Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-21
C0narassi0naI.
THIRTY-THIRQ CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION.
senate.-Tuesday, February 20. 1881.

senate.-Tuesday, February 20, 1888.
Mr.. CASS 1--WE copy from the Daily Globe Of
yesterday aftsrnoon) made his promised speech
IN vindcation OF the warning which, during the
last session, he gave OF the designs OF allied France
and England to resort 10 a coercive interposilion
IN American affairs. The editor of the New York
Courier and Enquirer, having had recent inter.
course with British statesman, has given an au-
thoriiatlve denial OF the accuracy OF the conclu-
sions which Mr.. CAss drew from Lord Claren-
don's language, and vndicalion of positions on
point OF such importance, which were believed
to be impregnable, the Senator from Michigan
deemed IL his duty 10 make 10 the Senate.
The language uttered by Lord Clarendon in the
British House of Lords, upon which Mr.. CAss
commented year ago. conveyed 10 the assembled
Peers The assurance that the union of the Govern
ments of France and England was not confined to
the eastern question, but that the habit Of good
Understanding between them had become general
on all matters of policy and extended TO all parts
Of the world. The statement was clearly made,
that, on the question of policy, there no part
of the world, in either hemisphere, with regard TO
which England and France were not entirely in
accord. Mr. CAss said he thought there was no
misunderstanding such an annunciation. Ii the
foreign relations Of other countries, in both hem
ispheres, were not contemplated, he thought the
speaker was unfortunate in the language he en-
ployed. A prominent New York Journal coin
cded with him in The view taken of il in an article
in which il said 10 be general threat of armed
intervention, and an avowal of the purpose 10 en-
force the views of France and England by armed
attack upon any independent nation which should
decline TO accept her dual dictatorship. or such
purpose, as Senator, he had believed il TO be
his duty TO warn his countrymen, that their atten-
ton might be directed 10 an avowal of course
of policy which threatened 10 affect deeply our
interests and our honor
As Lord Clarendon's vindicator had dsavowed
such construction, Mr.. CAss fought elsewhere
n N I'M at hA UOp N Ierx ppdIn
which now exists between the Allies. On the
26th Of December last, the Fren Emperor, in his
address TO the Legislative Chambers, asked, what
frmer bonds could there be than those bearing the
names Of victories belonging to the two armies,
recalling comm IN glory than the same hopes
and the same anxieties agitaling both countries
than the same views and the same intentions
anmaing the two Governments in every corner
of the globe. SIR toas les points du globe, were
the comprehensive words. This language is iden-
tica in its meaning with that employed by Lord
clarendon; it was used at the first legislative
conversation after the British Secretary Of State
had publicly proclaimed the same sentiment and
il was significant fact, that the Emperors adj
dress must have been under consideration at the
time when he was in daily intercourse with Lord
Palmerston, then on visit to Paris, who does not
conceal his aversion TO this country. Another
pregnant fact, ALSO presents ITSELF that the En-
peror thus spoke after the effect produced here by
Lord Clarendons repression of the views Of the
British Cabinet, and alter il was known that they
were believed 10 be intended as words of warning
and threat.
= The American Interpretation was sustained by
its consonance with that ofthe statesmen of Spain,
expounded through the columns Of the Havana
Diario Ia Marina. in which il is proclaimed that
the accord OF the two great Powers implies the
adoption Of political system based on general
principles, the first evidence of which consists in
the pending contest with Russia, which, however,
is said, not to be isolated fact, but 10 sup
port justice, establish the principles OF interna-
iional law, and 10 maintain the just balance Of
power. II is represented TO be war which sane
tons the progress OF modern clvilzation and which
will have 10 be renewed whenever its fundamen.
tai maxims shall appear 10 be In danger of being
overturned. In this the Spanish organ says there
is no threat for whoever willing 10 respect the
conservative principles, the practice oil which re-
bounds 10 universal advantage; but 10 the advo-
Gates of the celebrated Monroe doctrine, accord
ing 10 their last and elastic interpretations, and 10
those who m a different scene would wish 10 imi-
tate the conduct of Russia, and appropriate the
whole continent without obstacle, no doubt Is en-
tertained that the European system will be exceed
ingly disagreeable.
This authoritative annunciaion by those two
great governments, Mr.. CAss thought was de-
signed 10 divert the United States from some
scheme of aggrandzement which they imagined
was here entertained. The progress Of our coun-
try and the success of our political institutions
the Old World who see the danger of our ex-
ample, and an American balance Of power has
been seriously contemplated. A few years since,
in commenting upon President Folks declaration
concerning the exclusion of European inierven-
ton from the continent, M. Guizot, in the French
Chamber of Deputies, preached the plan of an
American balance of power TO be preserved
when necessary by the Intervention Of the gov
ernments of Europe. He deemed il advisable 10
multiply in America the number of independent
States, which the finger of France or England
might elevate or depress AT pleasure, and the an
nexation of Texas was opposed because il was
hostile TO the contemplated policy. Here, again
the policy is avowed, the world is the extensive
theater Of its operation, and we should promply
examine our true position, which is menaced by a
new combination, and threatened by new treaty
of Pilnitz TO control our destiny.
He examined the condition Of European States
and the South American Republics, 10 establish
the position that these United States are specially
the object contemplated IN the combination, that
they are 10 be excluded from exercising legit-
mate influence on the continent where they are the
great power, and that the design is entertained 10
clrcumscribe their power and extent. He said il
would be found that these European Powers have
acted in concert in opposition 10 every measure Of
our foreign policy which could excite their jeal-
ousy. They seem 10 have followed us over the
world, watching, counteracting, and opposing,
from the loading Of a cargo Of guano 10 the acqui
sition OF kingdom. At the Sandwich Islands
their influence has been in constant operation; in
Dominica they tracked us, and frustrated a very
reasonable arrangement, simply because il was
distasteful TO the two great American Regulators
and at the Galapagos Islands interest far more
reasonable than any views Of acquisition, were
struck down. IL 10 certainly an extraordinary
fact that, in the whole Antilles, so us, where
our vessels are daily passing with their rich
freights and their numerous passengers, we have
MT even so much as anchorage Sixteen OF
those islands belong to great Britain, three 10
France, two TO Holland, Two TO Spain, three TO
Denmark, and one to Sweden, while one is inde-
pendent, but divided into two Governments; and
be supposed IL we should attempt TO procure even
a coal depot among those islands, forming the door
through which the commerce Of this vast country,
drained by the Mississippi and It's tributaries, and
also that Of West Florida, Alabama, and Texas,
passes, we should receive an imperial and royal
rescripf forbddng US TO hold IL. Blu, he thought
the time had come when we should tell those
Powers that we understand our own INTERESTS in
The Gulf of nexico and in the Caribbean Sea, and
that, with Gods blessing, we will maintain them.
He spoke Of the policy pursued by France and
England towards Cuba, and the steps taken to
maintain European intervention. He enumerated
the ships Of war sent for the protection Of that