The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-30
Champion of Freedom.

world into existence" my last letter was
closed with Clay's April g. 1890. resolution.
House passed, TO authorize the President
Ito send ministers to any Of the govern
ments of South America which have es-
tablished and are maintaining their in
dependence" 1t wiz now be shown it
led to the Presidents recommending and
the Congress recognizing their independ-
ence in 1872. which was two years before
Great Britain in 1924. first recognized any
South American state.
President Monroe, IL is said, started out
to get credit for Clays many years Of
brilliant effort for South American free
dom. Monroes greatness would forbid
such imputation. except for the fact, au-
thenticated by substantial proof. that
Clay signalized himself in Congress, and
out, by his opposition TO Monroes dila-
tory policy, and 1t seems quite as clear
that Monroe always put obstacles in the
way Of Clay in getting Congress to rec
ognize South American independence
Even in the carrying of Clay's resolution.
II was understood it was against the
wishes and the influence of Monroe. Clay
seemed 20 recognize this when saying in
support of his resolution: with regard
20 the form of this proposition. all he
wants was TO obtain an expression Of
the opinion Of the House on the subject 80
The House. too. seemed anxious 10 add
10 Clay's triumph. for IL put on him
the unusual course Of heading a special
committee 70 wait on the President with
a copy Of the resolution, as a method 20
h~fs4
notice OF the Executive instead OF the
usual way of transmission Of a certified
copy by official messenger.
Clay has triumphed at last Il was a
parliamentary success. It was a grand
moral effect The Anglo-Saxon republic
recognized Latin-American republics-re-
publics recognizing republics, an epoch
in history. The colonies We're on new
footing Europe looked on through DIFF
ferent eyes and began TO adjust her at
fairs 10 new order Of things. Great
Britain took the lead. claimed credit for
South American freedom. and profted in
her enjoyment Of the advantages Of their
rich commerce built up by her wisdom
and diplomacy by operating upon their
hopes as well as SPANS. while the United
States by her neutrality bill OF unprece-
dentedly harsh features not only dis
satisfied them but lost us their confidence
Clay fOresaw such results and recoiling
effects. and made every effort TO eliminate
all harsh features OF Madison's neutrality
bill, as pointed out in my last paper. and
in a later speech supporting his resolu-
ton 70 recognize the independence Of
the United Provinces Of Rio de Ia Plata
he stood in towering strength and
showed the vast commercial advantage of
recognition. though with him IL was a
fight for principle, in which he rose
above the sordid influence OF commercial
consideration, treating II as Incidental,
and decried those acting through mis- eye
alone. in language as follows: There is
something so narrow. and selfish and
groveling. I'm his argument. something
so unworthy the magnanimity Of a great
and generous people, that confess I
have scarcely patience TO notice it."
On February TO- 1921. Clay offered. and
the House promptly passed. the following
resolution:
Resoised. That the House Of Representatives psr
iicpate with the people Of the United States in the
deep intcrt which they feel for the success q the
Spanish provinces Of South America which are
struggling 20 establish their liberty
Resolved. That this House viii give its cons,itri-
tonal support 70 the President q the United States
wherever he may deem il expeient 70 recognize the
sovereignty and Independence Of any q said proT-
nces
There were but twelve votes against the
first resolution. and the second passed
81 to So
In such prompt action Of Congress. we
see revealed the voice OF the people which
Clay had attuned, and soon 10 bear fruit
in forcing the President 20 act.
This was Clay's last act in Congress.
for he resumed his law practice to re-
pair his private fortune. but he remains
true 70 his convictions for South Ameri-
can freedom. In the summer Of 1921, at
Lexington. in a speech TO his fellow-citi-
zens, dining him on his return. he said
that while the recognition Of the IN
dependent governments OF South America
had not reached a completely successful
issue, he was happy 10 tell them that
the popular branch Of the National LEXIS
lature, in last session Of Congress. has
proclaimed TO the world the sentiments
Of the American people for that recog-
milton. and it might have reasonably
hoped that the executive branch Of the
would not much longer delay
to conform to the known sentiments OF
the Union"
The Executive did not longer delay.
for. on March S, 1922. in special message
to Congress, he recommended South
American independence. and, on the 2Sth
following. the measure carried in the
House of Representatives with but one
dissenting vote. Thus Clay won as won
derful a victory for liberty as ever. per-
haps. due to one mans efforts. And thus
he looked at Spain and the Indies and
called a new world into existence
It was not until 1924 that Great Britain
first recognized a South American state.
10 keep on the best terms
with both Spain and her colonies in the
breaking down of the exclusive trade
between them. and the dissatisfaction and
want of confidence OF each in America in
her neutrality law but Great Britain did
nothing to promote the independence of
South America, and only recognized il to
Ter commercial ascendency with
the colonies.
Richard Rush, United States Minister
residing in London. well knew this. The
Holy Alliance replaced the Spanish King
upon his throne. contrary 10 the wishes
Of the masses of the Spanish people. Its
next step was 10 help Spain TO re-
authority over her South Amer
lean colonies. Great Britain would then
lose commercially and Lord Canning.
minister Of foreign affairs. approached
Mr.. Rush with the proposal that the two
governments should unite IN a declara-
ton protesting along certain lines against
the contemplated move OF the Holy Al
lance Rush agreed to unite In the
declaration on condition that Great Brit
ain would recognize the independence OF
South American colonies. Canning de-
clined to do this. fearing conflict with
the Holy Alliance" Rush wrote about
Il 70 his government: but as to
The independence Of the new states of
America for their own benefit. It seems
10 be quite another thing in her S.plo-
macy. This nation in it's collective cor