Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-02-12
MIR. Cass ON Interventicn.

The speech Of Hon. Lewis Cass in the Senate of
the United States, in support of his substitute for
the Intervention Resolves Of Mr.. Clarke of R. l., is
a sound and Satesman.like defense OF the doctrine
that it is the right and duty Of the United States Of
America, to exert what moral power they possess as
nation, in favor Of the oppressed and down.trod-
den people Of the earth, by formal declaration of
the great principle Of international law, that ma
ton has right to interfere in the domestic or gov.
ernmenta affairs Of another.
Upon this question Of Intervention, we had ex-
pecled to find the Senator from Michigan as bei-
cose the furious fire eater who has applaud
ed the stirring eloquence of the great Hungarian
Chieflain, and we agreably disappointed and
surprised at the pacific tone which pervades the
whole. The speech is most triumphant vindica-
ton Of our right and duty a nation, TO lift our
voice in condemnation of Russian interference with
the affairs of Hungary, and is most fitting rebuke
to that timid pusilanimous spirit which is SO mani
fest at Washington, and which seeks to restrain the
government and the people from expressing their
just and calmly considered convictions, through lear
Of the Russian Autocrat.
In this last effort, Mr. Cass seems 10 have hearti.
" embraced the doctrine that there is something up
on which nations may rely in just cause, more po-
tent than Publications and ornaments, bayonets and
soldiers, and he argues in support of it with dstin-
guished ability and power. Tho speech is entirely
free from that bullying gasconade which distinguish
ed his speeches during the Oregon controversy, and
it will commend itself TO the good sense and nelli.
gence of the people in all sections of the countrv.-
Mr.. G. is not for interference with the Autocrat by
any declarations on the part of this Government,
which will require it TO back them up by the sword
but he has, seemingly, large faith in the moral er.
feet Of conventional declaration of principle,
founded upon natural justice, and well establish
ed doctrines of international law and this decIara-
ton he would have Congress make as The expires.
sion OF the public sentiment Of the nation sit be-
comes not the United Staes' he says, ssto deal in
with their coequas OF the world, but it does
become them to express their views plainly, and
with the same respect to others which they claim
for themselves, and to maintain them firmly when
they come to act" Again he SAYS
"But it has been asked, Whyprocaim YOUR opin
ion, unless you mean to maintain it by the strong
hand? For the reason that countless repre-
sensations and remonstrances have been made by in
dependent powers, when they had reason to appre-
bend the adoption of measures hostile TO the lust
principles Of national intercommunication. To mark
their dsapprobation of the act, and OF the doctrine
that their silence might not be construed int, acau-
escence and that when, in the mutation Of political
affairs the proper time should Gomez they mig hit in.
erpose efectDay, if they should desire it, not con-
cuded by the of violence nor by the lapse of
time; that the power itself, contemplating the step,
might pause, and review its position and its preten-
slons, and the consequences to which il might be
led, not knowing, Of course, what measures might
follow these appeals to its of right should they
fail be effectual. And above all that the public
opinion OF the world should be rightly instructed,
and brought TO aid IN these peaceful efforts to pre-
serve the rights Of mankind And let no man under
rate the power of this mighty engine for good. Ii
VIII 60 on IRON conquering to conquer, till its infu-
ence s everywhere established and recognized
Lord Paimerston, when Intercepted upon this Hun
garian question, in the House of Commons. and
speaking upon this very point, forcshadowed the oh.
lection, which meets in this country--aye. and
overwhelmed it-that there is no use in these NIB
lie declarations, for they may be thrown back by an
arbitrary power, which may say, using the language
oftha statesman: your opinions are but opinitns
and you express them against opinions, who have
large armies at our command to back them. Which
are the strongest, opinions or armies?'' ssSr' he
coutinues-and / commend the noble sentiment 10
all who doubt the progress Of the age-"Sir, my an
swer is, opinions are stronger than armies Opin-
ions, if they founded n truth and Justice will.
in the end, prevail against the bayonets Of infant.
ny, the fire ofartillery and the charges of CAVALRY"
And he adds, that, ''armed with opinion, if that
opinion is pronounced with truth and justice, we 1.-THE
people OF the Unsed states well as the people of
England)-we are indeed strong, and 10 the end
likely TO make our opinions prevail.'' Such scnti-
mens these, uttered in such place, were not less
honorable to the speaker, than to the administration
whose organ he was. And who can say how often
the designs Of ambition and injustice have been
stayed abandoned by energetic representations.
and BY the manifestations OF public dsapprobalion?
have referred to some cases where thew failed: bnt
the class Of those where they have been successful
is vastly more numerous-a tribute to the efficacy of
amicabe representations, and an encouragement to
make them.