Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-24
THE POLICY OF WASHINGTON.
FROM THE NEW YORK EXPRESS.


day of his death-wil have the effect Of making
the name and fame of Washington more and more
dear to his countrymen In view of these assaults,
We see disposition manifested among the conserva-
tive portion OF our countrymen to celebrate with
more than its usual remembrance the approaching
Anniversary of the Birthday of the great Wash
ington. There is at this time a peculiar appropr-
lteness in this celebration An effort has been made
| BY one received from abroad as the guest of this
city and Government; by one taken from Turkish
prison to be honored beyond what Prince or Sover-
egn ever honored before, and, as we think, far
beyond any honor bestowed upon the public bene
factors Of our own country, to unteach all that
We have been taught in the words of one whom in
a common language, and by common understand
irg, we refer to as the Father of his Country"
New interpretations have been tupon his thoughts;
new definitions have been given to his words and
a bold and unwarranted effort has been made to
make him unsay all that, according to our judg-
ment he had made so plain that he who runs might
read and understand There are some things-and
We thank Heaven for (which are true, and
changeaby true. They relate as well to the duty
of Government of individuals; they belong not
to one, but to every age; they questions which
affect the independence of nations and one of these
great truths take to be the principle of non-inter
venton in the affairs of other countries. That at
least, has been great practical truth of Gov
eminent and times, and to an adherence to it we
owe our greatest good fortune and prosperity. We
hope it may never be departed FROM and that nei-
Their the love of military glory the persuasive
eoquence of oratory will lead the authorities of this
nation to swerve one moment from the early policy
| of the Government Those who desire to know
what that policy is, will find it not alone in the
words but in the action of the men who framed the
Constitution, and who first called upon to adj
minister the Government The words Of the Fare
well Address more familiar to readers than
some other words, recorded later in life, but at
period no less eventu in the history of the Govern
ment. 1t was in the midst of our difficulties with
the French Government, during the reign of the
French Directory when there was French party
in the United States that Washington was called
from his retirement at Mount Vernon to take COM
mand of the armies of the United States. A war
between France and the United States seemed to be
inevitable. Insult upon insult was heaped upon our
Ministers; and at the age of sixty-six years, in
1893, WASHINGTON wrote the following letter to
his friend, Mrs. s. Fairfax, of Virginia
MOUNT VERNON, MAY 49, 1898.
To Mrs. S, FAIRFAX: = Z In a word if this
try steer clear of European politics stand firm its
bottoms and be wise and temperate its government it
bids fair to be Of the greatest and happes nations in
the world.
But much more memorable letter was written
at the close of the year, and to whose name
and services in this country we have been accus-
toned to respect and revere next to those Of Wash
ington himself
MOUNT VERNON, DECEMBER %, 1898
To Gen, LAFAYETTE: You have expresseda
wish worthy the benevoence your head that would
exert all my endeavors the caamitous effects of
rupture between countries Believe me, my dear
FRIEND that no deprecate event of this sort
with more horror than should, and that one, du-
ring the whole Of my Administration abored inces
sanity, and with sincerity and zeal, than did to
avoid this and to render all justice nay favor to France
consistent with the neutrality which had been proclaimed
sanctioned by Congress- approved by the State Legsla
lures and by the people large in their and
ty meetings. But neutrality was not the point at which
France was aiming; for whilst they crying Peace
Peace and pretending that they did not wish to be
broed in their quarrel with Great Britain they pur
suing measures in this country repugnant to its
eighty and Soncopatijle ruth epe principle Of aeuraly
must inspitaJy hare produced Nth the latter And
whea hyfou1d that tie Government here resolce9 ad
here steadily is plan Of neutrality their next step was to
destroy the confidence of the people, and separate them
selves from it. for which purpose their diplomatic agents
specially instructed and in the attempt aided
by nimcal characters among ourselves not observed
before because they loved France more than any other
nation but because it instrument facilitate the
destruction of their own Government. Y
But it is fact which you may entirely rely that
the governing powers of the country and large part Of
the people, truly American in principle attached
the interests of it. and uncg under any circumstances
chaeper participate AND CONTESTS or
EUROPE much less since they have found that France,
having forsaken the ground first TAKEN interfering the
Of all nations neutral well as belgerent and
setting the world in an uproar
After my yaedctory Address the People of the Uni
ted States you would doubt be somewhat surprised
hear that had again consented to grid on the sword
But having struggled eight nine years against the in
vasion of rights by Power and to establish
independence Of it, could not remain an unconcerned
spectator Of the attempt Of another Power accomplish
the object though in different way with less pre-
tensions; indeed without any at all
On the politics of Europe shall express no opinion,
nor make any inquiry who is right who is wrong
wish well to all nations and to all My politics
plain and simple. Think euery nation has right esta5
hsh that form Of government under whih may
lire happy provided 0tracts right, is not dan
gerow 10 Others THAT NO GOVERNMENT OUGHT
TERFERE INTERNAL CONCERNS ANOTHER
cEpT roR THE SECURITY THEMSELVES.
These are the words of WASHINGTON TO LAFAY-
ETTEi Read them, ponder upon them, and main
tain them as the last counsels of man who contri-
buted more perhaps, than all other men to the
Liberties, the Independence, and the Glory Of the
American Government. Such language is capable
of no doubtful or double Interpretation. 1t means
just what HENRY CLAY said to Kossuth the other
day, in Washington: a dying man. Iopposc YOUR