The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-31
FOR THE REPUDLIC.l



IL has been the policy Of the United States from
their infancy not to interfere in the internal affairs
OF other countries and to form entanging alliances
with none. Our earliest statesmen were in favor
OF the doctrine Of non intervention. Under this
poiicy we have grown from infancy to manhood;
from weakness to strength; from feeble milton to
one OF the most powerful on earth, And we are at
TINS Tune dispensing blessings, and diffusing love
oil liberty throughout the world. We are now
asked to /orsaks this course, by pursuing which
such gigantic and glorious results have been ac-
complshed and strike into n.,o and untri.d path
q path which. if followed would probably lead to
utter destruction.
would ask, at the outset, is Intervention to DO
principle, or measure of expsdiency to be go-
verned by circumstances?
II Intervention Is to be principle; if to
say to the world no nation shall interfere in the in.
ternal Affairs Of other nations; then in that
must, under all circumstances, when one nation
intertercs in the internal affairs Of another nation
sny to the nation thus interfering, % Hands off, fair
play every nation has the right to regulate its own
internal concerns" Then why did we not inter-
fere when France crushed the Roman republic?
Again, why did we not, when Russia, France, and
England interierod to Greece from total ami
hation at the hands Of Turkey, say to those pow
ers. Hands off!' Yet again: If Hungary day
strikes ior Independence, and any country
earth should raise an army to march to the
slstance OF Hungary, we are bound by the princ-
pie we have adopted to say to the country desiring
to assist Hungary, " Hands off, Behold the work
ing of your principle! But some may answer. ''In-
tervention on the part Of the United Statcs is a
measure Of expedisncy." Well if tho United
States are to proclaim to the world that they repu
diats principle, and guided alone by circum-
stances then in that their moral influence is
gone, and they will be repudlated by all the world
and their protests will not be worth the paper on
which they written. Behold the results of
your creature of circumstances! As we would
spurn others who were guilty Of so dishonest and
treacherous a course, should detsst ourselves
were we guilty of it.
An alliance with England is proposed, in order to
carry out non interv cntion.
We should remember that the question now is
not republic for Hungary only, but it is republic
canism for all Europe. What would be the effect
in England of the carrying out of democratic prin
ciples? The effect would be to abolish the throne
extinguish the royal family, destroy hereditary
privileges, and cancel the public debt. And when
has the government of England yielded any thing
to the people that has not been wrung from it, Be-
sides, England has intel fered and does interfere
In the affairs of any and every nation, whenever
and wherever she has had or does have an opportu-
nifty to do And for her to assert the doctrine of
intervention at this day would be censue
o,cn course for centuries back Can we, then, be-
iievc for a moment that England would unite with
us to sustain non intervention? Certainly not Or,
If it possible for her TO unite with u.s. the union
would be on her part for some Interior purpose;
Europe, or to carry out some object for her own
aggrandizemcnt. And shall we engage in the
quarrels OF England and fight her battles9 NV
countryinen, beware OF forming alliance with
England for any purpose. If an alliance could not,
as We think, be formed with England, then, in that
case, the United States would have to sustain sin.
gle handed, non intervention.
Let us now look at the condition and situation of
Hungary. She is a conquered country, unarned,
and having her resources almost dried up from the
effects of late and most disastrous war. Ia she in
q condition to cope with one more powerful
We think she is not. Then she lies
contiguous TO AustriA and Russia-two powerful
nations, having standing armies, the united force
Of which amounts to at least million five hum
drsd thousand men in addition to which both have
militia of great numerical strength. These coun-
tries are watching Hungary with Argus eyes,
ready at moments warning, to rush upon and
oVerrun her. Now, We ask, is Hungary, with a
population less than fourteen millions. and ex-
la usted as che is, prepared, under these circum-
stances, to strike for independence? We think not
We now ask, would the intervention of the United
States be Of essential service to Hungary?
As this is most important question, let US ex-
anime it calmly, dispassionatey.
Whenever Hungary strikes for independence,
three weeks will eapse ere we shall have received
the news Of her new position So soon as the news
ia received, VIC must protect q arm arguing inter
vcntion as urged by Kossuth himself) One month
must expire before your protest reaches ST. Peters
burgh; another month will elapse while the Cara
answer il being received, which answer will no
doubt be uniavorable; for we have good reason for
believing that Nicholas, on receiving your protest
will not, in his fright, fall, like Beshazzar of old
hsadlong from his throne. Three mon tbs have been
thus consumed Now comes a declaration of ,car;
for Kossuth himself a1irms. If our protest is un.
needed, than, in that case, arc literally Obliged
to go to Well, the question Of war is debated
in Congress; we say debated, because If majority
even, Of the American people, should be in favor of
armed intervention, large minority, in and out
of Congress. would be opposed to Intervention; and
that minority in Congress would exhaust every
parliamentary exPedient in order to save their
country from dircful calamity az is sought TO
be forced upon her Another month il thus con
declaration Of war ia made. We are now to no to
the assistance Of Hungary. for the great contcst
must be decided toiD.in her territory and noo.e,e
else and il is folly TO assert tina, Hungary would
not be the battle ground. An army of FIVE hundred
thousand men ia nov to be enlisted, armed and
equipped. say five hundred thousand men, be-
cause II would be stupidity to attempt to cope with
the combined powers OF Russia and Austria witha
less number. The bugles blast resounds through
out the land recruiting officers are seen in all III.
reetions drumming up recruits. Our once peace
ful and happy country is nov all excitement and
| may add alarm. -Four months arc spent in rails.
ing, arming, and cqupping your army, and in
collecting 1t at proper points for embarkstion, Ia
saying four months speak of the shortest possible
time in which to accomplish all that | have refer
red to. Indeed, it lie my decided opinion that an
army could not be collected in this Confedoracy
for the purpose of engaging in rsmot, from
our territory Eight months will have then apsed
since Hungary first struck for independence
We will presume that your army 10 now ready to
embark. Now comes the important question
where 10 your navy to transport your army across