The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-19
Our Foreign Relationship Monroe Doc
trine-Cub a-Speech of Gen. Cass.

tomorrow.
Our Foreign RelatiOns-The Monroe Doc
trine-Cub a-Speech Of Gen. Cass.
We appropriate large portion of this day
HERALD to the speech Of Gen. Cass, delivered
yesterday in the United States Senate, on the
general subject Of our foreign relations, but es-
pecially IN reference to the Monroe doctrine,
and our right title and interest in the island of
Cuba. 1t is long speech, but it is a strong
speech, and clearly, we think, wipes out the ac-
cusation against the distinguished Senator, of
being an old fogy." He stands boldly forth
among the youngest Of the dashing, decisive,
dread-naught school of " Young America" His
speech will be read with interest by all parties
in this country; and from the Senator's trans
atlantic and diplomatic reputation, as well as
from his high position in the dominant party
of the United States. it will doubtless create
something Of sensation among the political
circles of st. Cloud and st. James.
Gen. Cass sets out with an earnest appeal for
the reafirmation of the Monroe doctrine which
comprehends, not only the principle of resist
ance to all future attempts by the powers of
Europe in the work Of colonizing the yet
appropriated territory of this continent. but
also resistance to their interference in
the domestic concerns of the independent
States of at least the Northern division of this
hemisphere. And this second branch of the
the Monroe doctrine from being far more COM
prehensive and explicit in its practical applica-
ton to foreign aggressions in the affairs of our
neighbors, is of far higher Importance than the
first. Its reafirmation would call at once for
the total abrogation of the Clayton and Bulwer
treaty. and an absolute interdict against any
further interference, on the part of England, di-
recly OF indirectly, or singly or conformity, in
the local concerns of the independent States of
Central America and Mexico. 1t would demand
prompt inquiry as to the meaning and intent
of the recent movements of certain French mill
tary adventures in the Mexican States of So
nora and Chihuahua 1t would exclude us from
any alliance with any European power in be-
half of the opening. by ship canals. of the
isthmus passages Of Central America or Mexico;
for the doctrine II once adopted must not only
exclude the powers of Europe from informed
ding on their own account, but it must neces-
sarily debar us from taking them into any CO
partnership which will admit their influence or
their right to any political alliance on the soil
of this continent whatsoever
Such is our Interpretation Of the length and
breadth of the non-intervention doctrine of
Monroe; and such, we take it, il the true intent
and import of the resolution. and the re-
marks of Gen. Cass on this subject Is it wise.
is it opportune. is it expedient to take. at this
crisis a step so comprehensive and decisive
against foreign Intervention? Without the slight
est disposition rasby to answer we think the
time has arrived for the declaration. We have
arrived at that point where we can stand still no
longer. We must advance or fall back; and the
sentiment of the whole country and the spirit
of the age. alike suggest that the Monroe de-
caration be practically reafirmed
But the most interesting as well as the most
diversified and elaborate portion Of this speech
of Gen. Cass, applies to the island of Cuba our
natural and political relations with that island
and to the late overtures from England and
France for tripartite pledge against appro-
prating it for all time to come. on the part
severally and jointly. Of England. France and
the United States. The view which General
Cass takes OF these remarkable oyertures
is ut once striking and sagacious. He
assumes that the proposition was made no
doubt, with a full conviction that our govern
ment would decline il; but that, having de-
clined IL, we must regard it az warning that
France and England, at least, are pledged
Al
light innumerable difficulties suggest them
felves in regard to any plan which General
Pierce may think fit to adopt for the peaceable
purchase Of Cuba. The Spanish debt to Eng
land, the crippled condition Of Spain, and the
ambition Of Louis Napoleon, rise up 10 conffon,