Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-04-05

] tn6H oPthtoHS upon grave questions OF pup
lie law, when that low has been violated,
has been SO often and so openly exercised
that no doubt can exist Of The right, and in,
deed Of theduty, of thus acting, when the
nature and tha.grayi!y ofthe circums.anc-
es require such . f6easure. These decIar-
atoms Of interest and opinion are more or
less formal and in A9aiag, depending on
the magnitude OF the occurrence, and the
consequences involved in il. They mos,
frequently relate 10 the subjects directly
interesting TO the parties, and arising out
/ Of their ntercoirmunicaiien with eoch
other; but often 10 questions affecting ma
tions generally. and where. the principles
and the facts bear directly or in their con.
sequences upon the welfare Of the political
world. Of the former il is moi necessary
to speak, ns they are of dsily occurrence
in our own history, and in that of every
other power. But the right to take part 10
the latter has been SO strangely brought
into question during recent discussions in
this country, that it may be well so look
to the law and to the testimony
| II is the interest Of each nation that the
rights Of oil should be respected, because
the spectator OF injustice Of to-day may be
| its victim to>morrow; and none fthe bar
riers against ambition and tyranny can be
broken down without danger TO the evils
ized world. This danger may be greater
or less; nearer or more remote, depending
on The circumstances Of the parties, bat ex-
isis for all, and all are therefore concerned
in checking or ayeriing it. + one nation
issue manifesto, announcing what its CO.
equals believe TO be dangerous innova.
.ion in the principles of public law, and
support its declaration by its acts, or en-
deavor by the acts themselves to give au.
thority TO its own assumptions, isthe world
10 look Oh, indignantly but silently, until
precedent usurp the place Of principle, and
acquiescence 10 appealed to in support Of
the new pretensions? -
There is not civilized nation on the
face Of the earth which has not, time and
again, given its opinions upon questions Of
public law, in some form more OF less ion.
posing-in correspondence, in protests,
| and in whatever mode national representa-.
tions are made and received. Why, sir,
Lord Palmers,on, directing the foreign af>
fairs of England upon this very subject,
said: 81 do mol think that the preservation
OF peace is IN any way endangered by the
expressions Of option ir regard TO the
transactions in Hungary or in other ccun.
tries" He s.of course alluding TO the
proposition then before the House OF Com.
mons. 70 call for the papers 10 relation 10
the Russian intervention with view 10
the judgment ofthe House. But here we
are told touch not, taste not, handle not !;
great will be the danger thereof. Some.
times the interests involved in questions
like this is immediate and important, some
times it is remote and unimpor,ant; but. in
the practical relations Of independent Pow
ers, grea. questions may arise which may
eventually affect the whole commonwealth
of nations. Every Power must judge for
itself how far its own interests may be
touched by the prelentions advanced. and
what course true policy requires it should
take. Il is not necessary that The evil day
should be upon It before it makes known
its disappfobation; for in that case aggres>
sions would be eternal, or. war the only
remedy to resist them. The annunciatien
Of the objects OF the quintuple treaty awak.
ened the liyeliesl soiicitude of the Ameri.
can people, and their determination to re-.
sist 10 the last extremity was made known,
though they had then sustained no injlry,
as the treaty had not been ratified; and this
very demonstration prevented its ratiica-
tion and saved them from n perilous con-
lest. N o man ever CONDEMNED The Exec
utive for laying down. nan authoritative
manner, our views Of the laws of nations
upon the subjects embraced in that treaty,
and denouncing pretentions equally danger.
Gus to our rights and our honor. 1T may
be said, indeed, that the danger We had TO
apprehend from such an interpolation into
the true codes of public law WINS imminent,
and justified promp. and energetic meas>
ures. 1t was so; and we we're therefore
prepared to take far more decided steps
than would be expedient in a less pressing
exigency. But the principle remains the
same. We proclaimed ous opinion upon
great question Of public law, because
prelension had been advanced incompatible
with the Independence of nations, and in
which all were interested. And are not
all interested in the great right Of self.con-
ing, and changing their Government at
pleasure, without the interference of any
other earthly Powerl Il is not probable
lha. the Russian Emperor. even in his wild
est dreams ofunlicensed pawer and ambi.
ton, ever contemplated sending his Cos
sacks to put down free institution among
Us; though he put them down in Hungary,
FOR Hungary was within his reach and
within his power. Bot we have direct
interest, a malerla, interest, if you disclaim
every princip!s of action but the uilli,arian
principle, in the benefits of commercial in
tercourse, and IN the prosperity and slabil>
ity and independence Of nations, by which.
the resources and commerce of a, country
are increased, and in the main,ainanee Of
those grea, principles which protect these
rights. -
S Bu.l ogree with one of the most iode'
penden. of the public men Of England, Mr..
Roebuck. that higher considerations may
Justly influence our actions, and that tive