Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-16

Of his high Office In stating in his Inaugural Ad-
dress what he deemed "THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES
OF OUR GOVERNMENT, and which consequently
ought to shape its administration" beginning his
recital with the foreign branch of them he thus lays
down his rule of conduct +" Equal and exact jus
tsce TO all men, of whatever State on persuasion
religious rpo1iica peace, commerce, and honest
4 Friendship Nth all nations--ENTANaLISG ALI
ANcEs WITH NONE" Golden maxims, these
How simple, yet how just, and how truly adapted
to the genius of this Government
Coming down to the Presidency of Gen. JACKSON.
the progentor of the Democratic party as at present
organized, we shall find in his Inaugural Address
the same just conceptions Of his duty as superin-
tendent of the foreign relations of the United States
/" Wih .foreiya nations" said he, at ciR be my
sudyto Preserrc peace and cultipate friendship on
.fair and honorable terms and IN the adjustment
Of any differences that may erist or arise, 70 ear
hiba THE FoRBEARANcE BECOMING A POWERFUL
NATION, rather Than the sensibility belonging to a
gallant People"
The history of the last year Of the Administra-
ton of President JACKSON, moreover, affords ano-
ther striking illustration of the orthodoxy of that
distinguished citizen (and doubtless, of his official
advisers) upon the subject Of the obligations of
National Law in regard to our foreign relations in
the form of special Message from the President to
the Senate, December 21st, 1860 concerning
Resolution passed by that body on one of the last
evenings of the preceding session Of Congress favor
able to the acknowledgment of the Independence of
TEXAS To this resolution, the President, respond
ing that he had not considered the time yet to have
arrived for that acknowledgment, enters somewhat
at large into the particulars of the position of Texas
then engaged in war with Mexico. The entire
Message is 50 calm, dispassonate, and satesmanlike
a paper, that, if we had more room, we should be
disposed to insert it entire, many of our readers
having probably forgotten, as we confess we had
nearly done, the existence of such document We
must content ourselves with making only few ex-
tracts from this Message, pontedly opposite to the
wild and untenable notions which Democratic orators
old ones as well as young ones, laboring to diff
fuse relative to the rights and duties of this country
in its relation to the foreign world These extracts
are as follows:
All questions relative to the Governments of foreign
nations, whether Of the old the new world have been
treated by the United States questions of fact only
and predecessors have cautiously abstained from de-
Gliding upon them until the clearest evidence was in their
possession enable them only to decide correctly
but to shield their decisions from every unworthy mpu
tation. IN all the contests that haze arisen out Of the revol
lion Of France ont Of the disputes relating to the Croscns of
Portugal and Spain; om of the revolutionary moreents in
those kingdoms; ou Of The separation Of The american pos
sessions Of both from the European Governments and out Of
The numerous and constantly occurring struggles for dominion
IN Spanish America, CONSISTENT WITH OUR JUST
PRINCIPLES BEEN THE ACTION OF OUR GovERSMESr.
that we have, under the critical circumstances
avoided all censure and encountered no other evil than
that produced by transient estrangemen of good viii
in those against whom have BEEN by force of evidence
compelled to decide.
1t has thus been made known in the world TINT he
uniform policy and practice Of the United States is 10 aUoid
oil interference IN Disputes hic merely relate 10 the Internal
government Of other nations and erentaly recognise he
authority Of The prevailing party ,rhou reference 10 our par
cuar interests and viers, 10 he merits Of The original
controrersy"
Ii is scarcely to be imagined that question Of this
character could be presented in relation to which il would
be difficult for the United States to avoid exciting the
suspicion and jealousy Of other Powers and maintain
their established character for fair and impartial dealing
But this eUey trying occasion safety 10 Be found
IN RIGID ADHERENCE TO PRINCIPLE"
In the contest between Spain and her revolted colo
mics stood aloof and waited only until the ability
Of the States to protect themselves was fully estab
hshed but until the danger Of their being again subu-
gated had entirely passed away Then and not till then
were they recognised"
:" Neither of the conending parties Tin the Texas
struggled justly complain of this course BY pur-
suing it. but carrying out The iongestaJled policy
Of The Gopernment-d WHICH HAS SECURED TO Us
INFLUENCE AND INSPIRED CONFIDENCE
t HOME"
In the Administration succeeding that of Gen
JACKSON, the public records exhibit evidence that
on this head President VAN buren, was quite as
conversant with and sensible Of our obligations un.
der the Law Of Nations as was his llustrous pre-
decessor," in whose footsteps" he literally fol-
lowed, Gas in his Inaugural Address he said he
would, and even went a step beyond him. In that
same Inaugural he held in regard to our Foreign
Relations this language, which, in transferring it to
our columns respectfully dedicate to our friends
who are competing for the degree of Master in the
new-light class Of the Democracy
Our course of foreign policy has been so uniform and
ineligible said Mr. VAN BuRES as to constitute rule
OF executive conduct which leaves little to my discretion
unless indeed, willing run counter 10 the lights
Of ezpeence and the known opinions Of my constituents
We sedulousy cultivate the friendship Of all nations as
the condition most compatible with welfare and the
principles Of our Government We decline alliances as