The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-06


Congress Gin yue OF The right 10 recommend given BIN
BY the conslution) 10 make this declaration IN some
resolution OF other proper FORM and he pledged by
10 nothing more than this: that If Congress passed such
resolution, or made such declaration, he would a-
prove Il. There was pledge in ~ 10 any power on
earth but his own country in Congress assembled
The American government could be committed only by
the vote Of both houses OF Congress- approved by the Pres
dent The proposition recomn ended By Mr.. Montoe was
warmly opposed by the very Congress 10 which il was
submitted. No such declaration made or attempted
10 be made by Congress; but Mr.. Clay. who
dent supporter OF Mr. Nonroe's administration did, al
the time propose resolution 10 the House OF Represent
aves, which intended TO approach the declaration,
but that failed His resolution was 4" that the peo-
pie of hese States would not without serious nque
Jude. any J0rebls lnterposuon BY the allied powers OF
Europe in the behalf OF SPAIN to reduce 10 their former
subsection those parts OF the continent OF America which
have proclaimed and established for Themselves, Iespec
lively independent governments, and which have been
solemny recognised BY the United States" Even had
this passed il was but poor response 10 the recommend
alton Ii did not adopt Mr.. Monroe's language or Ms
equivalent and il restricted The serious nquetude we
should feel 10 the of forcbL ineTposon by the
allied powers to aid Spain But Mr. Cays resolution,
when thus diluted backed by all the influence which
he and Mr. Webster exeed The occasion, never passed
the House OF Representatives. The Hon James X. Polk
during the debate on the Panama mission, tells US the fate
OF Mr. Clays resolution, and OF Mr. Websefs kindred
Greek resolution which was defeated by large Majority
at the same session. As Mr.. Polk is often cited
advocate OF the opinion that Mr. Monroe's presidential
message had pledged the nation TO adopt the policy which
L
lowing passage from his speech the Panama mission
in 1926. no, only showing that he did not consider
such recommendations as he and Mr. Monroe gave to
Congress in any sense binding upon this government
without the consent Of Congress- but also TO show The
fate OF Mr.. Clay's resolution:
" Before he concluded, MIR. Polk said he would say
word in relation the pledge which il was said the nation
had given in re a!ion to our South American policy When
the message of the late President (Monoe) Of the United
States communicated to Congress, II was viewed, a. 1t
should have been as HE mere expression oil opinon OF Tue
Executive, submited TO the consideration and debeIaon
upon The Holy Alliance, relation their
supposed intention 10 interfere IN the war between Spain
agency producing and. if So had formed its office
The President had no power TO bind the nation by such
pledge The sound and sober Judgment OF The people OF
the United States had been brought to the concu
sion that we could IN any event make common cause with
families OF IN their behalf all sympahies all our
good ieelnss were with them; shed them success;
then as he hoped we still were, unprepared
to depart from settled policy As strong evidence OF
Rotary of Stale, (Mr Cay) then member of the House,
nad submitted resolution responding The sentiments oil
submitted, the session. by The honorable mem
Der lon Ma sachusetts the lever up seemed
crusade in behalf OF Others The sober iudgme of the
House inerposed the Greek resolution shared fate, and
sleeps upon the table Mr. Clay ceay that the
fate inevitably awaited his South American resolution,
win only THIS difference, that it would piobab, Aave been
negatlved by much erwhelnlpg majority. 1t
was not called up He, however, elected oblect he
prevented any expression OF opinion BY submitting his
resolution, others induced do with
taton oil having an opportunity OF voting on his And now
is said Tue national honor is pledged to act up TO the dec
sdet and for one be never could egree to endanger
the peace oil the country by sending ministers the
sulative assembly at Panama"
In the celebrated debate on the Panama mission,
Mr. Buchanan opposed the mission on the grounds,
Speaking OF the Monroe declaration, he said
/" answered The purpose for which it was intended,
and the danger which then threatened the southern repub
lies has since passed away This declaration contained
pledge TO any foreign CoUcnmeH IL lett perfectly Tree
but has since been converted into such pledge by Mr.
Auamss administration; ana although they nave not
framed formal alliances with the southern republics, yet
extent Mr.. Clay, said he, has gone such extemes
"a the cause OF these republics that III this particular pfu-
cent men would eel disposed to pment his heart at
the expense oil his understanding"
MIR. Buchanans com plant against Mr. Clay which he
thought went TO show the weakness of Mr. Gays head
was lhIshat he had Instructed Mr. Poinse to bring to
the notice OF the Mexican government the message of
Mr. Monroe, and that Mr. Ponseit had said the Mex
lean government that +" the United States had pledged
themselves Eoi 10 permit any other power to interfere
with the independence or form OF government OF the
Spanish American republics" know 1t is claimed that
10 Mr. Buchanans Instructions TO Mr. Hise he asserted
the Monroe doctrine but careful examination OF
ms lang II will be found that he did not instruct Mr.
ise TO make any such declaration, and only said that
European interference with the domestic concerns of the
American republics would leopard their independence
and ruin their interests" and in the very sentence
he assigns reason why the United States decline TO
sist such Interference In the instructions he tells
MI Hse that II Is our intention to maintain esab
foreign nations"
Such are the words of Mr. Polk and Mr. Buchanan
lhei acls or omissions to act sill significant
oil their opinion of the binding force OF the Monroe doc
nne. The letters OF Buago, the Secretary of State of
Nicaragua TO Mr. Buchanan, of the 18th of November,
lS47 and OF Gnerro, the President Supeme Director
OF that Stale TO President Polk the 10Th OF November
ls47 imptore the enforcement OF the Monroe doctrine.
Not one word OF reply; not any kind OF notice ever
given by either OF them TO Nicaragua that such letters
were received The most imprisoned eloquence, urging
again and again that Nicaragua abou TO fall VIC
tim 10 BRUSH AGGRESSION, and entreatIng The United
States to interfere the very principles advanced by
MI Polk himself in his at the first session of
the 2ah Congress- and reiterated in his Yucaau message
was OF no avail The solicitations OF Salinas and Caste
Ion, and The warnings of Mr. Lvingsto consul at
Leon, were equally Intellectual There seemed to be
chord IN the bosom OF that administration which ybrated
TO the touch oil those who kneeed aud begged Tor
IN this dark hour OF their distress The Monroe doctrine
was LAID aside; the Presidents own Recommendation to
Congress had, suppose, also, like Mr.. Monroes,
eJormed Us Office" The British, in their shpso war
" Alarm" and NIxen," entered the San Juan river,
without eUen remembrance from government, on the
Sth OF January, ls4s, and while Mr.. Polk and Mr. Bu.
chanan slumbefed over all these orewarnings Of the fate
OF Nicaragua took the town of San Juan and changed its
name TO "Greytown;" stormed the fort OF Serspaqui,
and in the island OF Cuba the midst of the magnificent
lake OF Nicaragua, dictated their terms conquer
oTs to the unhappy people, who, relying upon our sup
posed promises OF help contained in the Presidents pre-
vous public avows OF The Monroe doclrne had dared
TO wage and expend their blood in defence of their
native land. The documents before Congress exhibit
on the part OF government the most cold and con-
temptuons sienee-a perfect indifference 10 all the ap
peals OF weak sister repubIc-and her letters
never answered until they answered by Zachary
Taylor, who has been much abused for not carrying
om The Monroe doctIin> HIS letter to the President aud