New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-11


rouDclng wha, Its coequals believe 10 be dan
ftrous innovation IN the principles Of the public
law. ana support ITS declaration by its acts or en-
csaTor BY the acts themselves 10 give authority 70
is own assumptions, rs the world look on, nfig-
penly but silently, until precedent usurp the place
OF lncple, AID acquitscence Is appealed TO IN sup
pori OF the new pretenson There Is not a civilized
nation on the face OF the earth which has no. time
and again. given its opinion upon questions OF public
law, IN some form more or less imposing In CORES
pcIcence, IN pfotocols-in oeclarstions-In manfes-
oes-in piotests-and in whatever mole national re-
presentations are made and received why, sir, LORD
Palnerston directing the foreign affairs OF England,
ufon this very subject, said 81 DO not think the
preservation OF peace Is IN any degree endangered
by The expressions Of opinion IN regard 10 the
IL nsacnons IN Hungary, or in other countries"
lie rs. Of course, aIludmg 10 the proposition then
before the House Of Commons 20 call for the papers
81 relation to the Russian Intervention. with
view of the judgment OF the House. But here
we are told, touch not, taste not, handle not, or
great will re the Danger thereof Sometimes the
interest involved IN questions like this is imme-
cisie and Important-sometmes It IS remote and un-
important but IN he practical relations Of indeDen
eDt powers, great questions may arse, walch may
eventually affect the whole cOmmonw ealth OF ma
tons. Every power must Judge for itself, how far
It's own interests may be touched by the Preten
Sons advanced, and what course true policy re-
qures 1t should take II is not necessary that the
eyii Gay should be upon X before II makes known
ITS osappiobatiOn, for In that case aggresSlOns
would be eternal, or war the only remedy 10 resist
them. The annunciatIon Of the objects OF the
Quintuple Treaty awakened the livelest so'ici,ude
OF the American people and their determination
10 resist 1t to the last extremity was made known,
though they had then sustained injury as the trea
~ had rot been ratified and this very demonstra
tion prevented its ratification, and saved them from
periIous contest. No man ever condemned the
Executive for laying down In an authoritative man.
ner our views Of the laws Of nations upon the SUD-
lects embraced In that treaty, and denouncing pre-
tensions, equally dangerous 10 rights and honor.
1t may be .aid indeed that the danger We hal TO
appTehtBd from such an Interpolation into the true
code of public law was Imminent, and justified
prompt and energetic measures IL was so,
and We were, therefore, prepared 20 tase far
more decided steps, than would be expedient
IN less pressing exlgency. But the princi-
pie remains the same. We proclaimed
opinion upon great question OF public law because
Wetension had been advanced Incompatible with
this independence of nations and In which all were
interested. And are not all interested IN the great
reht of sefcontgol, in the right OF establishing.
maintaining, and changing then governments at
pleasure, without the interference OF any other
earthly power 1t is not probable that the Rus
sian Emperor, even III his widest dreams Of I'M
licensed power and ambition, ever contemplated
sending his Cossacks to pu. down free institutions
among us, though he put them down In Hungary,
for Hungary was within his reach and within MS
power. But We have drect interest, material
interest, II you cleca,m every principle OF action
but the unitarian principle, the benefits Of CON-
mercia intercourse, in the prosperity and stability,
ard independence ofnations, by whom the resources
and commerce Of countries are increased and IN the
maintenance Of the great principles which protect
these rights But agree with one OF the most in-
dependent Of the public men OF England, Mr.. Roe
buck, that higher CONSIDERATIONS may justly IN.
fueRce our actions, and that We should not bind
UP all our feelings In the interchange OF commo-
dilies or the sordld question OF profit or loss He
believed there was something more IN the souls OF
the peopls than that" And the sentiment, ad-
ysnced by Lord Palmerst0n, that great country
should not be passive and mute spectator OF
everything that gees on arounc," deserves our
ctumeIdaiiOn and concurrence There IS not
n nj dtulNmatIe bIcfOVu m W
may lot be read the outlines | have already
reiened 10 of national conduct. But a strange
enor seems TO prevail respecting one branch
OF thiS subject which It is necessary 10 examine not
rem the support II derives from authority,
but from the confidence with which II is urged and
be cause, If not corrected, 1t may parayze the nation
al action in el tine to come Before, however.
ADVERT TO 1t, may be permitted to say thas tue dis
cusslcLs which have taken place. here and else
where through the county. manifest avery unrea-
soHatle jealousy Of the good faith and so lad dscTe
ton Of the American people. suppose a man could
barely be found ia this broad lanc however sensitive
be may be on the subject OF our foreign policy VINO
fears The wrath the power OF the Russian OF the
Austrian Emperor should We assert great fact, now
psssto INTO history that the rights and Independence
OF nations have be Ell fagrany violated In the case OF
gary, and should We declare the principle Of pub.
lie law hich ought to have protected that unfotu
nate county. Well. then. If we fear such danger
sbIoad, where is the danger we do fear IL is AT
b me, SH. We Cannot shut our eyes to that truth.
certainty, that the apprehension felt and wed
directed lot TO Others but to ourselves One would
really suppose there imminent danger If this
clam 10 assert equal night to adjust questions
OF the law OF nations rs once established, that this
great Republic would ceal with war as child deals
with p'aythipg, and that 1t would rush into
it with blind haste, restrained by no con-
sideTatiOns of duty or expectancy Let this ap-
prehenslon be dismissed This is one OF the last
dangers we have to tear The honor and welfare
OF the country safe III the custody OF the people,
ard need not hesitate to assert our just nights,
lest the people should betTay thor own trust AL
most seventy years have passed away siuce The
az acknowledgement of cur Independence, and IN that
time We have had but two wars deserving the name
OF such. Where is there another nation, great or
small who say the same for its own nDderation'
so much for the effect OF salutary public opinion
upon the policy OF country. But, To return 10 the
error eous doctrine which has been so wisely and so
&C fcerty spread, and which seeks TO deter us from
expressing any opinion upon the law OF nations, oy
ah apprehension of the consequences, and by which
II Is III all ianec. that IN ali cases where nation
makes such declaration, 1t Is bound to support Its
views by war, II these ale not acquiesced IN, or IL
viii lose lis sefrespect, and subject itself 10
he contumey Of the world. There Is not the least
found on in reason or authority or precedent, or
such an assumption. l! Is as era'uitous
IS it is unteIable Ana yet this position
End of the country TO the other, as though II were
wrilton upon every pase OF every treatise on the
law ci nations, and many man, who Goes not couot
our right TO express AT opinion upon questions OF
rhiic aw as these arise IN the world FOR coDsIler-
suop coubis the expediency OF exercising IT, lest
We should be cTlven TO wax TO support u ar: RE
sicent. | have already said that the particular
,o,m in which q nation MAKES known IT'S views,
fr,m the most common diplomatic note to the
most solemn protest, LeiIher ADDS to nor taxes
from its responsibility or obligation Il appears
,o he assumed that there IS solne peculiar pusna-
cious quality attached To a profess winch neces-
sly LEADS 10 armed action. TINS is not So.
rrblic ceclaraiion IN that form no more imposes
IN ,be nation making II the duty OF yndlc :'ins II
hy arms than the every day REPRESENTATIONS
- INCH tie usual diplomatic Intercourse renders
.c,.s.ry To be sure, the proceeding Is more soem as
e., ubecs gene all more grave andit goes forth 10
under CT OF drlibeIa ion, WI en- gl'e
r. such dtcaratitns more than usual imDntancs Bus
a. tbev are necessarily followed BY war. ~hsnever theT
a.. m The Iesut Is rstcied by all the cplomdc ei
rsrieUce # modern tunes very fe" relefeAtes WI.
;, ar, tLs subject beyond dispute Before auseIt 70
hen however let remark, that mad parl oi nv
~ n M of estsb shin that dec ara ION upon cues
r1nubIc sw IL iesit ate mode OF na9nsi acton an
ana en- 90, Of hauds By he RESOLUTION Oi
,te Senator from Rhode Island (slr ark wnca pIac
% IA admits his ign. by the very enIbc&hoh Oi uaHy
~ :, -. -. -. ~ na.Inu. And allow furtler