The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-23

ton bv The allied p0sceys Of Europe, In the DehaH
of Spain, TO reduce to their former subsection those
parts of the continent OF America which have pro-
claimed and established for themselves respectivs
ly independent governments, and which have
been solemnly recognised by the United States"
Even in this shape, and notwithstanding the
combined eloquence of Mr.. WEBSTER and Mr..
clay, the sdoctrine" was rejected by the
House of Representatives. The fate of
the resolution, and the real nature of Mr..
MoNRoE's recommendation, were afterwards
set forth by Mr.. JAMES K. Polk in the debate
on the Panama mission. Mr.. CLAYTON quotes
from the reports of the day as follows:
"Before he concluded, MIR. Polk said he would
say word in relation to the pledge which it was
said the nation had given in relation to our South
American policy. When the message of the late
President (Monroe) of the United States was com.
municated to Congress, it viewed, as it should
have been, as the mere expression of opinion of the
Executive, submitted to the consideration and de-
liberation of Congress; and designed probably to
produce an effect upon the councils of the holy
alliance in relation to their supposed intention to
interfere in the war between Spain and her former
colonies. That effect it probably had an agency
in producing; and if so, it had performed it's Office
-
such pledge. The sound and sober judgment of
the people of the United States had not been
brought up to the conclusion that we could in any
event, make common cause with the republics of
the South, involve ourselves in the caamities of
war in their behalf; all our sympathies, all our
good feelings were with them; we wished them
success; but self-preservation is the fret law of
nature and of nations; were then, as he hoped
we still were, unprepared to depart from our
settled policy.
Gas strong evidence Of what the opinion of this
House then was, the present Secretary of State,
(Mr. Clay,) then member of the House, had
submitted resolution responding to the sentiments
of the message of the President. The Greek re-
solution was submitted, too, at the same session.
by the honorable member from Massachusetts !;
the fever was up; We seemed to be then, if we
had been, prepared to go on political crusade in
behalf of others. The sober jud gment of the House
interposed; the Greek resolution shared its fate,
and sleeps upon the table. Mr.. Clay saw clearly
that the same fate inevitably awaited his South
American resolution, with only this difference,
that it would probably have been negatived by a
much more overwhelming majority 1t not called
up. He, however, effected one object; he prevent
ed any expression of opinion. By submitting his
resolution, others were induced not to do So with
an expectation of having an opportunity of voting
on his. And now it is said the national honor is
pledged to act up to the declaration of that mes
sage. For himself he did not 80 consider it; and,
for one, he never could agree to endanger the
peace of the country by sending ministers to the
consultative assembly at Panama"
During the same debate, Mr.. BUCHANAN ex-
pressed his idea of the intent of Mr.. MoNRoE's
words, ascribed any force they possessed to the
subsequent action of Mr.. ADAMs's administra-
ton, and found fault with Mr.. CLAY for his re-
Spouse to the declaration. Referring to that
declaration Mr.. BUCHANAN said:
"It answered the purpose for which it was in
tended, and the danger which then threatened the
Southern Republics has passed away. This decla-
ration contained pledge to any, foreign government
1t left perfectly free, but ii has since been con-
verted into such pledge by Mr.. Adams's admin
istration; and although they have not framed for
NAL alliances with the Southern Republics, yet
they have committed the country in honor to an
alarming EXTENT "Mr. Clay,e said he, sshas
gone to such extremties, in the cause of these re-
publics, that, in this particular prudent men would
feel disposed to compliment his heart at the ex-
pense of bis understanding"
The "extremities" of Mr.. CLAY thus depre-
Gated by Mr.. BUCHANAN were limited to this
that he had instructed Mr.. PolNsETr to bring
Mr.. MoNRoE's view to the notice of the Mexi-
can government; In pursuance of which Mr.
PoINsETT did tell that government that "the
United States had pledged themselves not to
permit any other power to interfere with the
independence or form of government of the
Spanish American republics" 1t has been
alleged in Mr.. BUCHANAN's behalf that he af-
forwards affirmed the same doctrine in his in
structions to Mr.. HIsE; but Mr.. CLAYTON
shows that the allegation is groundless. Mr..
BUCHANAN told Mr.. HIsE that sit is our inten-
tion to maintain our established policy of nom
Intervention" and assigned reasons why the
United States must decline interference in sup
port of the South American republics
The acts of Mr.. Polk and Mr.. BUCHANAN
are as conclusive upon this point as their words.
In l847, Nicaragua twice besought the United
States Government to enforce the Monroe doc
trine; but no reply was given to the appica-
ton. Solicitations and warnings from other
sources against British aggression in that coun-
try were not more effectual. The Monroe doc
trine was virtually shelved, and Nicaragua left
to her fate. British war-ships stormed her
forts, took San Juan, and dictated terms to the
people; still the Democratic Government of the
United States was silent. 1t sent neither sue
cor nor remonstrance. The first notice of the
affair was taken by the next Wing President,
General TAYLOR, who over his own signature,
as we'll as through the Secretary Of State, Mr..
CLAYTON, assured Nicaragua of the good offices
of our Government, and interposed in her be-
half with the government of Britain.
The Oregon treaty is another circumstance
cited by Mr.. CLAYTON in support of the posi-
ton that the Monroe recommendation was
practically disregarded by the last Democratic
administration, as it had been previously and
uniformly discarded by the Democratic party in
Congress. We quote the remarks with which
Mr.. CLAYTON closes his review of this subject;
leaving our readers to test the value of recent
Senatorial vaporings by reference to the facts
here developed:
"lndulge me in few more words to close the
history np rip an he of