The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-23
Debate on Foreign Relations.

Debate on Foreign Relations.
We cannot concur the opinion Of those captious jour
nails who censure the debate in Congress the foreign
relations Of the country an Improbable if not an i'm
polite of time On the contrary, the deep interest
which the federal legislature manifests in all questions
respecting the foreign policy OF the government fore
shadows of more comprehensive craftsmanship in
our public men, and OF more vgilant regard for the
rights, dignity, and honor OF the republic But there
reasons sprngng from the circumstances OF the present
moment, and operating with peculiar force the pres
ent Congress, which justify the extraordinary attention
devoted 10 the examination OF our foreign relations.
When before dd so many grave questions OF interna
ona politics engoss the attention of the country al the
same moment First in interest, the subject OF Cuban
annexation, in all its relations, is OF itself sufficient to
awaken the anxious and profound reflection OF
the statesman, or still more urgent Importance is the
tang e4 al embarrassing condition OF Central American
1macy- involving, as il does, questions concerning
BRUSH aggression, herghls Of the independent govern
mens OF this continent, and treaty spuations
Next the Tehuaniepec business demands the action OF
the government French projects in Hayti to be
watched the problem of Canadian reciprocity is TO be
solved and the righ,,of American fishermen to be
and of pressing Importance the consideration OF which
the government can neither evade nor adjourn to
another time From their nature it results that they
must be met and be satisfactorily determined within
the shortest possible period By the administration they
have been ignored and neglected or if touched. but
the more complicated and if examined, but the
confused and embarrassed. 1t is incumbent upon Con-
gress to supply the deficient action OF the Executive, TO
initiate measures for the vndicaton of American rights
and 10 mpar an impulse and direction the public
timent oil the country. While the administration is
sleeping away the last moments OF i abortve and
i'm ate existence torpid Indifference 10 everything but
The petty details Of official routine, becomes Congress
to assume The post of sentinel and guardian OF the public
interests and to gapple with the great issues Of Amer
can diplomacy.
To speak of ers in the foreign affairs OF this coun
try is 10 hazard expression which may possibly pro-
woke SMILE but a more careful reflection the
mark will show its perfect proptiety. We have seen
what gave questions of foreign policy now engage the
thoughts OF our statesmen VIVA, it, above all other pc
Rod, in American history the present be the moment
most propl,ious for the satisfactory solution Of these
questions Yet il is impossible regard j, otherwise.
survey Of The political world will convince that this
particular iunoure Of affairs affords extraordinary ac
ties for The satisfactory settlement Of disputes with
other nations and for The consolidation OF the American
power on this continent II happens that at this moment
the nations with whom have disputes and with whose
interests our own may conflict, are so engrossed with
questions OF domestic concern as to be unable 10 employ
their energies on this continent for the purpose OF sup
porting their ambitious pre,ensons. Spain, to,,ering
on the brink OF revolution, finds the power of IFS
government scarcely adequate TO the preservation Of
the existing order Of things. The usurper OF France
has enough to employ all his thoughts and ener-
ses in strengthening his grasp OF power and in smotherng
the hostility OF Jealous and If he cherishcs pro-
iecs of conquest they probably not in the direction of
ibis continent The condition OF Great Britain absolutely
forbids a rupture with this country. We speak not
of that commercial dependence, which is thought to bind
Great Britain TO the United States in the bonds OF the
closest, il not OF perpetual friendship but OF that necessity
of sedefence which forces England TO proec, her own
coasts with the utmost resources OF her naval and mill
tary service The engrossng thought with British
men is an apprehension Of invasion from across the
channel and their chief care by what TO intercept
the hostile designs Of Napoleon Ill England would
not dare but under the pressure of irresistible necessity
to raise her arm against America when by that act she
would expose her unprotected bosom to the stab OF her
mortal foe Another circumstance in British politics al
ords evidence OF the pacific purposes OF the British gov
eminent in respect TO This country. Lord Pamsrs,on nc
longer coatros its foreign relations His party
stored to power but he himself is purposely excluded
from the Foreign Department, and another fills hi. place
This is an indication OF change of policy in the govern
men, OF Great Britain which, taken in conjunction with
the mild and pacific declarations of The new Premier
is entitled to great consideration on this side the At
antc. American statesmen, then, are warranted By
the circumstances Of the political condition, not o.
Great Britain only, but OF Spain and Of France, TO nss
upon satisfactory solution Of the disputes and difficulties
Of International American politics This is the favorable
moment when temperate but firm and bold assertion
American right. this continent would command hi
respect and Of the European powers who, doubns
and su.pec,ing one another, neither embark in
mon enterprise relax their vgiant selfdelence Thu