Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-24
THE INTERVENTION" PRINCIPLE.
"A coMNuNIcArtoN.1

| interposed word or mingled in any form in the
exciting discussions Of this progressive age The
discussions, however, which have of late occupied
the public prints in connection with the advent OF
the ilustrious exile of Hungary, could not fail to
arrest the attention Of the most INDECENT and have
not been altogether callous. When it was announced
that the champion Of freedom was on board the
Mississippi, protected by the flag of liberty, telt
proudly; and when the electric herald announced
/ that he stood upon our shores, high thoughts and
warm emotions were kindled within me- have
read with interest the fervd oraory Of his addresses
and as his mission has been announced to cali us
10 array ourselves and say to the tyrants of earth
= Thus far and no further" glorious vision has
risen before me. | have seen our imperial Repub-
Tic rising up suddenly in the path of triumphant
despotism, rolling back its proud wave, and planting
the flag of the and stripes amid the conflicting
tribes of Europe the raying point to the oppress-
ed have thus seen her occupying the lofty post
of arbitress among the naton mistress of the seas
giving laws and dispensing rights and justice to the
world
These agreeable reveries have, however, been a
good deal embarrassed by several difficulties which
the practical turn Of my mind has suggested |
have looked into the addresses of Kossuth have
read divers speeches delivered before the wisdom of
Congress, and have not altogether neglected the
newspaper discussions; and, having not yet found
them to you.
Before, however, mention them, remark that
they are the same, whether the policy of our Gov
eminent be maintained by diplomacy or arms !;
whether ours be diplomatic Observation-Disclosures
terpostion, or military intervention to prevent in
teryention
My first difficulty is as to whom we shall take
under our care. And this seems to me of much
Importance, inasmuch as it would be very unplea-
I
some oppressed people, and bringing them safely
through their troubles, to find at last cuckoo in
the nest, banting prove to be spurious, and we
perhaps laughed at for our pains. Suppose, for
ample, that Hungary, by our aid, should be rescued
out of the hands of Austria, and should then turn
round and elect herself King, and organize an
Assembly of Mobiles. | do not intimate that such
would be the case but the possibility that in some
instances it might happen makes it an important
question for whom we shall provide. At first it
seemed plain enough that we should only aid those
who are struggling for liberty But, upon reflection,
this did not seem to make the matter much palmer
1t is true, find no difficulty in obtaining defni-
ton of the word elderly" Any dictionary will
explain that and if practical illustration is need
ed, we have but to turn to our own Government as
the embodiment of it. But, then, if we adhere
strictly to this definition we shall hardly be able to
find any object upon which to bestow our charities
If we allow any deviation from this standard how
far shall it go? May our proteges call themselves
Kingdoms, must they assume the name of Re-
publcs? Shall the Executive power be entrusted
to a Consul, President, King, or Protector
and must the Legislature be purely democratic, or
may it be mixed | do not mention these as insur-
mountable difficulties, but only suggest that the two
Houses Of Congress should, for the satisfaction of
any of the doubling, and the advertisement of all
such oppressed people it may coneern by resolu-
ton determine them. Perhaps, if they should
be at any loss the subject it might be possible to
have the aid of the grave deliberations of a New
York Mass Meeting To the same tribunal might
also be referred determination of the amount Of
oppression which would require our interposition
Another point of difficulty is to the manner in
which we shall ascertain in any given case whether
the matter is one in which we ought to NEEDLE. IL
might possibly happen that it is in reality not the
People but factious minority which is producing
the trouble and, amid the excitement and conflict,
it might be difficult to ascertain the fact. This diff
fculty might, however, be overcome by deputing
Commissioner in all such cases to superintend an
election at which the question shall be Liberty"
or !" No Liberty" Should the majority vote " Ii
berry," it would be evidently our duty to interpose
Should the response of majority be No Liberty"
it might be grave question whether we ought not
still to interfere, nasmuch as then it would be ap
parent 1idy b!IV haViily WIZ V SuyiOS, anu Wv
that the minority were victims to the tyranny Of
king aided by majority Of enemies Of freedom. II
would be a wise measure at once to demand of the
various Governments the privilege of designating
the Commissioner above mentioned in all necessary
cases, and a. our destiny is manifest it is presumed
that no friendly Power would decline Others can
be brought to terms by force.
4 specific determination is also important as TO
the dimension, relations, and political character
which body must possess before will feel JUST
fed in acting on its behalf 1t would evidently be
very inconyenient if we we're obliged by princi-
Piles to aid every riotous demonstration in Liverpool
or Birmingham and yet very small people are
only the more to be compassionatcd. No difficulty
need toaiding Hungary, or Poland, Ireland,
Scotland, or India. On the other hand, it is evi-
IDENTIFY the right Of the Magyars to subdue the
Croats without the interference Of any body. But
it is suggested as question Of deliberations whether
Wales, Ireland the seven Kingdoms Of the Saxons,
and others such, have not been long merged as TO
have lost all right to assume distinct nationality
1t might however, possibly be safe to leave this last
point to be determined as exigencies may demand.
at first felt somewhat at loss as to the means
Of assuring ourselves that our labors in behalf Of
liberty shall not be lost through the detection Of
those who have enlisted our generous sympahes and
aid Upon little reflection, however, it was appa-
rent to me that if we are the of endowng any
people with liberty, and they should manifest any
detection from it, rather than that such precious
blessings shall be lost, il will be not only our right
but our duty 10 interfere and compel them to con-