Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-12-15
6ht Npnhhtan
THE MoRTARA AFFAIR.

ever ready "to strain at gnat and swal-
low a camel" are endeavoring to create a
sensation respecting the recent abduction
Of a Jewish child by the authorities of Ba.
logna, and the subsequent refcsal of the
Pope to interfere in the matter and have
it restored to its parents This compara-
lively trinng affair, for it is trifling when
compared with those atrocities of daily
occurrence in the countries in which ig
norance and religious bigotry Danish law
and blunt every feeling of humanity, is
swollen to an enormous outrage and our
government is implored and petitioncd to
interfere and cause justice to be done be-
tween the respective claimants of the
child. The Jews Of Philadelphia recently
took cognizancc Of this matter and implor
ed President Buchanan for some expires
sion on the subject, by which the moral
weight of the United States might be felt
in the controversy in other words solicis
ted our government to espousc this net by
some expression of condemnation, and TO
become a peace maker in the domestic
broils Of other countries. TO this applica-
ton for eXectiye interference Secretary
Cass replies in note in which the reasons
for non-interierancc are so plainly laid
down that We give the extract.
"This occurrence took place within the
territories Of an independent power, and
without affecting the rights of any Ameri-
can citizen. II is the settled policy If the
United States TO abstain from all intoIcr-
ence in the internal concerns Of other
countries.
Certainly there is nothing in the civ
.cumstances of this case, as they are report
cd, which would impose this reserve up.
on the government. But it is deemed
proper to adhere to the established min-
ciple which has heretofore regulated its
conduct in its intercourse with other ma
tons.
am, sir, your obedicnt servant.
LEWIS CAs7.
This letter addressed to Abraham Hart
President Of the synagogue Of portugese
Jews in Philadelphia, simply and respect
fully repeats what not only every jew but
every gentle including publihcan and sin
.ners in this country should know, 'tlIat il,
is the settl d policy Of the United States
to abstain from all interference the
internal concerns Of other countries,
However much it may dCprecate the
barbarism that daily maniic,ts itself a.
mong the superstitious nations of the
globe-However much as citizens we may
lament the ignorance that imprls the
blind votaty of any religion to commit It
wrong-Howeyer revolving to lis rs civ.
ilized people may be those crueties infict.
ed by despots upon their subjects, s,-How.
ever tyranieal may be the mandates that
disturb the domestic tranquility of other
countries-it has never been, and we sim
cerely hope never may be, part of our
foreign policy to interfere in the family
fights of other nations, Our county.
though defender of the oppressed when
within the legitimate sphere of its inhu-
ence, is not the especial eSpouser of every
petty quarrel that may arise in Europe
Uncle Sam treats the subjects of other
countries as a schoolmaster does his pu-
pills, instructs and corrects them, while
with him, but after they have got home
permits them without any interference to
be instructed and regulated by their pa
rents. His protection is not so elastic as
to strech to Italy and make war on the
Pope, because some devout subjects in a
remote part of his kingdom steals old Mrs
Mortara's baby. Buchanan is too much
Of Il bachelor to entertain any peculiar
veneration for babies, and has wisely con-
cluded to let every country take care of
its own. We would indeed have a pretty
time did our government. consider itself
bound to pitch into all their family fights,
and become the guardian of Babydom all
over the world, And yet for not doing so
vials of bitter Indignation are poured on
the head of the administration and the
country counselled to rcproach its rulers
because they will not declare war against
some petty potentate of Europe who res
fuses to restore to mother her lost off
spring That foreign policy would indeed
be brilliant one, thatwould scourge a ma
ton because some irratqble old woman in
France or Italy punished disobe-
dent boy and drove him from the
paternal roof, and no less bright would be
that recommended 10y our opposition
friehds-the interference of our govern
ment to restore a child which some igno-
rant and superstitious Bologonians have
stolen from its parents. We commend
the humanity that prompts the suggestion,
but we think the policy so earnestly adyo-
Gated by our friends is better adapted to
nurseries than to Republics.