The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-17

| That Is imperishable. 50 long as We 'e.a'nGyi1,
it, it will render our Government and our NJ
critics imperishable and when we forget IT, it VII
survive in the memory trust in God, Of some 9th er
people more worthy ofi, even II 1t be to shame this
degenerate Republic. Enthusiastic applause, ]
| That Farewell Address contains wisdom enough,
! if we but attend to it-contans lessons enough to
guide US in all our duties citizens, and in all
our public affairs. [Applause.l There are two
subjects which recent occurrences have turned our
| attention 10 with particular interest, and which
may be allowed this cccaeion to advert TO, In
spirit Of controversy or OF unkindIless toward any
one but in that spirit which induces to desire TO
every lesson of Washington daily, and constant
ly. and freshly, brought to the mind of every citizen
brought as their rst lessons. There ia too old
| to profit by them, and they cannot be learned too
early. You are familiar with that address, gentle
men, and will therefore only ask you to allow me
oallude to the two subjects upon which ne has been
peculiarly emphatic in his advice. The one ID to
preserve the Union of these States, loud cheers]-
that, he says, is the main pillar OF the edihce OF
our independence and our liberties; irown down
every attempt to bring it into question, much less
| to subvert it; when it is gone, all is gone Let
us heed this lesson, and be careful trust in
God we have no grounds to apprehend such a de-
| gree OF oppression will compel us to raise our
suicidal arms for the destruction OF this great
! Government, and of this Union which makes US
brethren. [Great applausc.l do not allow my
mind to look forward to such disaster. ! will
look upon this Union as indissouble, and as firmly
rooted as the noun ans of our native land. will
| hope so; will believe 60. ] will so act, and no.
| thing but necessity, invinciblc and overwhelH,-
ing, can drive me to disunion. This is the scnt-
| ment, as understand it, which Washington in
culcates. Thank God, we have every hope of the
restoration Of every kind feeling now, which made
Us in times past united band of brothers from
one end of this land to the other. Loud cheers.
/ But there external dangers also against
which Washington warns us; and that Is the se-
cond subject to which desire TO ask your at!en-
p,,,. e s.,tr
ercise of foreign influence among you loud
and prolonged cheering.l We Americans.
Washington has taught us, and we have learned
to govern ourselves. (Cheers.l If the rect of the
world have not yet learned that great lesson, how
shall they teach US? Shall they undertake to ex-
pound to US the Farewell Address of our Washing
ton, or TO influence to depart from the policy
recommended by him? [Great cheering.l We
are the teachers, and they have not or they will
not learn; and yet they come TO teach US. Here
the whole company and gave three tremen-
dous cheers Be jealous, he said, of all foreign
influence, and enter into entangling alliances with
none. Cherish no particular partiaity or preju-
dice for or against any people. tCheers.l Be just
to all-impartal to all. Ii is folly to expect dis
! interested iavors from any nation. tGreat cheer
ing That is not the relation character of ma
| toDs. Favor is basis too uncertain upon which
TO place any steadfast permanent relations.
Justice and the interests of the parties lie the only
sound and substantial basis Tor national relations
So said General Washington-so he teaches. He
asks: "Why quit our own TO stand on foreign
ground'' ICheers. Go not abroad TO minglc
yourselves In the quarrels wars OF other nations
Take care to do them wrong, but avoid the ro-
mantle notion OF righting the wrongs of all the
world, and resisting by arms the oppression of all
lGreat chcering.l
The sword and the bayonet have been useful in
defending the rights and Liberties of those who
used them but in what other hands have they
ever contributed TO promote the cause Of freedom
or of human rights? [Cheers.l The heart must
be prepared for liberty The understanding mus
know what 1t is. and how to value it, Then i
you put proper arms into the hands of the nation
so imbued. I'll warrant you they will obtain and
sustain their freedom. [Applause.l We hav,
given the world an example Of that success. Blu
three millions, scattered over vast territory
opposed to the most powerful enemy on earth
We went triumphantly through our Revolution
and established our liberties. [Cheers. But il i.
said that we have right 10 interfere in the af
fairs OF other nations and in the quarres Of other
nations Why, certainly we have; certainly We
have. Any man has the right, if he pleases, to
busy himself in the affairs and quarrels OF all his
neighbors; but he will not be likely to profit by IT,
and would be called a busybody for his pains.
Laughter and appsuse.l We, a nation, have
a right to decide-and it is always a question OF
expejency-whether we will or will not interfere
in the affairs Of other nations. There are cases
so connected with our own interests and with
the cause Of humanity, that interference would
be proper But stil II is a question Tor the sounc
discretion Of this people, question always o
eKpediency, whether you will will not inter
cre; and II is Just because IL is question of that
character, and because our passions and sympa'
| thics may often tempt TO upon it, thai
Washington has made IL the subject of this en-.
phatic sdmonition. Applause. II Is not bccaus,
we have not the right TO interfere, but il is bccaus,
we have the right, and because we are surrounded
by temptations-by the temptations OF gcnerou,
hearts and noble principles-to transcend the linn
is OF prudence and Of policy, and TO interfere Ia
the Affairs Of our neighbour, that be has admonish
ed us. Applause Washington, with that lore
caft and that prophetic spirit which constituted q
part Of his character, saw through all THE II,
knew the warm and generous natures Of his coun
trymcn. He knew their susceptibility, and h,
knew where the danger Of error wac; and IL u
there that bis wisdom hss erected, AZ far ne bi
advice can do II, bulwark for our protection
tAppause.l He tells you, "stand upon your owl
ground" tRcnewed applause That's the groun,
TO stand upon.
What you do by interfcrence2 Argument
unnecessary. The name Of Washington ought 4
be authorty-prUphetic, oracular authority-fOi
US. ls our mission in this world to interfere by
/ arms, IL is but little now, comparatively, Of goo,
that the bayOnct and the sword can do The
ploughshare does thousand times more thar
either. IGreat cheering The time wher
arms were powerful instruments Of oppression; but
they cannot do much now, unless they are aided
by the mercennry and degenerate spirit Of tho poo
pie over whom they are brandshed. What could
we do by armed interference in European politics
| How would our eagles pine aud die il carried
abroad, without the auspices Of Washing gton, and
against his advice TO engage in foreign wars OF in
tcrvcntion, in distant regions Of despotisn, where
| We could no longer feed them from the plentcoui
tables Of our liberty Enthusiastic appause.l w,
! can do nothing there. We can do nothing in thai
] way | am not one Of those who shrink from thi,
/ thing simply because blood is 20 be shed. ! have
/ seen war have voted for maintaining il. have
| contributed TO maintain it. pretend 10 no esqui.
cite scnsibity upon the subject Of shedding blood
| where our public interest or our public glory call
upon my fellow citizens 70 lay down their lives and
| shed their blood. TAppausel But do not wist
70 see them depart from those great and prin.
/ ciples OF policy which am certain will lead nay
country 70 a greatness which will give TO her word
| power beyond that Of armies in distant parts O
the world. tCheers
Our mission, so far as II concerns our distan
! brethren, is not mission Of arms. We are her,
to do what Washington advised US to do-tak,
care Of our Union, have a proper respect for IN,
| Constitution and laws Of our country, cultivat,
peace and commerce with all nations. do equa
justice 10 all nations, and thereby set an exanipl,
TO them, and show forth in ourselves the blessr I'd
of self government TO ell the world IAppause
| Thus, you will best convince mankind Seeina
you prosper, they will follow your example, anl
DO likewise. II is by that power Of opinion, 10y
that power OF reformation, that you can rcndcI
the tuichtlest and service that IL yOur