The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-24

fear from battles upon the ocean, between ma
tional vessels, just as little. The danger is q
another kind There Is not 4 sea which ar
American vessel is not this moment traversing
There is not cline unknown TO our commerce
4 Whenever war is declared, the lust of gair
and the love of adventure will cover the ocear
with priyateers, and the rich fruits,gathered by
the arts of peace will bs sacrificed to the demon
of folly. The spndles of the New England
manufacturer will stand still the door of the
New York merchant will BIZ closed the plough.
share of the Northwestern farmer will rust in
the furrow and the noise of the cotton.gn will
no longer be heard. Not pound of bacon nor
barrel Of flour, not sack of corn nor a bag oil
cotton, not nogshead of tobacco nor fierce
of rice, can leave our ports without danger OF
capture The hardy mariner, who pursues his
perilous calling in the northern seas, may find
himself captive, and the fruits of long years OF
toll swept away before he is aware that he has
an enemy to avoid. Tho life-blood will stag.
nate in every vein OF our commerce; and every
interest will wither under its blighting in
fluence. Is this picture too highly colored
Grant that it is so. Grant that but one tenth
part of what is here depicted will come to pass,
and the eye of the patriot will still turn with a
shudder from the dark prospect on which it
rests. But is it in truth overdrawn? There are
senators here who remember the war of 1912,
its trials and it's sufferngs; and all of US have
learned from history or tradition that these suf-
ferings were sufficient to cast a veil even over
: the deformties of treason, and to cause the for
nation of aprty whose object was to make a
separate peace with the common enemy, and
leave the rest Of the republic to take care of it,
self Can it be doubted that with greatly ex-
TENDED commerce these evils will be proportion.
aiaIv md tl.t
be aggravated by the reflection that they were
brought upon US against reason and without ne
cessityf II may be said, sir, that an argument
of this so. extends to all wars as well as to the
particular case under consideration. Undoubt.
eddy to. some extenlit does a. No war can be
carried on without detrimentfto the prosperity
or the morality of the people; but there may be
cases which Justify, thete may be wrongs which
demand, the sacrifice !; and whenever such case
arises, shall not be the last to draw tle sword
am afraid, Mr.. President, that after the able
and judcious remarks of the Senator from
Rhode Island, Mr.. CLARKE, | shall but tax the
patience Of the Senate by referring to the opin
ions Of former Presidents; but If it should be
somewhat tedious to this body, twill not be unin.
structive to the country. There has been no disa-
greement of opinion among them, no matter to
what section Of the Union they belonged, no
matter to what party they owed their elevation
to power; all of them have urged non-interfer-
ence with the affairs of other nations, as the
dictate alike of interest and of duty All Of Them
with singular unanmty, have maintained and
enforced the precepts of the Father of his coun-
try am aware that it is becoming somewhat
questionable to argue from the usuages and
experience of the past. Ii has been again and
again announced that rules which were well
Yh f,rt ,e tofo inf. -.
are yalueless now that change Of circum.
stances necessarily induces change of pol icy,
and that what was wisdom yesterday, may be
folly morrow. Much of this may be true
do not mean that we should blindly follow any
policy without reference to circumstances. do
not mean TO say that, because the Spartans
lived on black broth, and used nothing but iron
money, therefore we ought TO follow their ex.
ample but what do mean TO say is, that there
are certain great truths which no time can
change, no circumstances affect, and chief among
these reckon the duty of every nation to pro.
vide for the substantial happiness Of its o0n
citizens. No matter whether in infancy, maturity
or decline, this is policy no nation can neglect
with safety--no people can disregard without
suffering.
II was on this principle that Washington
acted. propose to read, sir, few short para.
graphs from his Farewell Address
The great rule Of conduct for US, in regard
10 foreign nations, is, in extending our CON-
mercal relations, 10 have with them as little 20.
litica connexion rs possible. So far a. we
have already formed engagements, let them be
fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us
stop.
Europe has set Of primary interests
which 10 Us have none, or very remote rela-
az L l..
controversies, the causes Of which are essentially
foreign 10 our concerns. Hence, therefore, Il
must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by
artificial ties In the ordinary yicisstudes of her
politics, or the ordinary combinations and col.
Iisions Of her friendship or enmities.
sour detached and distant situation invites
and enables us 10 pursue different course. II
We remain one people, under an efficient govern.
ment, the period is not far off when we may
defy material injury from external annoyance;
when we may take such an attitude as will cause
the neutrality we may ut any time resolve upon,
TO be scrupulnusly respected; when belligerent
nations, under the impossibity of making ac
QUESTIONS upon us, will not lightly hazard the
giving us provocation; when we may choose
peace Of war, as our interest, guided by justice,
shall counsel.
"Why forgo the advantages Of so peculiar a
situation! Why quit our own TO stand upon
foreign ground Why, by Intervening our
destiny with that OF any part OF Europe, entan.
gle our peace and prosperity 10 the tolls Of Eu-
roPean ambition, riyalship, interest, humor, or
caprice
Now, Mr. President, the authority Of the hon.
orable Senator from Michigan TO the contrary,
notwithstanding, must say that IL Is not in doc.
ument thus carefully prepared soemnly an.
nouneing opinions so maturely formed, that we
are 10 look for advice intended TO guide us for a
season only. Every word Of that address was
intended to have its weight so long as the repub-
lie should endure. Guided by wisdom but
little short Of inspiration, he foresaw the posi-
biIity Of case such as that which has now
arisen, and affectionately warned us TO beware
Of dangers which might prove fatal to the repub.
lie. trust, sir, that there is yet among the peo-
| pie too much respect for the memory Of George
Washington, too much gratitude for bis services,
| 10 permit his counsels to be dsregarded. trust
we are not yet prepared 10 exchange the calm
/ and raj riofio advica nj tho eauac;ans