The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-15

1t has been the uniform policy Of this
Government from its foundation to the
present day, to abstain from all interfcr-
cncc in the domestic affairs of other ma
tons. The consequence has been that
while the nations of Europe have been
engaged in dcsolatiug wars, our country
has pursued its peaceful course to uncx-
ampled prosperity and happiness. The
wars in which we have been compelled to
engage, in defence of the rights and hon
or of the country, have been fortunately
of short duration. During the terrific
contest of nation against nation, which
succocded5the French revolution, we were
enabled by the wisdom and fimncss Of
President Washington TO maintain our
neutrality. While other 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 persisted
10y hundreds OF thousands upon the battle
field, the youth of this favored land were
permitted to enjoy the blessings of peace
beneath the paternal room. While the
States of Europe incurred enormous debts,
under the burden Of which thcirsubiccts
still groan, and which must absorb no
small part of the product of the honest in
dUstry Of those countries for generations
to come, the United States have once been
enabled to exhibit the proud spectacle of
nation free from public debt; and, il per
mltted to pursue our prosperous way for n
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 n voyage of
months, but steam navigation has brought
her within 4 few days sail of our shores.
We see more of her movements, and take
a deeper interest in her controversies.
Although no one proposes that we should
JOIN that fraternity Of potcntatcs who have
for ages laviShcd the blood and treasure
of their subjects in maintaining "the bal,
ancc of power" yet it is said that we
ought to interfere between contcndinr
sovercigus and their subjects, for the pur-
pose Of ovcrthrowing the monarchics of
Europe and establishing in their place re-
publican institutions. 1t is alleged that
we have heretofore pursued different
course from sense Of our weakness. but
that now our conscious strength dictates
change ofpolicy, and that it j. consequent
" our duty to minglc in these contests
and aid those who are struggling for liLer-
ty.
This is Il most seductive Lut dangerous
appca! to the generous sympathics o! free
men. Enjoying as We do the blessings of
Il free government, there is no man who
has IN American heart that would not
rcjoice to see these blessings extended to
all other nations. Wccannot witness the
struggle between the oppressed and his
opprcSsor any where without the deepest
for the former. and the most
anxious desire for his triumph. Ncvcrthc-
less, Is II prud lent or is it wise to involve
ourselves i'll these foreign wars! IS II Ir-
decd true that we havchcrctoCorc rcfraincd
from doing so merely from the degrading
motive Of II conscious weakness?
For the honor of the patriots who have
gone before lis, | cannot admit it. Men of
the Revolution who drew the sword against
the expressions of the mother country. |
and pledged 10 Heaven their lives, their !
fortunes, and their sacred honor" to main |
tam their freedom, could never have been
'ctuatcd 10y so unworthy motive. They
knew no weakness or fear where Fighter
luty pointed the way, and it is a libel up.
On their fair fame for us, while we enjoy
.hc blessings for which they so nobv
fought and blcd, to insinuatc it.
The truth is that the course which they
pursued was dictated by stern sense Of
International justice, by statcsmanlike
prudence and a far-seeing wisdom, looking
not merely to the present necessities, but
% tie permanent safety and interest Of
he country. They knew that the world
S governed less by sympathy than by rea-
son and force; that it was not possible for
his nation to become ''propagandist" of
'rce principles without arraying against it
the combined powers of Europe; and that
the result was more likely to be the over
throw tf republican liberty here than its
there.
History has been written in vain for
those who can doubt this. France had
no sooner established republican form of
government than she manifested n desire
to force its blessing on all the world. Her
own historian informs us that, hearing Of
some party acts of twenty in neigh6or-
ing principalty.g The National COnven-
ton declared that she would afford succor
and fraternity to all nations who wished
to recover their liberty: and she pave il in
charge to the executive power to give or
ders to the generals of the French armies
70 aid all citizens who might have been or
should be oppressed in the cause of liber-
ty."
Here was the false step which led to
her subsequent misfortunes. She soon
found herself involved in war with all the
rest Of Europe. In less than ten years
her government was changed from re.
public TO an empire; and finally after
shedding rivers of blood, foreign powers