The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-12
FOreixn Policy.


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Foreign Policy.
The time is still recent when the foreign relations OF
this country engaged bu, small share of the attention
Of our public men, and when he was reputed finished
statesman who could give an intelligent opinion on The
various questions Of domestic present, how
ever the position OF the United States in respect to other
nations is the subject Of anxious reflection and discus
sion with the thinking men of the country
The treaty OF Guadalupe Hdalgo marks the commence
ment OF this in American politics. The tri.
umphs of our arms in Mexico gave us rank with the
foremost military powers Of the earth, while the con-
quest of territory in which the war terminated intro
duced us into wider sphere OF International obligation
That treaty consolidated the power Of the United States
on this continent and put into hands the control Of
the political system Of the western hemisphere Brought
by the expansion OF domain into contact with other
powers and elevated TO the position of undsputed arbiter
OF the political affairs Of the American continent il is not
wonderful that foreign relations of the country should
begin 10 awaken they certainly demand the anxious
and profound study OF the American statesman
II 10 time that public men We're beginning TO ad-
dress themselves to this condition OF things. The
old formula Of political gbbersh will not suffice for the
crisis The beaten track Of party politics will longer
conduct to fame station To establish claim to the
character of statesman the politician OF the present
day look somewhat beyond the lessons OF tradi-
ona creed, and must manifest other talent than
skill in intrigue and sagacity in detecting the tendencies
OF public opinion. philosophic and compreben-
sve survey of the relations OF this country other
lions, more familiar acquaintance with the obligations
of public law and juser appreciation Of the future
destiny of this great republic, will be expected OF him
who aspres to voice and influence in our national
councils The exgences Of the present crisis pressing
and momenlous They cannot be evaded and they canno,
be and mastered without full preparation The rapid
growth OF this country wealth and power provokes the
jealousy and fears OF nations OF rival strength and ad-
verse interests To comprehend and to battle their hos
tile designs is but Of the important duties imposed
upon the by the exgences OF the presen, crisis
Another and by far grave and Difficult, dsty will
be to give proper temper and direction to the public opn
ion OF his country. 1t is TO be disguised tina,
the splendid achievements OF American valor 10 the Mex
lean have made the people Of this country
hdent in their prowes and more reckless in undertaking
hazardous enterprises, at the time tina, they are
PEELED and daring adventures by that restless and
aspiring energy which their essential characteristic as
nation In the work OF restraining the tendency to ex-
in the popular opinion and passion, the press mus,
cooperate with the statesman lii hazardous for pub
lie public journal TO undertake to ress, the pres.
sure OF erbsmists, and TO maintain moderate position
against the current that sweeps strongly towards ultra
ism in both directions; nevertheless il is a solemn duty
from which selfish considerations OF eIpedency should
induce to shrink. Such a position has this journal
endeavored to maintain, and ssch position does il
to maintain. There is everywhere class of polt
cal Adventures who, from the desi.e OF change,
or with the hope OF mending desperate fortunes.
would recklessly involve their country in the ca
lamies OF and the disgrace OF violated public
faith. With them we can have no sympathy Nor can
sympahzs with that other class Of politicians with
whom progress is equivalent to national ruin. Their
obsolete notions, their rotten borough system OF policy
their trembling apprehension OF evil In every reform
and danger from every onward step in the progress
OF national development not less obnoxious to
than blind and headlong mps,uosity In view this
nation should neither itself upon the stand st slere,
oyped system of decayng civilization should It's
progress represent the rrupons of lawess violence Its
march towards its ultimate destiny should be with the
measured pace Of natural development Convulsive and
spasnodc efforts OF national energy indicate disease and
invariably terminate in disaster The only safe devel
opment OF strength and power is the development OF
tme and nature No doubt it requires effort TO
press 'ha exobsraot ardor OF brave and enierpsng
people, Out not otherwise the country escape the
pens Of an explosion. Let that ardsr be subjected
to the restraints OF high principle, and be guided
by the strcest adherence 10 public honor, and il
will accomplish everything Tor the glory OF the coun-
Try; bat lie, it run riot and ii will plunge the nation into
every conceivable calamity and Disgrace There /. too
much intelligence and too much virtue in lhi. country
10 give occasion to any apprehension tina, they will
ever yield to the restless impulse which ends in this last
catastrophe.
These sentiments will not satisfy men OF extreme
opinions but this consideration will not deter from
the ,itierance Of sentiments which we believe to be
consistent less with the welfare than with the honor
Of the country. AT this particular juneure Of public