Washington sentinel., 1855-04-03
WAsHrYcroY Cry, March IL, 1922


My DEAR SIR One Of the most important
measures ever determined on by our cabinet
was adopted on Friday last. The President on
that day recommended to Congress the recog.
milton of the independence Of the Spanish colo
nies. There will, no doubt, be majority ol
both houses in favor Of the measure. 1t is
impossible TO conjecture the result: important
changes in our relations with foreign nations
will unquestionably be produced. Don An
duaga, the Spanish minister, is preparing q
protest, and the whole diplomatic corps are in
commotion. Timid politicians are alarmed al
the consequences Of war with Spain they
apprehend that England may become party
and that our commerce may be DESTROYED
The fears thus expressed are libel upon our
national character; and those who would ad-
NIT them for even moment are unworthy oil
the confidence Of free and gallant people
But ordinary men (and many Of our politicians
are now of that description cannot look be-
yond the most obvious fact they are incapa-
BILE of viewing a measure in all its various re-
lations, and of tracing principles to their re-
mote consequences. Fear, which they call
caution, governs them in ill their determine
tions but caution is the vice Of decrepitude.
and should never be admitted into the councils
Of young and rising republic. Where there
are courage and ability there will always be
the requisite prudence. The policy of this ma.
ton is an obvious one. We should march on
with steady pace, regardless Of the buster
or caprice of other governments. The rights
of all nations should be respected, and no
measure be adopted which is not based upon
honor and good faith. If such be our course,
we shall have nought to fear from the com.
bined nations Of Europe for, should they
unite against us, they will find that the more
we are pressed the greater we shall become /;
and, like man of great abilities, the greater
the difficulties which surround us the higher
the stimulus, and consequently the greater our
efforts. The European governments are aware
of our immense resources, both physical and
moral, and well know that they will all be put
in requisition whenever the occasion shall re
quire.
To an individual not connected with politics
this city presents, at this moment, most inter-
esting field for speculation. do not allude to
the vile scramble for the next presidency now
going on, nor to the petty intrigues for place
under the present administration; but to the
many important questions connected with our
constitutional system, which are now being dis
cussed in the political circles, in the Supreme
Court, and in Congress; and on the proper
settlement Of which, perhaps, depends the sta
bility OF the Union, as well ms our future ma
tional character Some writer, whose name I
have forgotten, has attributed most Of the mis-
understandings and difficulties among men to
an incorrect use Of terms. The scenes enact
ing here have made me almost convert to that
opinion. The questions Of State sovereignty
and national sovereignty, or Siate-rights and
national rights, for instance, which furnish the
conversation of half the politicians assembled
here, appear to be used by both parties without
any definite or appropriate ideaj and not un.