else than to in
tervene in every contest for freedom and human.
ty throughout the world since we became a
nation. That if this act be wrong, we have
never done right. 1t we approve and own the
presidents of our predecessors, this act is one
which cannot be justly or wisely omitted The
question before us, then, is not whether we shall
depart from our traditional policy, but whether
we shall adhere to it,
lnasmuch as some will say that | have pre-
spnted in too stronU r,.liaf tho o,tion oc tLa