Litchfield enquirer., 1858-12-16


 Possess and share my heart"
 PARROT.
 For the Litchfeld Enquirer.
 DEBATE IN SOUTH FARMS LYCEUM. An interesting discussion was held in the Centre School House, on Tuesday evening. Nov. 30th, on the following subject :--" Resolred That in view of the manifest intapacity of Mexico and Central Amer lea to maintain stable Government it has become the duty of the United States to interfere, far as it may be necessary to to their inhabitants the protection of Law and Order" The meeting was called to order by Roln Harrison, Chairman who selected to sit with him as Judges, George F. Skill ton and Henry Miner
 The debate was opened on the affirmative by Wm B. Ames who contended that it would be wise pol icy in Government to interfere by force of arms. If nothing else will answer) and break up and put down the complicated msrule confusion and disor- der that nave long distracted these sections of country He argued that it has become the imperi- oas d,ay of our Government to extend to them sub stantial aid, for many reasons. First-In sympathy for the people. They down-trodden race-ig nerant and ndsuperstitious easily led and swayed by their leaders but the better portion of them are heartily sick of with all its attendant evils and strongly desirous of peace Second-1t is incrm- bent upon us because of our proximity. They are our neighbors. We can more easily aid them than any other nation, and will more likely reap the ben efts therefrom. Thirdly-We should do so, be- cause of the vast benefit that would thereby accrue to the world in developing those immensely rich resources industry and trade that now lie dormant IT,. worked as formerly! How rich the soil How mild the climate! It would seem that almost every in- ducement held out for to interfere and delv- CT them from anarchy and misrule. Even English stockholders and Yankee enterprise call loudly for American interference.
 He energetic and somewhat eloquent in his remarks, and was followed by
 e. H. Miner, the part of the negative, who took and sustained the ground firmly, that the United States, government, ought not to interfere for many very weighty reasons, of which, are: First Fer the sake of, and in honor of Christianity. It would be unchristan in to force ourselves upon them by powder, fire and sword, and slay and sub due them at the point of the bayonet. They have never sought our aid, and tis true they will never accept of it, only through forcible measures. The Bible particularly the New Testament portion, is strongly against andhow strong are the curses, woes and anathemas pronounced against those who engage therein alludes to Davids prayer "to scat ter them that be for war ;' and how mean and con- temptible will we appear in the eyes of Christian world by war of aggression on weak and defence less neighbor. Second-We should desst for the sake of morality. The moral law forbds it, and the golden rule of Doing unto others, &c., prohibits it. We should set before them a better example, we should inculcate better principles. If we so philanthropic as our opponents would make it ap pear let send out missionaries and teachers, and establish schools and inculcae principles of Christi ianity, thereby aiding, but not interfering in estab fishing better state of society. Thirdly-National honor and integrity forbid interference The laws of neutrality between nations strictly adhered to prevent any nation interfering with another to model their laws, to dictate to them any form of government. They are to be left to the choice of their own rulers, and whatever form of government may best suit themselves. The speaker was somewhat lengthy and strictly to the point in all his remarks occasionally illus trating his arguments by afew appropriate anecdotes He was followed by
  alluded to the condition of the country perplexed and continually harassed by intestine broils and party military organizations The people are igno rant and degraded, under the crushing power of Ro man Catholicism; and although they may be averse to nnow, yet it would seem to be the duty of our government to interfere and take them under our protection thereby establishing peace and order and eventually bringing about permanent good to the inhabitants of the country, and lasting benefit to all oencerned spoke of the treatment the Chinese received at the haads of the English and of the im mense good resulting therefrom-thInks it a paral- Tel concludes that they have tried long enough 10 establish some form of government upon more hrm basis thinks it high time that something be done even travellers not safe in passing through those countries. Perhaps little wholesome advice would be sufficient and if need be, inculcate reform by introducing missionaries and teachers establish. ing schools, Sc. We should look to their future good more than present benefit Was aware that the laws of nations forbid piracy on the seas, but concluded that it had no force on land was some- what astounded to hear so many curses and woes pronounced against the afirmative-thought they would still be able to survive it.
 The speaker was candid and lucid in his remarks, though not strictly to the point in all instances He was followed by
 S w. s. Skilton, on the negative, who in the com mencement alluded to the laws of neutrality be- tween all civilized nations forbdding any nterfer- ence for political purposes and in the case of Mexico 5 sg.. |