The daily union., 1852-05-15

yond those which result rom and 10 regulate Our
commerce with them," &o
This is equally explicit II shows distinctly the only
object which In his judgment would justify political
connexon with foreign countries, VIZ connexion
growing out OF or serving TO regulate our commerce WIN
them In letter TO Thomas Pinekney, dated May 2s,
1897, he says
"a little time will show who are its [the counuy'sl true
friends, or, what Is synonymous who Amercans-
acts, repugnant rights and dgnity and advocating
all It's measures, or those whose only aim has been 70
maintain strict neutrality keep the United States out
peace"
The last letter TO which shall refer in this connexon
is one to General Lafayette, dated December 25, 1898 u
says
son tho politics of Europe shall express opinion.
make any inquiry who is right who is wrong, wish
and simple think every nation has rghtto establish
that form OF government under which II conceyes i may
geroast others and ought to inter
iee with the internal concerns OF another except Tor the
security OF what's due to themselves"
Here the principle for which have been contendng is
lad down distinctly. II is undoubtedly the true principle
and the only consistent with the equality and security
OF nations In the eye OF the public law regulating the IN
monarchies, aulocracies-a have the same rights What
Is jusiabe the part OF is equally Justable on the
part OF another Russia had therefore, the same right to
interfere in the quarrel between Austria and Hungary that
France had TO interfere between Great Britain and her
American colonies But the act OF interference on the
part OF these naonson the part neither OF Russia nor
both the advantage OF the interfering nation
that OF France to PROSTATE old rival that of Russia
70 check the progress Of free institutions threatening ,he
contiguous despotsms-of which she was one-wh
DANGER With the justice or propriety OF the interference
Of Russia have nothing to saynothing at least in de-
fence OF H. But repeat in the language OF Washing
letter to Lafayette that nation ought to interfere
with the internal concerns OF anoher except Tor the
security due 10 itself
This policy, Mr. Presdent--the policy of non-i inter-
erence-was naugurated with the government, and has
ever since been acted upon by in its intercourse with
other nations. Under il the United States have grown up
and prosered in all the elements Of wealth and power
with rapdity unexamplcd by that OF any other nation IN
any other age. In population, in commerce, IN the de-
yelopment OF our industrial resources in territorial
grandeur, in benehcent civilization, what nation has
ever advanced in ratio al all comparable to this!
know that the distinguished senator from Louisiana, and
other advocates of the policy think that too much
OF the credit of our unparalleled progress is attributed to
the pacific preceps for the regulation OF our intercourse
with foreign natons laid down in the Farewell Address,
and summed up in the resolutions of the senator from
Rhode Island, Mr.. CLARKE This much, however,
none OF them can justly controvertha whatever the in
uence OF that policy may have been on the country il is
under that it has attained its present exalted position
amongst the powers OF the earth Is il wise, then, let me
ask to change policy under which such results have been
produced! Before changing il should not be satisfied
that the which to be substituted for tits not only
wise, safe and benecent it, but that promises even
greater and nobler esults That which exists the policy
Of Washington consecraed in the minds and hearts OF
the people, only by the blessings which have walked
hand in hand with it, but by the recolecons which cus-
gated in the first instance by the Father OF his Couny
that il received the sanction of his compatTiosmen like
himse fresh from the fiery ordeal OF the revolution,
whom dear bought experience made wise and sacrifices
purified from the dross of sclhshnessare why it
should not be repudaied lightly. But not only was il
first promulgated BY Washington not only did il receive
the same school with himsef-t has received likewise
the sanction of the other great leading minds OF the
public from their day to ours need not refer TO the
names OF those who have acted upon H. who have ex.
pressed Of ii their approval, They have been collected
and exhibited the Senate and the country by the
tor from Rhode Island the author OF the resolutions now
under consideration Why then, when this policy comes
sanctioned by such names, and by such glorious ~
SUITS should think of changing il for that is
tried-one which fear would be mlschsyous TO our,
selves without conferrng benefits mankind anywhere
In answer TO all this ii is said that the condition OF the
country now, with population OF twenty. four millions,
and power and resources increased in still greater ratio.
is very different from what il was at the period OF the
promu gaion of this policy, when its population scarce
exceeded three millions and its debt approached hun
dred millions, We are told, too. that Washington him
self declared that there rank due TO the United
States among the nations oil the earth which would be
withheld II not entirely lost by The reputation OF weak
ness" This, SIR, IS true But what is TO be inferred
from it That the character of the nation for strength
10 be maintained by protests threats No, but by
being always ready to uphold our own just rghsby
sening aggressions against our national dignity the per-
and property of citizens leave TO the Senate
and country to say whether, il should protest against
the intervention OF nation in the aHars OF another,
proposed and protest should be dsregarded with
out resenting il by force. IL we should not be
likely to acquire the reputation OF weakness than by
pursuing the old unoblrusive but dignhed policy of Ia
king OF honor and interests Ii is not by
buster and bravado that nations acquire the reputation
OF power and strength is by their pIomptness 10 vim
dcae their ghts-by standing up 10 whatever they have
pledged themselyesby asserting no right which they do
not intend 10 enforce at every hazard.
But If we begin to proes, intervene, where we
to s,op Is Hungary the only nation which has enlisted
our sympaihies Is Russia the only enemy OF liberty
Has Italy no claims Ireland wrongs Has Poland
never struggled with the oppressori Shall we have
nothing TO say 10 Austria for irampng upon Italy, the
land OF genius and classic renown To England for her
OF iyran,s who have dsmembered Poland II we begin
must 20 until the wrongs OF entire humanity
righed But will we not hesitate Shall not stop
and consider the consequences 10 ourselves Our mis-
sion, the mission OF our country, is peaceful Our
duty to other nations is 10 enghien them by our exam
ple--io exhibit 10 them progress in the arts Of
peace civilization, and the blessings which are shed
upon all by republican institutions. Hitherto
ps shining upon other lands has been genial and be-
nefcen one, enghiening their people and pointing out
to them the way OF true progress-an example very d
fereni from that which would CLEAN from the bayonets
OF an invading army, be flashed from the muzzles
OF hostile cannonl Whilst our course continues to be
in its results the development o all that makes
ton great, powerful and happyno internal feuds
just foreign wars will commend itself 10 the respect
of the wise and good OF all nations But. If abandoning
this course, we should assume the attitude OF interna-
tona censorship, or the right OF interfering to prevent
nation from pursuing towards another such
of policy its interest may dictate. at become
involved in controversies dangerous to peace and de-
s,ructive c the influence OF example upon other
ons. II we protest against the course which nation
design pursue towards another, and protest
should be disregarded, we must enforce IT. cost what 1t