The Washington herald., 1908-03-23

he appointed three commissioners 10 go
TO South America. TO ascertain AID re-
port the condition and political pros
perity OF the rebellious colonies. Then.
as now there had 10 be appropriations.
and the House appropriated 20 defray ex-
penses of such missions. Then, as now,
the House claimed it's power TO appro-
PIRATE was power 20 participate in adj
ministration In foreign concerns Of the
country Mr. Clay. than whom no
greater ever defended the point. saw his
opportunity when the bill to defray such
expenses came up for consideration in
the next Congress, and. the House being
in committee, March "A. 1918 he moved
TO amend the bill by adding:
And for one years salary and outfit
to a Minister TO the United Provinces OF
Rio de la Plata. the salary 10 commence.
and the outfit to be paid. whenever the
President shall deem it expedient 10
send Minister 10 the said United Prov
inees sum not exceeding $1,000"
such was his preparedness that when
ever an occasion arose he was ready to
use IL with profit to South American free
dom. This amendment was tantamount
10 recognition OF independence of those
provinces. and il furnished the Presi-
dent with money. instruments. and au-
thority TO act 1t was step in advance
Of the country. the government. the civ
iiized world, and Clay was alone in the
movement but by persuasive argument
and convincing logic. he brought many
friends TO his support He argued for
their independence showing their valid
claim for It. and asserted his deepest
interest and firm belief that there was no
question IN the foreign policy Of this
country, which had ever arisen. or which
he could conceive as ever occurring. in
the decision OF which we have had. or
can have, so much at stake, which con-
Germs our politics. our commerce. our
navigation" His amendment was under
debate many days. with bitter opposition.
and then defeated by a vote OF lis to Is
Congress party whipped result. Monroe
approving in his next annual message IN
the expression that the United States had
pursued the proper course IN neutrality,
to which ii would adhere under existing
conditions
A year passes before Clay again cham
pions the colonies in Congress Monroe.
IN annual message. ISIS abstained from
any expressions toward the provinces
which would be unWelcOme 10 Spain
Clay alluded 10 II in February. 1873. and
said that il had been his settled inten-
ton 70 renew the proposition he had sub
mitted at the last session. having for its
object the recognition Of the independence
OF the United Provinces of South Amer
lea. but he would have 10 restrain him
self for reasonS Of indisposition and.
more important, the small portion of the
session yet remaining TO transact the
public business. However, ne did not fail
10 appeal further. most eloquentlv for
1
ence-
In 1870 Clay opposed the 1873 Spanish
treaty TO purchase Florida and give up
Texas. not only because territory could
not be consttutionally ceded. but that the
price of sl5oo0.000 To 81. 10000 for Florida
was too much, and he offered a resoIu-
ton 10 defeat the treaty. and. In support
Of il. condemned he Presidents vacilIat-
ing policy in securing redress from Spain
for injuries suffered and in order 10
bring Spain to her senses, recommended
recognition OF Standardization indie
pendence, not only because il was right.
fraternal. and magnanimous. but polite.
The amendment was lost
The treaty unTatified by Spain. Monroe.
In annual message. 1873, viewed Spain as
acting In bad faith, and the Spanish
colonies in new light. and referred TO
f-t'AA bAfShtilo dlu cutttEs-
Thus, IL seems. Spain's perfidy drove
the President to Clay,s side. Clay lost no
time under such circumstances. and. on
April 3. 1890, offered a resolution in part
as follows:
Resolved. That Il is expedient To pro
vide by law suitable OUTFIT and salary
for such Minister or Ministers as the
President by and with the advice and
consent OF the Senate. may send TO any
governments Of South America. which
have. established. and are maintaining.
thei7 independence Of Spain"
to 70.
Clay had triumphed at last.
In another letter I will complete this
subject. showing that Clay. and not Can
ming. not only called a new world into
existence, but stands pre-eminentIy first
Tor memorials and monuments in COM
memoration of distinguished services for
South American independence and friend
~ relations ANDREW JORDAN GREEN
March IA 1915