The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-12

whole country forever, but also the world
MIR. Chairman, what is the good of being
powerful and free, of having strength and en-
ergy, and intellect, and liberty, Is it merely
that we may use them in selfdefence, or for
our self-aggrandizement! Is it that we may
increase our wealth extend our territory, and
promote our own prosperity merely! No sure
ly, not that alone. But more than all that, it
is for the means they afford us, the power of
acting upon Others for the control, the influ-
ence the irradiaton, the good we may there
by diffuse around us
And so will it yet be with our country. IL
is so now to great extent but it will be pre-
eminently so, and that in the not distant fl-
ture, when it will be her chief glory, not that
she stretches from sea to sea merely nor that
liberty and happiness dwell in all her fields,
amidst her people, but that as she sits thus
supreme between her two oceans, and looks
forth over the one unto the East and over the
other unto the West, she will everywhere meet
the gaze of the nations turned to her, and not
in vain, for an example, for sympathy, for aid,
and for protection
] wish, in this connection, to make some re-
marks upon the third resolution, or provision
of the platform recently adopted by the Wing
Convention at Baltimore. | regret exceedingly
that that resolution, in its present FORM was
ever adopted and Incorporated into platform
of the Wing party; not indeed so much for
what the resolution says for to every senti-
ment it contains can fully subscribe, but for
what it Omits to say, and because distrust
the object for which fear it was intended. and
to which it may, by many persons, be applied
The resolution reads as follows
- That u,hiIa %,
where, enlists the warmest sympathy of the
Wing party we still adhere to the doctrines of
the Father of his Country, as announced in his
Farewell Address, of keeping ourselves free
from all entangling alliances with foreign coun-
tries and OF never quitting our own. TO stand
upon foreign ground That our mission as a
Republic is not to propagate our opinions, or
impose on other countries our form of Govern
ment, by artitce or force, but to teach by ex-
ample and show by our success, moderation.
and Justice the blessings of sclfgovernment
and the advantages Of free institutions"
4 4
But is it the case that this resolution. although
1t does not say SO, was intended to be under
stood and regarded az ayowing the policy of
total inaction in respect to this question of in
tervcntion! That we, rs IA nation, were to have
nothing to do or to say, no matter how much
despotsm might trample upon the laws of ma
tons and outrage the rights and opinions of
mankind If So if such is to he its interpre-
taton, and the use to be made of it, | for one
can never consent to It,
In such case, however, the resolution should
have been expressed somewhat differently. 1t
should have been worded in language like this
ReSoired, That We rs nation desire no
voice, and will seek to exercise no influence, in
the common affairs of the world. That we
have no interest in or care for the law of ma
tons and that dcspotism may violate that law,
and trample upon the rights and liberties OF
mankind at its pleasure, provided it keeps away
from our shores and that we will make no Oh.
lection nor opposition to it, but will silently ac-
quesce in it all"
Such, sir, should have been the reading of
the resolution, If such is to be its meaning and
Interpretation. It would at all events in that
form, have met the question before the coun-
try. 1t would at least have had the merit OF
frankness and manlness. 1t would not have
been ambiguous nor eyasiye. 1t would not
have raised false and an unfair issue, nor
would it have dishonored the memory of Wash
ington by quoting and peryerting his language
to sentiments so ungenerous and unworthy Of
him.
But, sir, if such had been the resolution. or
if such is to be the Interpretation or the use
made Of the one now in the Wing platform it
is one to which never could or can consent
1t is plank, to whatever platform it may be
attached, upon which no foot of mine can ever
be placed unless it be to spurn and reject it.
1t will be noticed that this resolution is most
ly taken from the Presidents message, but that
it contains only a part of the sentiment of the
message The language in both is in great
part precisely the same, word for word. But
the message goes on and ayows plainly the
fact, the true and noble sentiment that we can
not, as a nation, be Indifferent to these cases of
outrage and wrong in which the strong arm
OF foreign power is invoked to stihe public
sentiment and repress the spirit Of freedom in
any country. Why was this part of the mes
sage left out of the resolution! Why omit the
noblest and best portion Of it!
Sir, that resolution should have incorporated
this sentiment OF the message. After avowing
as 1t now does, the policy of strict and just
neutrality between the nations, it should have
gone on and avowed Also as the President has
DONE the deep interest that we feel in the
spread of liberal principles, and the establish
ment of free Governments, and the sympathy
with which we witness every struggle against
oppression. Ii should also have proclaimed the
rightful supremacy of the law of nations, and
our determination to uphold and protect that
law in all legitimate and suitable ways. And
it should have declared that we, as a nation,
cannot be Indifferent to, and will not acquiesce
in, any act of any Government violating that
law but that we will at all times protest
against and resist every such violation in every
way in our power, consistent with the safety
and welfare of our own country
Such should have been the resolution that
should have been Incorporated into the Wing
platform, as | believe such is the true scnt-
ment and feeling of the Wing party. But was
MI this Intentionally omitted Did the Wing
Convention purposely depart from the Pres-
dents message in this respect, for the purpose
Of negativing and disavowlng the sentiment he
has thus expressed, and the policy to which
that sentiment will lean. trust not sir. Let
the Wing party beware how it is betrayed into
q position 80 narrow and so false.
Is it not enough that by one provision of this
platform we are made to surrender up the
country to the principle of slavery, without
also, by another, giving up the world to des-
pOtsm9
n r.
No, sir such is not the wish or intention OF
the Wing party or of the American people |
Such at least, ! know, is not the sentiment OF |
the people whom have the honor here to rep
resent or, if it be- greatly mistook them and |
they mstook me when they chose me to utter |
their voice on this floor The sons of those who |
poured in from their fields and hillsides, and |
gathered at Saratoga to win that glorious vic
tory for treedom-those sons when they shall |
come in from those same fields and hillsides to |
exercise the rights so CALAMITY won for them
by their fathers will not by their votes sanction
any policy, any sentiment so ignoble and I'M
worthy