The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-03
NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1856

II letter from Mr. Jefferson to Mr.. Monroe, dated
October %, le25, by which IL appears that the
president had muIicated to the retired patriarch
his mprePsons and probably his intentions, IN rela
ton to this whole subject, which met a. We have
seen, the most cordial Appreciation, and have no
doubt that similar corresJ ondence with IKE ap.
prevail took place with Mr.. Madison 1t l. Obvious That
course involving such important principles, and
fiaught, it might lie. with startling consequences,
must have been time under the ,nslderat on OF
cautious statesman like Mr. Monroe before 1t co1ld
assume shape proper to be submitted for the opinion
OF Mr. jefferson II is clearly impossible that the
suggestion of Mr. Canning could have led to the es-
tabis hment OF this doctrine or to its pronunciation
Why, tir, it Is well known historical iact inas
when then the message OF Mr.. M nrOe ielch-
| ed Europe, 1t excited great sensation among
the politicians, and nowhere q greater one than
in England. Mr.. Canning had proposed to Mr.;
against the extension of the schemes OF the Holy
] Alliance to the Spanish American States and
| promised the cooperation Of England. The
Monroe was about to submit his doctrine n Congress
He accepted the sugRest ton Of Mr.. Canning ~ to
the particular case which all the British govern
wanted but = hs also MS action
should. guide the country thereafter Now,
| sir, Mr.. Canning did not partake OF the mistake
! which prevails here He saw that the special
inteipofiton was temporary, but that the doctrine
| itself was perpetual. / am informed by one who
knows that no man in Europe was more surprised
! than Was Mr.. Canning when he found that the
American government had gone 50 Tar beyond IN. mis-
dsy that the point is perfectly understood IN Eng
laBd-for Lord Clarendon, in his statement said TO
Mr.. Buchanan, but the other day, that the anti
the dctnm Of the distinguished person who declared
il but her Majesty's government cannot admit that
doctrine as an international axiom which ought to
regulate the conduct Of European States" Here is
attempt to avoid the principle, nor is there any
| in the answer Of Mr.. Buchanan, who frankly avows
bis adhesion to the "dictum )" and adds, with true
American spirit, that il the occasion required, ne
would cheerfully undertake the task OF jastiying
the Yisdop and sound policy OF the Monroe doctyias
in reference 10 the nations Of Europe, as well as
those Of the American continent" I wish our able
Minister had been called upon to do this work: de
would have done it well and conciusively, and 10
manner which, doubt not, would have been salts
factory to his c0nntrymen IL not to European polis-
clans, and which might have slenced objections at
home.
measure to himself, to which he had just claim.
Let him not have the merit Of another to which he
| advanced no pietensons. lie SAID IN quite q g. an-
diloqrent vein, in the British House OF Commons
| that he had called the Spanish American republics
| into being and his words fell with proud assent
| upon English ears. But, sir, the boast had no
foundation. At the very time he uttered it, those
republics had achieved Their own indepenaence' ana
that independence had been formallyacknowledged
by the United States. think am correct in the
| statement Of this fact.
nj IL. N,
! Mr. CAST believe, sir, that TO MI. Clay, more
than to any other statesman, American or Euro
pean was due the entrance Of those States into the
family Of nations.
But after all, sir, this inquiry into the origin Of
the Monroe doctrine has but o speculative interest.
10 adopt al expression familiar to the ears OF Sena.
tors it is well to vindcate the truth o. history,
els Atlantic principle does not now derN s strength
frem it's origin or it's author. 1t rests upon surer
foundaton-upon the cordial concurrence OF the
l. Jrp< I'D Hn hrNQd hQn
upon the chart Of their policy. One motive with
sIme Of u.s. peibaps with msBy of US In the Senate,
for supporting the Clayton Bulwer treaty was that
if carried out il good faith it. would peaceanly 40
the work Of the Monroe doctrine and free an impor
! talt portion of continent from european il err
ference. That it has so far signally failed is no
tault on our side Whether it is to be triumph as
well as fault on the other, will dereid on the firm
ness and self respect which may direct and accom-
| pany our course. ] am well aware that during the
| Premiership of Lord Palmerst0D, an alnicable ar
alreeably to its obvious import and the avowed
object Of the parties, is an event hardly to be
hoped fo,. have nothing to say Of that
distirg uished English statesmen incompatible with
his own high position his high place, where cir.
tances have given to his views, to his tempera
n ent perhaps, an importance RAJ ely attached to a
public man ont Of his own country But he is not
only the official head Of the British administration,
he Is also It's guiding spirit and his probable
is no matter of Indifference to the people Of the
United States. Some time since, sir, in this cham
ber took occasion to say that Of all the active pub
lie men Of England ! considered Lord Palmerston
the most nniiendly to our country and that his ex-
ertions would never tie wanted in any effort to OPP
| pose uf. This opinion received with some sur
prise and good deal of incredibly; but believe
his sentiments are now pretty well understood here
and n0thii favorable is expected from him. Sir, he
undoubtedly nourishes the strongest prejudice
againtt our institutions our progress and our pros
poets, and there is hardly well Informed American
returning from Europe who will not confirm this
representation. His observation to Mr.. Castellon,
the Ncsrauguan Minister, is indicative, not only OF
his sentiments towards but Of his estimate Of
fimness. He said I'VE have been disposed to
treat the United States with some degree Of cor
sdeTation but in reference to this question it Is
matter Of total indifference to her Majestys govern
~, this, to Jour national pride. His lordship may
| Yet be disappointed.
And believe now, sir, that these dinicultio
could be adjusted by an honest Interpretation
Icing put upon this convention, within one month
| after the accession of liberal statesman to the
station now held by Lord Palmerston. Till that
event takes place it Will be the dictate Of true
| wisdom not to anticipate though we will still hope
for, on amicable arrangement, but to take counsel
! from the duty we owe to ourselves. The treaty,
from its commencement, has been set at naughtupon
| the most Himsy pretext. II is evident that Lord
Clarendon has adopted the views and participates in
the feelings Of Lord Palmerston upon this whole sub
ect also that the pretensions they have advanced
how they to be abandoned without self stuti
fcation by those who have thus far so strenuourly
maintain ed them The attempt to torture language
to the accommodation Of preconceiyed purposes was
any one compare the able and frank opinion
| Of Mr. johnson, who was Attorney Cen
eral when this treaty was negotiated, with
| the opinion given by the Queens Advocate,
the law officer OF the British government in its COM
munication with other Powers, and he cannot but
be struck with the contrast. Before sit down l
shall ask to have Mr. Johnsons opinion read at the
| Clerks table. 1t Is entitled to high commentator
! for its clearness and ability. And am happy to
have this opportunity Of tesiifyng my respect and
regard fer that able and accomplished gentleman
| and what savs The Queens Advocate, that high
| legal counsellor? Why, that the treaty provides
that neither party shall occupy or fortify, or colo
nize, or assume exercise any dominion over Cen
trail America, yet that either party may at it's plea
sue, send feet or army into any part of that yast
region, If il abstaiDs from occupying or fortfyng
or assuming OR exercising dominion fhernin NnIv