Year: 1866

External and Internal Peace.


Nothing connected with the spirit
of our institutions seems harder of
comprehension to the public men of
Europe, and TO many, indeed, of our
domestic politicians, than our cardinal
doctrine of non-intervention in the af-
fairs of other nations. 1t is nowhere
written in our constitution or laws,
and according to the course of the
worlds history is supposed TO be in
consistent with republican structure
of government The nervous energy
which is developed in free people
has so often taken the shape OF con-
quest, and the tendency TO propagan-
uism is so natural to mankind, that
despite the teachings of Washington
and the unbroken practice Of the ma
ton since that time, the topic is con-
stantly renewed, and always awakens
the liveliest interest. So far as the
discussion of the subject may be an
acknowledgment of the vast expan-
sion of the power, wealth and com
mercial importance of the United
States, it is accepted as welcome
tribute to our national pride. Perhaps
Napoleon never paid more delicate
and acceptable compliment to our
people than in the suggested appre-
hension that the time was not distant
when this great democracy, expanded
to embrace an hundred million offree-
men within its domain, should com
bine with the autocracy of Russia TO
control the destinies of Europe and
the world. The forbearance which
we have all along exercised in refer
ence TO the French occupation of Mex
leo, and his consciousness that move
ment upon our part might peril his
claims to be considered the universal
arbter of the civilized world, perhaps
dictated the thought, while the distant
period which he assigned for the move
ment revealed the practiced skill of
the diplomatist. The smaller speeu-
lators upon the future have taken up
the hint, and imputed to the United
States serious completely with Russia
in the Eastern question, which now
exercises the quidnuncs Of the conti-
nent. Again, our innocent propagan-
dsts upon the Canadian border are
reading impressive homilies TO Eng
land upon the Importance of keeping
on good terms with us, lest in the con
dition of isolation in which she has
pacad herself with regard to Europe
an politics, she be left without friend
in the world, and her probable help
lessness on account of Irish disaffec-
ton, the Fenian agitations in her col
onies, and the threatened revolution
at home from the reform movement,
invite us to rekindle some old grudges
against her.


THERE'S still another class here who,
upon the hypothesis that Maximilian's
empire is tottering to its fall, and that
none of the parties in Mexico have
solidity enough to establish and main
tain a government, urge that the Uni
ted States should intervene for the in
terests Of republican institutions, and
sending an army of occupation OF
twenty thousand men, establish order
and educate the Mexican people up to
the standard ofselfgovernment. How
ever this may be, circumstances may
occur by which in caring for our OWL
material interests, and in accordance
with the principle of expansion ever
actively at work in this country, great
benefits may result mutually to the
United States and Mexico by aequisi
tons of territory on our part at 9
proper recompense. Aid may thus
be given to Mexico which perhaps
may be the beginning Of a return tC
something of permanent order in thai
county. But so far as direct politica
Intervention is concerned, the admon
itory lessons of the wisdom of Wash
ington, engraven upon the hearts o
his countrymen in his day, seem no
less important now.


The interests of the United Statei
are peace-peace within and withou
friendship, cordial understanding
active commercial intercourse witt
the whole civilized world. Our pow
or is known and respected our influ
ence acknowledged on all hands oul
example is felt, and our ideas are ia
king root in the sod of the old world
The permanent victories Of the worlC
are victories of ideas and sentiments
With the free interchange Of though
which flashes back and forth beneath
the waves, and alternately illuminate
the one or other civiization-the oldei
of tradition and combination, th,
younger of free vigorous development
the power of physical force is being
daily subordinated to the moral fore,
! of ideas, and in lieu of material inter
vention, the conquests of Americi
over other nations will be effected by
their own spontaneous emulation of
people who have no other limit t
their career of prosperity than al
abuse of the principles of selfgovern
ment may bring upon themselves
Baltimore Sun.


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