The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-07

II has been said here than and think though
am not certain tba, il said by Mr. Calhoun, that the
course Of action Of Mr. Monroe upoh this subject was the
result Of suggestion made by Mr. Canning ~ Mr. Kush
Thas rs another among the many errors which seem 70
have clustered around this whole matter II Is easy to
show this
As carly as July, ls2a Mr. Rush received from e De-
partment Of State depalch containing The Views OF the
President upon the Spanish American question: corre-
spending substantially with the ground subsequently
taken in the message They transmitted him not
Tor any immediate diplomatic action, but 10 pat him 10
possession Of the opinions OF the government as cfcum
stances might arise rendering ii necessary for BIN TO be
acquainted with them Mr. Rush, understand, had his
first conversation with Mr. Canning at the request Of the
ihier towards the end of August IN that year and his
Dispatches Announcing the result of that and OF other sube
qaent interviews did not reach Washington until about the
middle OF November just before the opening at Congress
matte episode Now have already read extract OF let
Ter from Mr. Jefferson TO Mr. Monroe dated October 23 1923
by which appears that the President had
TO the retired Patriarch his mpressons, and probably
his intentions in relation TO this whole subject which
met as we have seem the most cordial appreciation; and
have no doubt but that similar correspondence win
Ike approval took place with Mr. Madsons u is obvious
that involving such important principles and
augh might be- with startling consequences mns have
been some time under the consideration OF cautious
statesman like Mr. Monroe before ii could assume shape
proper 10 be submitted for the opinion OF Mr. Jefferson II
k clearly impossible that the suggestions OF Mr. Canning
could have led 10 the establishment of this doctrine 10
its PRONUNCIATION. Why, sir, ii is wellknown historical
fact that when the message OF Mr. Monroe reached Europe
II excited great sensation among the politicians and no.
proposed 10 Mr.. Rush that the United States should
take ground against the extension OF the schemes OF the
holy Alliance TO the Spanish American Siaes and prom
sed the cooperation Of England The propo iuon reached
here when have seen, Mr. Monroe about to sub
init his doctrine to Congress lie accepted the suggestion
of Mr. Canning the particular case which all the
British government wanted but he also accompanied his
action with declaration of the principles which he thought
should guide his country thereafter Now, sir Mr. Cam
ming did not parake OF the mistake which prevails here
He that the special nteposiiion temporary bat
that the doctrine itself was perpetual am informed by
who knows that in Europe more surprised
than was Mr Canning when be found that the American
government had gone far beyond his wishes and expec
ons And see sir TO this day that the point is per-
eety understood in England for Lord Clarendon, in his
statement said to Mr. Buchanan but the other day that the
ant-coonzation declaration of Mr. Monroe but the
dfu of the distinguished person who declared 1T but her
government cannot admit that doctrine AS an IN
ernatonal axiom which ought regulate the conduct OF
European States Here attempt TO avoid the Princi-
Pile is there any in the of Mr. Bnchanan who
frankly avows his adhesion to the "dctum, and adds,
with true American spirit that If the required
he would cheerfully undertake the task OF usying the
wisdom and sound policy of the Monroe doctrine in refer
to the nations of Europe, well as those OF the
American continent wish minister had been called
upon to do this work. He would have done it well and
concusively and in manner which, doubt not would
have been satisfactory to his If not 10 Euro
pean politicians, and which might have slenoed objections
at home
Mr. Canning sir arroga;ed the credi, Of one great
10 himself to which he had just clam. Let him
have the merit Of another which he advanced no
pre,ensions lie said in quite grandoquen vein, in the
American republics being and his words fell with
proud upon English But sir the bosst had
foundation AT the very time be alluded TO those re
publcs had achieved their Independence and were
beyond the reach OF Spanish resubagaon and that indie
pendence mad been formally acknowledged by the United
States think am correct in the statement OF tins
fact
| Mr. SUMNER, I'm his seatl 1t is so.
Mr. CASS. / believe sir that TO Mr. Clay, more than 10
any other statesman American or European 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 buta speculative interest To adopt
expression familiar TO the Of senator's tits well to
yndca6 the truth Of history" and vindcae II upon
this point but this great os-Auantc principle does not
derive its strength from its origin or its author
upon foundation upon the cordial concurrence
Of the American people and is destined TO bea broad line
upon the chart Of their policy One motive with some OF US
perhaps with many of usn the Senate for supporting the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty that carried out in good
faith 1t would peaccaby do the work OF the Monroe doc
trine and free important portion OF our continent from
European interference That IL has far sgnay failed
is fault side Whether IL is TO be triumph NJ
well a fault, the other win depend on the hrmness
aud selErespect which may direct and accompany our
course am well that during the premiership OF
Lord Palmerston amcable arrangement or rather a
fair dment OF the treaty, agreeahly TO m obvious i'm
port and the avowed object Of the parties an event
hardly to be hoped for have nothing 10 say OF that
distinguished English statesman, incompatible with his
high position this high place where circumstances
have given TO his views TO his temperament perhaps an
importance arey attached TO public man out OF his own
country Bot he is not only the official head Of the Brit
ish administration be is also its guiding spirit and bis
probable course rs matter OF ndinerencc 70 e people
o the United States Some time sizcc sir In this cham
Der took say that Of all ibe active public
men OF England considered Lord PamerSton the most
unfriendly country, and that his exertons would
be wanting Ia any effort 70 oppose US This opinion
received with surprise and gooa dead OF incred
uy but believe his sentiments pretty well un-
derstood here and nothing favorable expected from him
Sir he undoubtedly nonrsbes the strongest preludces
against our institutions progress, and our prospects
and there is hardly wellnformed American returning
from Europe who viii not confirm this representation
His observation Mr. Casellon the Nicaragnan minister
is indicative only his sentiments towards bat o
his estimate Of our hrnness lie said
owe have been disposed to treat the uhted States with
degree Of consideration but in reference u this
tion Of total indifference 70 her Maestys
ernment what she may ssy or do"
Very complimentary this 20 national pride. Ills
ordshp mar yet be disappointed From the bsgnning he
has been friend Of this treaty do believe II would
have formed had be directed ihe government at the
time and believe SIR that these difficulties would he
adjusted by honest Interpretation being pot upon this
convention within month after the accession OF o-
eral statesman the station held by Lord Palmston
Till that event takes place win b. the dictate Of rne
wisdom 10 anticipate though stl hope for an amt
cable arrangement but 10 take counsel from the day We
owe 10 ourselves The treaty from lis commencement has
been set at nsught upon the most himsy preetts
Ut evident that lord Clarendon has adopted he views
and participates in the feenEs OF Lord Pimerson upon
this whole subject aso that the preiensions they bare
advanced will he tenaciously adhered TO- For mysei DO
moi se how they are 10 he abandoned without sefsiuh
cation hy those who have thus far 90 strrnnonsy main
taned them The attempt 70 torture language 70 the &C
Of prcconceve purposes wss never more pal
nabe than In this case any compare the able and
frank opinion Of Mr. Johnsos, sho was our Attorney Gen
eral when this treaty was negotiated with .he opinion