Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-06-09
The RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE o, 1857
EUROPEAN INTERVENTION IN AMERICAN
MATTERS.
BY RITCHIE & nUSSAysST,

MATTERS.
It's as natural that the institutions Of the United
States and especially OF the South should extend tc-
wards CUBA, Central America aud Mexico, as that
trees anu plants in process of growth should have
their petals and branches biased by the light towards
which they turn. And it is the policy of our gov
ernment, not to foist upon the inhabitants of thoss
interesting countries those elements and that formu
la OF liberty, without the aid Of which they new.
attain that political prosperity and power, only
dreamed OF in their confused efforts to establish
during republics but while impatiently, yet justly
and wisely awaiting the natural development of in
evitabe eVents to permit eItraneous influence to
be e1erted to avert them-no otfcious interference
of European powers in the affairs of the American
continent. This is the broad basis upon which that
feature of our foreign policy which relates to the eX
panson of our area, and the protection Of our ins'l
tutions is obliged 10 be- admitted, unless history is 10
be contradicted, grave declarations recauted and the
glorious mission of our country denied aud abused.
And unless it is conceded by Spain and France and
England, that in the exercise of such authority OH
the part of our government there is nothing unna.
tura unreasonable wrong, we are inclined 10
the opinion that the day ia not distant, when there
will be serious dsputaon, il not actual hostility
between this and one or more Of those nations to
which We have alluded.
The conflicting aud equvocnl constructions of the
Clayton. Buwer treaty, and the rejection of its Da
las Clarendon substitute are far from indicating. on
the par, Of Great Britain, willing scquiescencs in
the great Am.rican Monroe doctrine 1t has a!so
been currently rumored, that New Grenada had re-
Gently ceded an island to the British Government.
We are however pleased to perceive that the reprs-
sentaton is officially contradicted by her Britannia
Msiesty's Minister at Washington.
But apart from any immediate difficulty, arising
from further attempts British colonization on this
continent ,h4re is an interesting question as to the
disposition OF England and France in relation TO an
interference in favor of the claims of Spain upon
Cuba, shoui invasion or revolt threaten to trans
fer that island to the guardianship OF the United
States And again. in this, there is no cause for e1-
ctement at present Cuba s quiet, and hllibuaterlng
ia not in such high favor as to render probabe that
the "gem OF the Antilles will be disturbed by armed
adven,urers very soon. But there is evidence In
another direction of movement immediately lnvolv-
ing the ryh, We have asserted; and in which, if it he
true, both Fance and England are about to unite
with Spain dispute or deity the policy OF our coun'
try in refusing to acknowledge that authority OF Euro
pean powers in American affairs, which exercises an
influence hostile to the interests of the United States
We alude lo the anticipated attack OF Spain upon
Mexico. Itis ntmated, and with such degree of an
thentcity as to demand consideration that The three
powers aboy e. mentioned have probably entered into
an agreement to rensate Santa Anna in authority In
Mexico In the Gulf, aud especially in 'he vicinity
Of Vera Cruz there is quite number OF bngi'h ana
French men.of war and military and haVa'
forces are soon to be collected at CUBS. IL II
said that Comoufort is advised OF the Impending
danger, and that be is preparing TO meet IT, lhe
! Mexican Republic, a. every body ls aware Is III
most deplo-able condition. divided, distracted ana
imnov.risbed And il is doubtless with view to the
downfall Of irs liberal institutions and the erection OF
monarchy in their stead. that France and England
If the suspicion be well founded entered
into an alliance with Spain TO suppant the PRESIDENT
and place in power that cunning old tyrant ana t?al-
tor who has always been curse to his country. The
or.stion sdses, whether the Government of the
United States should permit such m outrage 10 be
perpetrated within its reach. We will not now expa'
tste upou tho evils which it would foreshadoW, Tor
h, country to slaud sloo indifferent spectator OF
such sceae. And We have too much confidence III
tbs snrit the resoutene.s, patriotism and American
lam of the Administration in power to entertain +
doubt, that in the event OF such an attempt, on he
mart of those European nations to install Santa Anna
in Mexico, this country would intervene and, if ne
cessary, with sword unshesih.d.