Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1852-03-24
N0n-Intervention.

he great speech Of GENERAL Cas- on
he non-intervention resolutions.
Rumors have recently reached Us,
which may warn us to be ready to
lake our part in the assertion ofgreat
rights, intimately connected with the
spirit Of our own institutions. 1t is
said, and with good deal of conf
dence, that the great European con-
Powers have demonstrated
with England against the refuge she
has offered to political exiles, and in
a tone which indicates that what is
refused to diplomatic representations
may be demanded with hostile me-
naces. 1t is difficult to believe that
the folly Of power and despotism can
go so far, and yet a similar demand
on Turkey, shows that if it do not, it
is not because they are restrained by
a sense of right, or by a regard to
the independence of other Powers.
The liberty Of escape il to be wrested
from the unfortunatepatriot, and the
liberty of the dungeon and Of death
only allowed to him. Europe is to
become one vast prison-house, and
the aspirations offreedom, incapable
crimes, which the hunters of men
are to pursue eternally, and to pun
ish inexorably..
believe England will meet such
an insolent and barbarous demand in
that sturdy spirit ofresistance, which
her people have so often displayed
and recent advices inform us, that
the British Governments already up
and doing preparing to meet a grave
conjuncture by Notifications, looking
to the defence of London, and by
other military, and by naval precau-
tons. But who doesnot know, tina,
if this pretensi"n succeed there, our
time of trial would come next? The
broad ocean is not broad enough to
separate the victims of despotism
from the jealous wrath of the oppres-
sor, who might we'll fear that the
gales of the Atlantic would bear to
his dominions that loud note of sym
patty which makes the interest the
American people take, and which
Washington took in the struggles Of
freedom. Well, sir, if this work goes
on, and the decree goes forth to the
world, either by declaration or by &C.
ton, are we to wait till the storm
bursts upon US, before we even raise
a voice in support of our national
rights? No, sir; he who should recon-
mend such timid policy, would find
his countrymen far ahead of him in
their generous apprec alton of their
rights and their duties. Distinct
manifestations of such an intention
to attack the independence of Eng
land, for such cause, would rouse a
spirit of Indignation in this country,
which would not be diverted from its
purpose by the cold allegation, that
we intervene in the affairs of other
natians, when we pronounce ourJudg-
ment upon a monstrous pretention
utterly incompatible with the most
sacred attributes of independence,
and that to do so is to form "entang-
ling alliances" and artificial ties"
As there must be two parties, at least
to all alliances and a,t.fcialties, it will
be time to announce our danger when
there is any serious proposition to
unite ourselves with any other Pow
er.
Mr.. President, it has often been
said, that we have a mission to full
fill, and SO, indeed has every nation;
and the first mission of each is to
conduct is own affairs honestly and
fairly, for it's own benefit; but after
that, its position and institutions may
give to it peculiar influence in the
prevailing moral and political contro-
versies of the world, which it is bound
to exert for the welfare of ALL While
we disclaim any crusading spirit
against the political institutions of
other countries, we may well regard
with deep interest the struggling eff
forts of the oppressed through the
world, and deplore their defeat, and
rejoice in their success. And can
any one doubt, that the evidences of
sympathy which are borne to Europe
from this great Republic will cheer
the hearts, even when they do not aid
the purposes, of the downtrodden mas
SEES, to raise themselves, if not to pow
err, at least to protection? Whatever
duties may be ultimately imposed on
us by that dark future which over
shadows Europe, and HIGH we can
not foresee, and ought not to under
take to define, circumstances point
out the present policy, while, at the
same time, they call upon US to exert
our moral influence in support of the
existing principle of public law, plac-
ed in danger, not merely by the am
bition, but still more by the fear Of
powerful monarchs-the tear lest the
contagion of liberty should spread
over their dominions. carrying de-
struction to the established systems of
oppression. But ! repeat emphati-
calIy what l said upon a former occa-
sion, when this subject was before US,
and what upon no occasion have |
since contradicted or unsaid, and |
may add, what distinctly stated to
the martyr OF the struggles Of his own
country, now the honored guest of
l. \