The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-23

al auFaHtdSe puICHdseu oy uuplicity Critics
| with it equivocal renown. Wherein consists
| the difference between free and despotic rule,
| if not in the right which in one case the peo-
pie have 10 know how their Government act.
and the power they enjoy, to reward OF punish
according to desserts? The right and the
power are enjoyed under the constitutional
monarchy of England will the citizens Of
Republic be satisfied with less?
Again: it cannot properly be said that "the
dignity, the rights, and the interests of other
nations" are "most injuriously affected" by
the Cuban or the Haytien publication. The
Cuban correspondence compromises none but a
former Secretary of State of this Republic, and
those who were associated with him in his at
tempt to purchase the island. Upon them it
brings discredit; but does that constitute a valid
reason for keeping the country in ignorance of
transaction involving $lOO.OOO.OO0? We
think not; and. if not, who else can complaint
Not the Secretaries of State who preceded Mr.
BUCHANAN, for their dispatches are in the
main unexceptionable. Not the Minister of
the Queen of Spain, for neither trickery
nor treason can be traced to him. We
cannot see, then, who is prejudiced un-
less it be the deceased soldier of England
who condescended to tell tale to crafty his
| pique against a political rival, So in regard
to the Hayden correspondence: Sir H. Bull
wER's letter of instruction to the British con-
| sui sets forth nothing of which his govern,
ment would be ashamed; and to the affair
generally, as it reflects on this country, none
but sympathetic freesoilers and abolitionists
| can object. The Union conceded on Friday
last that the Haytien negotiation was one ''for
which the Administration deserves credit"
and the published correspondence bears out the
admission The effort was humane in its be-
ginning and its aim, and straightforward IN all
its means. That the same cannot be said in
regard to the process employed by Mr..
BUCHANAN, is misfortune not attributable to
a Wing Executive.
| Mr.. BUCHANAN, in this particular, has not
Jared worse than Lord PALMERsroN, whose
confidential correspondence with the British
Minister at Paris in relation to the coup d'etat
of, LOUIS NAPOLEON was presented by the
British government to Parliament and pub
lished That, according to the Union, must
have been most improper proceeding on the
part Of monarchical government, for it dis
played double dealing and something worse in
the course of the Minister then at the head of
its Foreign Affairs. But the Parliament Of
England thought that they had right to know
how the responsible officer Of the crown had
acted in delicate matter then past, and the
government complied with their call for infor
nation. to the great modification of their dex-
ferrous coadjutor If, then, the Union desire to
model American diplomacy on the European
basis, we submit that this case Of Lord PAL
MERsToN is case in point; ''precedent'-~
| if our contemporary must have precedents-in
justification of MIR. FILLMORE, and a solace. 1t
may be, to Mr.. PoLK's Secretary of State. who
is at all events not solitary in his martyrdom.
| We are curious to know how the Democracy
will relish the remark of the Union that ''the
talk about simplicity and frankness in the con-
due, of republican government is mere seni
| ment." ".Merc sentiment" that is all! A
fancy to be talked about, but altogether worth
less in actual life!
"lfa republican governments to maintain and
1
sit must avail itself of the means of aggrandlze
ment employed by other governments" In
another paragraph of the article quoted, we are
yet further enlightened as to ''the means" in
question. They embrace "intrgues," "persua-
| sions,' "menaces," "artifces," and we know
| not what beside; all, however, particularized
by the Union as part and parcel of "our diplo
| hat 70 &c -,
cratic hands. At the risk of being accused of
"sentimen,ality, we demur to the doctrine
that intrgues and articles are to be engrafted
| upon republican diplomacy, that it may more
effectually cope with other powers. Our peo-
| pie generally have chung to the belief that
plain sailing integrity and straightforward in
| tercourse best befit popular governments and
that what cannot be accomplished with these
means may be proftably left unachieved
| They will think so still. we opine, notwth-
standing the Machiavelian policy pursued by
Mr.. BUCHANAN, and the adroit though some
what astonishing justification advanced in his
| behalf by our metropolitan contemporary.
| 1t is generally understood that Congress will
| grant no outfits to any foreign mission which may
become vacant during the balance Of Mr. Fill
| more's Administration, considering that all such
| appointments should be made by the next admin
| istration. OF course outfits will be voted for all
the mission, at the close of the session. az to en-
| able General Pierce to send new men abroad For
the same reason a difficulty will be experienced in
passing any bill, such as the French spoliation,
| which wall create a board of commissioners The
majority in Congress have no intention of giving
tho present Administration sny additional pa
! tronage.
The above. which we take from the tele-
graphic correspondence of the New York He
raid, agrees substantially with statement fur
nished by the Washington correspondent Of
the Philadelphia North american.
! We have no means of ascer,aining the ex-
act truth of the understanding" indicated;
but if it be in any degree founded in fact, we
are at loss to know on what principle of
honor or honesty it can be sustained. In the