The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-12

found were it recessary-and now for authority:
Lord Palmerston, whose experience in diplomatic
questions will not be doubted, and who certainly
was jealous enough of the honor OF his country to
take care she should net be PLACED in false posi-
ton, said, in the debate in the British House Of
Commons. on the subject Of the invasion of Spain,
that the British government had protested against
it. :" But it is one thing" he continued, Ito
express an opinion, and another to adopt hostile
undo what they had done" Blu. according
to this new reading Of the duties OF nations,
when England declined to prevent by arms what
she could not prevent by protest. she was faithless
to her own self assumed obligations, and was dis.
honored 10 the eyes of the world. Whether this
claim of representation or remonsrance is derived
it sometimes ia. from special treaties, at other
times from general principles, its obligations and its
consequences are the same, and by what acts it
shall Be- followed, or whether by any, is simply a
question of expediency, involving no considerations
Of duty or Of honor "Manifestoss." says Bensham,
and such declarations are kind Of protest" are
in common sage. manifesto ia designed to be
read either by tho subjects of the State complained
Of, by other States, or by both II is IN appeal
to them; it calls for their opinion" Such is the
view Of man of vigorous intellect, though with
q quaint style, which marred his usefulness, and
who devoted long life to all the kindred pursuits
bearing upon general as well as upon municipal
law He says that these declarations are appeals
to opinion. A new school Of expounders has
arisen, which denounces them as appeals to force.
One Of the most eminent and enlightened political
writer's of Europe, Voa GEM, while deploring the
original partition Of Poland, and the absence of
any opposition to that Ubiquitous measure remarks:
"But that no public demonstration, no energetic
have followed, these manifest symptoms of general
relaxation and decay of strength, will not escape
the observation OF the future historian" We
cannot mistake the views of this statesman. After
regretting that neither France nor England inter.
posed eficaciousy to prevent this deed of shame,
he regrets that 40 marked testimony Of disappro-
baton was put upon record, to carry down con-
temporaneous condemnation of such fragrant out
rage to future times; and this is the universal udg-
msnt of the present day. Our own history presents
q memorable example of the exercise Of this right
to declare principle Of national law. MIR. Mon
roe's views on a similar question, soiemny an,
known part of our political history. He denied to
the European powers the right to intermeddle with
the new governments Of this hemisphere,
and also the right to establish =. new colonies
pledge his country to 90 to war to maintain this
position. He wisely said nothing upon that sub
ect, leaving to the future the duties it might bring
with it. His declaration is yet upon record neither
sion of the sentiments of the United States upon
this subject And though it has not been wholly
efcacous, it has no doubt contributed, with other
causes to the stability of the independence of the
American States, and to check the spirit of coloni
zaton. The conduct of France in the La Plata
certainly violated these principles, as the preten
sions Of England upon the Mosquito coast yet vi0-
late them; but there has been no war to assert
them. But it is easy to see, that with or without
such national declaration, our own interest would
dictate to u.s. to watch With jealousy European am
bilious designs upon the governments of the New
World, and to meet them with frmness. trust
that England will become sensible that she is
making dangerous experiment upon the inter-
course Of the two countries, and especially upon the
forbearance of ours, when she pursues measures
incompatible with her own conventional obliga-
NIT ha YrnnI pIn Ia n ~ u
Mr.. Monroe, to which she yielded her assent. If
the the maintenance Of national independence, on
this side of the Atlantic is dear to US, and che n-
terest we feel in it allows us to express our OPT
MON upon its jus. inviolability, see no reassn
which torbds as to extend the same views else
where, we have material interests as we'll as ma
tural sympathes connected with this Immunity OF
all nations and the course we shall adopt therefore
question of expediency and not Of principle. Cor
taiLly solemn public declarations of this nature
should not, would not indeed, often be made, for
their frequent occurrence would impair if not destroy
their moral effect. They should be reserved for
those extraordinary events affecting the honor and
stability Of all nations which stand prominently Tor
ward in the history of the world characteristics, 10
fact, of the age in which they occur. Let no man,
therefore, object that such conservative remedy,
Qor once the epithet is just one,) will lead 20
abuse, destroy itself by too frequent application
We ought neither to mistake ouc position. nor ne
glect the obligations it brings with it. We have
at length reached the condition Of one of the great
fancy of our career. The man yet lives VINO vas
living when a primitive forrest extended from the
Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains, trodden only
by the Indian, and by the animals-his co.tenauts
Of world Of vegetation, whom God had given 20
him for his support Then narrow strip upon the
sea coast thirteen remote and dependent colonies,
and less than three millions of people constituted
what is now this vast republic. stretching across
the continent, and extending almost from the nor
thern trepic to the Arctic circle. And tho man is
now living who will live to see one hundred and
fifty millions Of people free, prosperous, and ntei
gent swaying the destinies of this country and ex
erting mighty influence upon those of the world.
And why not, Mr.. President! Is it not likely to
be more bene6cialy exerted than the inf ence now
exercised by the despotic powers OF the earth NO
one can doubt this Why, sir, even Vattel, en-
tions is thelaw Of sovereigns |. is ia,paly for
them and for their ministers that it ought TO be
.ritten." The age has got far beyond this
degrading doctrine. Tha. law was made for
ard its obligation, and their violations
will be judged by this high tribunal, aad
its voice will become, from day to day, louder
and more eflica ,ious. Let US aid it OF the express
ing to all the members Of the great common wealth
OF nations. There are no considerations of RICH. or
of expediency to restrain US from such course;
for as have shown, we are just as free to act or
forbear, after such declaration, as before Bat
it has been asked, Why proclaim your opinion,
less you mean to maintain it by the strong hand
For the same reason that countless representations
and remonstraDces have been made by independent
powers, when they had reason to apprehend the
adoption of measures hostile to the just principles
Of national ntercom nunication - to mark their
disapprobaon of the &C. and Of the doctrine, that
their silence might not be construed into acqui.
escence, and that when, in the mutation of Political
affairs, the proper timo should come, they might
interpose effectuay, if they should desire it, not
concluded by the success of violence, nor by the
lapse Of time; that the power itself, contemplating
the step, might pause, and review its position and
its pretensions, and the consequences to which it
might be led, not knowing, of course, what mea.
sures might follow these appeals its OF right
should they fail to be efectual. And above all, that
the public opinion o. the world should be rightly
instructed and brought to aid 10 these peace
full efforts to preserve the rights Of mankind.
And let no man underrate the power of this mighty
engine for good It will go on, from conqnsring TO
conquer, till its influence is everywhere established
and recognized. Lord Palmerston, when interro-
gated upon this Hung arian question, in the House
of Copmons, and speaking upon this very point,
foreshadowed the objection. which meets in this
country-aye, and overwhelmed it-that there is
in these puhlic "A li0rs for thav ha