The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-28

mentous question Tor the people Oh TINS country 10 ue
eide and upon their decision depend the future pros
pery and glory OF our country shall, upon this occa
sion. endeayor TO sustain the non intervention pocy OF
Washington, in its letter and n lis spirit
In discussing the doctrine OF Intervention, intend on
this OCCASION 10 abstain from expressing any opinion
about the affairs OF Hungary or Of the domestic concerns
OF any other foreign nation hsner WIN en,s s no
OF Kossuih | propose 10 examine this subject solely
with reference lis bearings upon the interests and The
honor of my own country; believing that in our inter.
course with other nations but discharge the duty we
owe 10 our own country and to the world by conhnng
our foreign policy TO the defence and advancement oil the
peace the liberty, and the prosperity OF our own people
With these views shall proceed TO consider the sub
iect matter OF the resolutions under discussion
In treating this subject will show that Intervention
by nation to regulate the domestic affairs OF anqher
has long been the practice and the law OF the nations oil
the world that as such II has been the instrument by
which the strong governments regulated and Oppressed
the weak nations that in 1898 Washington discarded
the old law OF Intervention, and promulgated the new
law OF noninerventon for the regulation OF our inter,
course with foreign nations and theirs with US l VIII
then contrast the European law OF Intervention win Inc
American law OF non.intervenon, and show the ell
fects OF each system upon the cause OF human liberty
and upon the happiness and prosperity OF nations Inter
venton has been the instrument OF ambition and ~
ranny--the weapon by which the strong powers OF the
earth have destroyed the independence of the weak The
ancient nations are known to us more by their agges
sons upon other countries than by what they accom-
pshed for themselves and their renown IN history is
derived more from their OF Intervention and con-
quest than from the wisdom and virtue OF their domestic
policy The States OF Greece. when separate. inter-
vened with each other, and when united, the King OF
Macedonia interviewed TO divide them. Carthage inter
vened with Rome, and Rome with Carthage, until Rome
became the power upon earth and then she commenced
a system OF Intervention upon all surrounding nations,
and, after destroying their independence, interviewed win
herself by dividing her Empire into two paris thus her
self falling victim to that system OF aggression which
she had practsed upon others The modern nations OF
Europe formed of the wrecks of the Roman Empire,
parook of the same spirit OF Intervention The treaty
of Wes,phalia in l64S is the epoch from which COM
the history OF the modern science OF International
law This treaty terminated the long series OF wars grow
ing out OF the Reformation and although il did much for
the independence OF modern nations and for the clvZa
ton of Europe yet unfortunately for the peace OF the
world, il contained the obnoxious principle OF interyen
ton 1t secured to certain leading powers the right to
interfere with the internal affairs OF nations IN order 10
maintain the balance Of power.
The treaty of Utrecht, in l7l3 contained the same ag
gressive principle 1t again reenacted by the treaty
Of Paris in 1914, and was finally sanctfed by the Holy
Alliance at Vienna,
For two hundred years this intermeddlng spirit dis
form, il embraced alike by the friends of liberty and
OF despotism Republics and monarchies, Catholics and
Proestants have each in their turn marched under It's
bloody banner Intervention has been the evil genius OF
European peace 1t is the "red horse" which sent
forth upon the opening of the "second SEAL to whose
rider given power to take peace from the earth that
they should kill one another and there also given
unto him great sword" We can trace the horse and
its rider in his bloody tramp through thousand battle
Euxine to the Atlantic, over the smoking ruins OF towns
and cities, trampng beneath his iron hoofs kings, sub
jeCts, law, liberty, and religion.
Up TO the OF the French revolution Intervention
had been the peculiar instrument OF the absolute powers
Now it was that republcansm tried its hand at inter
vention France in the excitement of her fresh liberty
mounted the red sesd and, wrenchng the geat sword"
from the hand Of dsmounted royalty, commenced her
ride OF Intervention through the nations over the Alps
through Italy up The uS Sn the Rhine The
never stopping in her mad career until both the horse
and its rider persisted upon the field of Waterloo.
Then the absolute powers again took up The "great
sword y again the weaker nations OF Europe felt keen
edge in the dismemberment OF their territories. IL was
just the time when republican France was using the
weapon of intervention against the absolute powers and
in support OF free governments, procalmng to the world
that her object TO give liberty to oppressed subjects
and independence to roddendown nations, that Wash.
ngton appealed TO unite the infuence-mora and
physlcao republic with that OF France in the great
battle she was wagng for republican institutions on the
a o. 7aa M S s
OF neutrality This declaration OF neutrality was made
under most trying and peculiar circumstances;
"Eariy in April" says Marshall "the declaration Of war
made by France against Britain and Holland
the United States. This seemed full vi
vscity fame which Of ten years had been un-
which had taken deep during the OF the revolu
on appeared derive fresh vigor from recent events and
by great proportion OF the American people it was deem
ed almost criminal remain uncoucened spectators of n
conflict between their ancient enemy and republican
n e eli upon as was
few who did embrace these opinions-and they were
estaon and illuminated as tools OF Britain and the
satellites OF despotism"
When this storm OF public excitement first burst upon
the country Washington al Mount Vernon. There,
in the privacy of that consecrated spot without the
counsel OF his cabinet in the calm reflection OF his
great mind, guided by that unerrng judgment, and that
high and noble patriotism which had enabled him
many occasions TO check and resist the popular excite
ment OF the present in order te in the future pea
nent happiness and lasting glory 10 his countythen and
there IL that Washington conceived and maured that
new principle OF International law, since known
American neutrality American non-intervenon in the
affairs OF Europe On the 18th Of April 1893. he writes
from Mount Vernon to the Secretary OF State:
"War having actually commence ed between France and
Great Brain II behooves the of this country
thereof from embrong with either OF those powers by
endeavorng maintain strict neutrality. therefore
quire that you will give the subject mature consideration
that such measures shall be deemed most likely effect
have understood that already designated pri.
vateers, and preparing accordingly Such other
may be for us to pursue against
which may not be In power TO avoid control you
will also think OF, and lay them before arrival
in Philadelphia, for which place shall y
On the nth OF April the President returned to Phadel-
phia then the seat OF government and the 18th he add.
dressed circular letter the cabinet minister's enclosing
for their consideration well gesied series OF questions
the TO which would form complete system by
which 10 regulate the conduct OF the United States ia her
intercourse with foreign nations The result the eel.
ebTaed proclamation OF neutrality OF the cad April 1893
II was under circumstances like these, in opposition to
the popular sentiment at home, and in the face of all Eu-
rope IN arms that Washington proclaimed neutrality.
Then II was that he who had been first in war became
first in peace Then il was that be who by Just war had
achieved liberty for his country gave new law OF peace
TO the world Washington, whose blood had been heated
in patriotic battle whose ear had been nuick 10