The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-13


nature has placed US. tho opportunity she has en-
dowed us with of pursuing, at a distance from for
eign contentious, the paths Of industry, peace, and
happiness OF cultvating general friendship, and Of
bringing collisions of interest to the umpirage Of
reason rather than of force. How desirable, then, /,
must it be. in a Government like ours, to see its
citizens adopt individually the views, the interests
and the conduct which their country should pursue
divesing themselves Of those pa assons and par tall
ties which tend to essen useful friendships and to
embarrass and embroil US in the calamitous scenes
of Europe"
Mr.. Monroe, who was at the helm at the only
period OF q political millennium, in his third an
nual messa ge, says:
'It is of the highest importance to national
character, and indispensable TO the morality Of oar
citixens. that all violations of neutrality should
be prevented. No door should be left open for the
evasion of our laws; no opportunity afforded to any
who may be disposed to take advantage Of it TO
compromit the honor or interest of the nation. II
10 submitted, therefore, to the OF Con-
gress, whether it may not be advisable TO revise the
laws with view to this desirable result"
In his seventh annual message, Mr.. Monroe
says:
'.Our policy in regard to Europe, which was
adopted at an carly stage Of the wars which have
so long agitated that quarter of the globe. never
theiess remains the samc-which is, not to interfere
in the internal concerns Of any of its powers; to
consider the government de faciO the legitimate
government for us; to cultivate friendly relations
with it. and to preserve those relations by frank
firm. and manly policy-mcoting in all instances
the JUST OF every power, submitting 10 lnJu-
ries from none."
Jackson, whose stern purpose and iron will gave
70 his determination force which few were
hardy enough to dispute, in his third annual mes
sage, says
''Having none but a aightforward, open course
to pursue-guided by single principle that will
bear the strongest light-we have happily no po-
itica combinations to form. no alliances to entan
gle US, no complicated interests to consult"
IN his fourth annual message he says:
''ln the view have given Of our come xiOns with
foreign powers, illusions have been made to their
domestic disturbances or foreign wars, to their re-
volutions or dissensions. II may be proper to OBJ
serve, that This is done solely in where those
events affect our political relations with them
to show their operations on our commerce. Fur
ther than this, 1t is neither policy right
to interfere, Our best wishes all occasions, our
good offices when required, will be afforded to pro-
mote the domestic tranquility and foreign peace
OF all nations with whom we have any intercourse
Any Intervention in their affairs further than this
srfn BY the expression Of official opinion, 10 con-
trary to our principles Of national policy, and will
always be avoided"
Mr.. Polk. whose elevation to power made him.
at least for time, the exponent OF his party, in his
first annual message, says:
alt is natural that our sympathies should be
warmly enlisted for their the nations OF South
America] welfare; that We should desire that all
controversies between them should be amicably
adjusted. and their governments administered In a
manner TO protect their rights and promote the
prosperity OF the people II is contrary, however,
10 settled policy to interfere in their conuover
sizes, whether external or internal"
And on the Ilth Of April. 1926, MIR. Polk offered
the following resolution in the House Of Represent
atives, and supported il in a long speech:
"ResoIcsd, That il is the sense OF this House that
the sending Of ministers, the part OF the United
States to take part in the deliberations Of the Con-
gress of South American nations, at Panama. would
be total departure from the uniform course of pol
icy pursued by this Government, from the adop-
tion Of the Federal Constitution 20 the present Pc
a,x.t hop.
tendency to involve the nation in 'sntans ling al
Iiancss, and endanger the neutrality and relations
of amity and peace which at present happily sub
sst between the United States and the belligerent
powers-Old Spain and the southern republics OF
this continent"
Mr.. Woodbury.. a northern light, whose fidelity
to the doctrine OF progress was never doubted,
quotes John Quincy Adams in confirmation OF his
opinions:
"W here. also. 10 the criss-where the emergency
10 justify such an extraordinary moasurey why
quit our own TO stand on foreign ground Why
join our fortunes in any case, much less in
less war, with powers Of another origin-anoiher
tongue-another faith Have become incom-
petent TO our sclf defence? Are in need offor-
eign 'counscis,' and foreign deliberations to
manage our own concerpsl Or nre we moon
struck, 30 little employed at home, as, in the
eloquent language OF our President, ON another
casion-whcn the sentiments expressed found a
response in every patriot hcart-as to wander
abroad in search Of foreign monsters TO destroy I
Speaking OF America, and her foreign policy, he
observed, She has abstaincd from interference in
the concerns OF others, even when the conflict
has been for principles TO which she ciings as to
the last vital drop which visits the heart when
ever the standard of freedom and independence
has been, or shall be unfurled, there will her
heart, her benedictions, and her prayers be. But
she goes not abroad in search Of monsters TO de-
stroy. She 10 the we'll wisher to the freedom and
Independence of all. She 10 the champion and
vindiontor only of her own (Adaps's Oraf,or,
9TH July, lsil.) This is the first time that the
legislative department OF our Government has ever
been distinctly appealed TO for its sanction 10 the
new notions tbus ably denounced by him; and IL
we now approve the Panama Congress. whose chief
object is 10 enforce them, at once adopt and ap-
prove ,ho principle, that Spain has not, by such al
lianccs national law warrants, and as were
formed on both aides in eur own Revolution, any
night 60 attempt ~ reconquer and recoonire South
America and further, that sbs has not, by such
sales a national law warrants, and hswe ourselves
have psrtaken, any right to transfer Cuba Porto
Rico to any European power with whom she
agree upon the purchase money, and that those
unprecedented and un just positions we willing
TO maintain at any sscrihee OF blood and trss-
sure.
Peace will doubtless arrive soon those bel
hgcrent powers will enjoy leisure to engage with
utility in any peaceful Improvements with US
Inter s,ienf hgs'; and IL seems TO me the die
tate Of prudence TO remain contentedly at
home, without embarking IN any new experiments
Of diplomacy OF coalitions with confederate bel
hgerent-'-to pay off isst as possible the debts of
former vsrs-to husband our resources-to cncour-
age our States in the cultivation Of the arts, Of
manufactures, and Of sgricolture-to give due pro-
lection to commeree-and retain for our motto;
Honest friendship with all nations. entangng al
hanccs with nons.'"
Robert Y. Hsyne, in bis speech on the Panama
mission, March, 1926, Gays:
"The whole question may be resolved into this :
are prepared now TO depart from the funds.
mental policy OF this country never 10 interfere in
the concerns Of other nstionsl Are ready to
embark our fate with that of the Spanish Amoricsn
rcpublics' To become parties 10 American
confederscy,' against the European confederscy"
Sir, IL will not, IL cannot be denied, that the pro-
posed s entirely out OF the Of ordi-
nary diplomatic relations; IL has no precedent but
in that 'groat Alliance profsnely called Holy
and equally offensive to God and to man We are
about TO violate the maxim OF the Father OF his
Country. which enjons upon us. as the inost sacred
Of duties, 'to cultivate peace and honest friendship
with all nations, entangliug alliances with nono;
10 equally violate the wise and prudent policy Of
the fate President Of the benefits Of which we have
glowing picture from the pen Of the Secret.ry Of
State, in the documents nov your table
"Shall we abandon this high and honorable
ground TO engage in crusade, the end Of wbic
no human being can foreseo' Let IL be remem-
bercd, that when, short time prior 20 the meeting
sf &, ngrcss, II WAS rumored that this invitation
had been given and the determination Of the Pre-.