The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-12-14

of Congress to the condition of that de-
partmcnt of the Government to which
this branch of tn. public business is
entrusted. Our Intercourse with for.
cign powers has of late years greatly
increased, both 1l consequence of our
own growth and the introduction of
many new Statcsinto the family of ma
tions. In this way the Department of
State has become ovcrburdcncd. 1t
has, by the recent establishment of the
Department of The Interior, been re-
licvcd of some portion of the domestic
business. 1.-THE residue of the business
of that kind, such rs the distribution of
Congressional documents, the keeping,
publishing and distribution of the laws
of the United States, the execution of
the copyright law, the subject of re-
prcves and pardons, and some other
subjects relating to inferior adminstra-
ton, should be transferred from the
Department Of State, it would un-
questionably be for the benefit of pub
lie service. ] would also suggest that
the building appropriated to the State
Department is not fire proof; that there
is reason to think there are defects in
its construction, and that the achivcs
of the Government in charge of the
Department, with the precious collcc-
tions Of the manuscript papers of
ashington, Jefferson, Hamilton,
Madison, and Monroe, are exposed to
destruction by fire. A similar remark
may be made of the buildings appro-
pratcd to the War and Navy Depart
mcnts.
1t has been the uniform policy Of
this government from its foundation
to the present day, to abstain from all
interference in the domestic affairs of
other nations. The consequence has
been that while the nations of Europe
have been engaged in dcsoIating wars,
our country has pursued its peaceful
course to uncXamplcd prosperity and
happiness. The wars in which we
have been compelled to engage, in de-
fence of tho rights and honor of the
country, have been fortunately OF short
duration. During the terrific contest
of nation against nation, which sue
cccdcd the French revolution. VIC
were enabled by the wisdom and firm
ness of President Washington to
maintain our neutrality. While 9TH
cr nations were drawn into this wide
sweeping whirlpool, we sat quiet and
unmovcd upon our Own shores.
While the flower Of their numerous
armies was wasted by disease or per-
i>hcd by hundreds of thousands upon
the battlefield, the youth of this favor
cd land were permitted to enjoy the
blessings of peace beneath the pattern
nj ro,f While the States of Europe
incurred enormous debts, under the
burden of which their subjects still
groan, and which must absorb no small
part of the product of the honest indus
try of those countries for generations
to come, the United States have once
been enabled to exhibit the proud
spectacle ufistf uf. II nation free from public
debt: and if permitted to pursue our
prosperous way for few years longer
in peace, we may do the same again.
But it is now said by some that this
policy must be changed. Europe is
no longer separated from us by Il voy-
age of months, but steam navigation
has brought her within few days sail
of our shores. We see more of her
movements end take deeper inlcrcs,
! to her controversies.
Although no one proposes that we
should join the fraternity of potcntatcs
who have for ages lavishcd the blood
and treasure OF their subjects in main
tanning the balance of power yet it is
said that we ought to interfere between
contcndng sovereigns and their sub
ylccts for the purpose of overlhrowimg
the monarch;es of Europe and cstab-
fishing in their place republican inSti-
tntions. 1t is alleged that We have
heretofore pursued different course
| from sense of our weakness, hlt that
now our conscious strength dictates a
change Of policy, and that it is consc-
| qncntly our duty TO minglc in these
contests and aid those who are strug-
Cling for liberty.
| This is almost seductive but danger
GUS appeal to the generous sympathicS
of trecmen. Enjoying as We do the
blessings Of 4 free government, there
is no man who has an American heart
that would not rejoice to sec these
blessings extended to all other nations.
! We cannot witness the struggle be.
tween the oppressed and his oppressor
anywhere without the deepest sympa-
thy for the former. and the most anx-
ious desire for his triumph. Never
thclcss, is it prudent or is it wise to in
! volvt ourselves in these foreign wars
Is it indeed true that we have hereto
fore rctraincd from doing so merely
from the degrading motive OF con-
scinus weakness!
e'or the honor Of the patriots who
have gone before us, cannot admit it.
| Men OF the Revolution who drew the
sword against the expressions of the
mother country, and pledged to llcav-
en- their lives, their fortunes, and their
sacred honor to maintain their free
| dom, could never have been actuatcd