The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-24
speech OF Hon. Jeremiah Clemens, OF Ala.
ON NON-INTER VENTIoN,
In TIE SENATE, February II,

In THE SENATE, February IL, 1852.
| The Senate proceeded to consider the follow.
ing resolutions, which were submitted by Mr.
CLARKE on the 10Th ultimo:
| Resolued by The Senate and House # Represent
atues of The United States Of America in Con.
gress assembled, That Congress recognizes and
reaflirms these manifest truths: "rhat govern
ments are instituted among men to secure the
inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pur
suit of happiness, deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed; that when
ever any form of government becomes destruc
tive of these ends, it is the right of the people
to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new
government, laying its foundation upon such
principles and organizing it's powers in such
form as to them shall seem most likely to effect
their safety and happiness"
Resolved That while we claim for ourselves
these comprehensive rights of selfgovernment
and also, as a consequence of sovereignty, the
right to be exempt from the coercion, control, OF
inter ference of others in the management of our
internal affairs, we concede to others the same
measure Of right, the same unqualified indepen.
dence.
| Res0lped, That it is upon the sacred principle
Of independent sovereignty that we recognize
| in our intercourse with other nations, govern.
ments de facto, without inquiring by what means
they have been established or in what manner
they exercise their powers.
| RESOLVED, That this government has solemnly
adopted, and will perseveringly adhere to, as a
principle of international action, the advice
given by Washington in his Farewe ell Address
"Observe good faith and justice towards all
nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.
"Give to mankind the magnanimous and too
novel an example of people always guided by
an exalted justice and banevolence" ."Sympa-
thy for favorite nation betrays itself into
participation in the quarrels and wars of another
without adequate nducement or justification.
against the insidious wes of foreign influence
the jealousy of free people ought to be con
stantly awake; for foreign influence is tn,
most baneful foe Of republican governments
1.-The true rule of conduct for us in regard tt
foreign nations is, in extending our commercial
relations, to have with them rs little politca
connection as possible" "Why quit our owr
to stand upon foreign ground Why, by inter
weaving our destiny with that of any part o.
Europe, entangle our peace and Prosperity in the
tolls of. European ambition, rivalship, interest
humor, or caprice"
sympathy towards all who strive for freedom
recognize our true policy in the great fundamen-
tai principles given to us by Jefferson: "Equal
| and exact justice to all men, of whatever state
or persuasion, religious or political; peace, CON-
merce, and honest friendship with all nations,
entangling alliances with none"
Resolred, That although we adhere to these
essential principles of non-intervention as form
ing the true and lasting foundation of our pros.
md Of trI,n l.,
foresight shall warn us that our own liberties
and institutions are threatened, then Just re-.
gard to our own safety will require us to nd
vance to the conflict rather than await the ap.
proach of tho foes Of our constitutional freedom
and of human liberty
Mr. Stewards amendment proposes to strike
out all after the second resolution of MIR,
CLARKE, and insert:
Resolped, That while the United States, in
consideration of the exgences Of society, hab-
tually recognize governments de facio in other
States yet that they are nevertheless by no
means Indifferent when such government ia
established against the consent of any people
by usurpation or by armed Intervention of for
eign States or nations.
RESOLVED, That, considering that the people
of Hungary, in the exercise of the right secured
to them by the laws of nations, in a solemn
and legitimate manner asserted their national
independence, and established government by
their own voluntary act, and successfully main.
tanned it against all opposition by parties law.
fully interested in the question; and that the
Emperor of Russia, without just or lawful
right, invaded Hungary, and by fraud and armed
force, subvcrted the national independence and
political constitution thus established, and there.
by reduced that country to the condition of n
province ruled by foreign and absolute power
the United States, in defence of their own inter
ests and of the common interests of mankind
do solemnly protest against the conduct of Rus
STA on that occasion, as a wanton and tyrannical
nffaction of the laws of nations; and the
United States do further declare that they viii!
not hereafter be Indifferent to similar acts Of ma.
tional injustice, oppression, and usurpaton
whenever or wherever they may occur.
Mr.. CAsss amendment is designed ms a sub
stitnte for Mr.. CLARKs series. 1t is as follows
| Resolped by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatipes Of The United States of America IN
| Congress assembled, That while the people o,
the United States sympathze with all nations
who are striving TO establish free governments
yet they recognize the great principle of the law
| of nations which assures to each of them the
right to manage its own internal afflirs in its
own way, and to establish, alter, or abolish its
! government at pleasure, without the interior.
ence of any other power; and they have not
seen, nor could they again see, without deep con.
cern, the violation of this principle of national
independence.
MIR. CLEMENS said: Mr.. President, when
this question was last under consideration,
listened with deep attention to the remarks OF
the honorable Senator from Michigan, Mr..
CAss. In that speech-perhaps the ablest Of
his lfe-there is much TO which cannot sub
scribe; but there is also much TO which yield
cordial assent. ! had supposed that we diff
fered more widely than we do; and that suppo-
slton was source to me of profound regret