The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-19
For the Sotth.fn Press.
Relies Of scraps and Musings.
No 81.
GovERNoR cAss on MTERvENr1os.

GOVERNOR cAss on INTERVENTION.
The speech of this distinguished gentleman, in
the Senate of the United States, on the 10th OF
February, in favor of the United States protest,
ing against the Intervention of Russia in the at.
fairs of Hungary, does not strike one as very
able or conclusive. As usual with our great
statesmen, who, when arguments are wanting,
resort to presidents. Governor CAss sustains his
position principally by citing examples, and
quoting my Lord PALMERsroN. Is the course
Of the Senate of the United States to be con-
trolled or influenced by the conduct or opinions
of British secretary of foreign affairs, whose
policy has involved England in difficulties both
in Europe and America, and kept her without a
friend or ally among Christian nations?
| Next to the authority Of his lordship, the dis
tinguished Senator relies on the example of
foreign governments. France protested against
the invasion Of Holland by the Prussians- but
the Prnssians paid no attention to it, and COM
pleted their purpose. Lord CAsTLEREAGH, who
sold his Irish countrymen to England for a place
in the British cabinet, protested against the
final ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of the last remnant Of Po-
land-yet the felony was consummated. Eng
land protested against the Intervention Of Aus.
tria in the aNlirs of Naples-but Austria per-
severed. England and France protested against
the occupation Of Cracow-but in vain. None
of these protests were followed by war; and to
complete this array of presidents and authori
tho tnro hi r.. 7 II
PALmERsToE, who actually said in the British
House of Commons, II is one thing to express
an opinion, and another to adopt hostile pro.
ceedings to compel these three powers to undo
what they have done"
These opinions and precedents among foreign
nations and foreign statesmen, are deemed by
the Senator sufficient. authority to justify the
government of the United States in following
their example, in opposition to the uniform
policy of our most distinguished statesmen, from
WASHINGTON down to the present time The
Senator studiously abstans from pointing out
the circumstances which, in some measure, jus.
tilted these protests of England and France, and
which were totally different from those in which
a similar protest of the United States would be
founded. The different powers of Europe are
constituent parts Of one great system of nations,
and each one is equally interested in preserving
that balance of power, which is indispensable to
its independent existence. They are either con-
tiguous or neighboring nations; their interests
are either mutual, or antagonistical; and it
therefore often becomes justifable, if not abso-
lutely necessary, to interpose or protest against
any system or act of aggression, directly and
inevitably operating against their interests or
safety. The United States, on the contrary, are
neither parties to this European system, nor
have they the slightest ground of policy or in
terest TO interpose in these family quarrels.
The presidents cited by the Senator, do not, in
the remotest degree, apply to the case on which
they are brought to bear. And this may be APP
piled to all presidents drawn from European,
especially British, history; in fact, may say, all
history. There never was an instance of any
two nations being placed in precisely the same
predicament in all its circumstances, and conse-
quently the course pursued by one, is no rule
for the conduct Of another This is most espe.
cialy the case with the United States, whose
government, institutions, geographical position,
and, indeed, every other constituent Of identity,
renders them sui generis-an exception to all
former examples. Happy for them, could their
statesmen realize and act on this ption, in
stead Of borrowing their maxims and their
practice from British presidents and British
statesmen.
Among the few arguments adduced by the
Senator in aid of his precedents is that which is
derived from the fact that the different protests
cited by him, were not followed up by action,
and produced no actual or immediate hostilities.
lie infers from thence, that protest Of the
United States against the Intervention Of Rus.
STA, would not endanger the peace of the two
countries. But / would respectfully ask him,
If he does not apprehend that such measure
would most assuredy interrupttbe friendly re-
lations that have always subsisted between the
United States and Russia, and thus pave the
way TO future MISUNDERSTANDING, that in time
may produce actual hostilitiesl would also
ask him, what has been the result Of these
British protests, which he relies on with so much
confidence. Is not the present highly critical
position Of England, In great measure, owing
10 these protests--these Bruiiip fulnen these
explosions Of thunder without lghtningl While
making enemies Of the powers against which
they were directed, they, at the same time, dis.
tipctly indicated consciousness on the part Of
the protesting power, that II was not sufficiently
strong to enforce the principle asserted. A
government that often protests without success,
and without following il up by action, will, in the
end, fare like the Southern States, which pur.
sued a similar policy. Protesting is evidence Of
weakness, or want Of spirit
DISCIPLINE IN THE UsrrED STATES NAvr.-The
U. s. Senate, with view TO enforce discipline and
4 n n =. a