Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-03-06
FOREIGN POL,ICY

With country so situated and circumstanced as
the u States, the most momentous matters of domes.
tic scarcely superior either in importance
or decacy oi consideration. to those relating to it's
foreign policy In fact, with every people, endued
with the elements Of enterprise and with every gov
ernment invested with expansive energy and prnci'
Piles OF progress their intercourse aud relations with
foreign powers serve materially to determine their
contentment and quie,ude at home, aud their intu-
ence and respecability abroad. And with the United
States it is particularly true that our domestic and
foreign policies are becoming more and more closely
connected, mutually dependent and reciprocally rela
ted, with each succeeding year. What the geogra-
phical loreshadowed, the political position Of this
country is rapidly realizing and ripenDg into matu.
rity An otfshoot from the old world, transplanied
thence to the nav, the Young Americas genealogc
tree, though dated with Of the gnared and knot
ted marks that tell Of ancestors almost old time
ITSELF and of trials and troubles that live only in ie
gends and traditions, already embraces under its
broad branches, empire, expansive and still e1-
panding, which even now eIctes the wonder and aws
of kings and courts, and elicts the homage Of
admiripg millions of every country and in every
cline, who have aspirations for FULL development Of
the destiny Of man, hs dues to himself to his fellow
beings and to his God and who see in the
structure of our government social organiza.
ton embojying at once, every element OF lib
erty every incentive to energy, every Industrial
and educational advantage, every acknowledge
meut of mans equality with man. And hence it is,
that the egis OF Our institutions extending over new
nations and States and territories in accordance with
the same unvaryipg edicts of nature and natures
God which have ever impeled us from the earliest
infancy of the Republic, must ultimately make us
omnpotent among the nations of the earth, provided
disposition to reckless adventure is not COMPOUNDED
with the true spirit of progress and tbereupon arise
the delicate difficulties and dangers attendant
upon an administration OF foreign rela
tons, especially when the subject of negota.
ton is Of such character that it must iu-
svitaby affect indirectly or directly, either the in
terests or prejudices favorsbly or unfav ora.
bly,, Justly or unjustIy, of other powers than that
under the agency of immediate intercourse with
our own government. But there are other and indeed
many more points OF policy with other nations, than
those pertaining to the acquisition of territory the
recognition of new governments or the alliance and
INCORPORATION OF those that have been unequvocaly
established, which oen eVoVe tne most INTRICATE dnu
embarrassing relations between this country and
Others, and often demand the most delicate dplo-
macy, the most imperturbabe temper, the most en-.
larged understanding aud iuaexible purpose to avoid
compromising either the interests honor Of the
nation.
1t is impossible, in truth to prescribe programme
of policy for our relations will foreign powers
and to adhere to it strictly without 10 some
instances doing violence 10 the comfy OF nations or
infringing upon the rights of others at the sacrifice
of our own ssfreipect and reputation for fairness
aud generosity, except, indeed, that it may before
snsdowed as tmid, cemporzing, contracted and con.
servative even unto fogysm or bold, dashng, dccl'
ded and liberal, according to the anlecedents and
character of the leading members OF the admnst.a'
tion The foreign policy Of people may be lnarEed
in the main with peculiar principles ana characers'
tics; but it must be determined in detail by the emer-
genciss as they arse. The administration that has
iust come 10 Close conducted the foreign afars OF
tbs government, with dignity and decorum and salts
faction to the country. The administration to he H.
aueurated to day, will, we are inclined 20 hei!eVe,
pursue policy more prompt ard yosiiive and per-
baps more enlarged lhaa that Of its immediate pre-
decessor. Tho one has elected appreciation, the
other will command applause and admiration.