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Leader (1850-1860), 25th December 1852, Edition Country of 2, Page 5, December 25,1852.] THE LEADER. 122S

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      Message Of The American President. The A...

      establishing a permanent corps of seamen , and some new organization of the seamen in order to improve the efficiency of the service ) and prevent insubordination now prevalent . The President , nevertheless , vindicates the abolition of corporal punishment ; and hopes that a better class of men will enlist in the navy . Cheap postage has not brought so large a revenue as the dearer rates ; but the President cannot recommend a return to the old system . One of the most important legacies Mr . Fillmore leaves his successors is the section on

      NON-INTERVENTION" . " It has been the uniform policy of this Government , from its foundation to the present day , to abstain from all interference in the domestic affairs of other nations . The consequence has been , that while the nations of Europe have been engaged in desolating -wars , our country has pursued its peaceful course to unexampled prosperity and happiness . The wars in which we have been compelled to engage , in defence of the rights and honour of the country , have been fortunately of short dilution . During the ter > rific contest of nation against nation which succeeded the French revolution , wo were enabled by the wisdom and firmness of President Washington to maintain our

      neutrality . While other nations were drawn into this wide sweeping whirlpool , we sat quiet and unmoved upon our own shores . While the flower of their numerous armies was wasted by disease or perished by hundreds of thousands upon the battle-field , the youth of this favoured land were permitted to * 5 Joy the blessings of peace beneath the paternal roof . While the States of Europe incurred enormous debts , under the burden of which their subjects still groan , and which must absorb no small part of the product of the honest industry of those countries for generations to come , the United States have once been enabled to exhibit the proud spectacle of a nation free from public debt ; and , if permitted to pursue our prosperous way foi

      a few years longer in peace , we may do the same again . " But it is now said by some that this policy must be changed . Europe is no longer separated from us by a voyage of months , but steam navigation has' brought her within a few days' Sail of our shores . We see more of her movements and take a deeper interest in her controversies . Although no one proposes that we should join the fraternity of potentates who have for ages lavished the blood and treasure of their subjects in maintaining ' the balance of power , ' yet it is said that we ought to interfere between contending Sovereigns and their subjects for the purpose of overthrowing the Monarchies of Europe and establishing in their place Republican institutions . It is

      alleged that we have heretofore pursued a different course from a sense of our weakness , but that now our conscious strength dictates a change of policy , and that it is consequently our duty to mingle in these contests and aid those who are struggling for liberty . " This is a most seductive but dangerous appeal to the generous sympathies of freemen . Enjoying as we do the blessings of a free Government , there w no man who has an American heart who would not rejoice to see these blessings extended to all other nations . We cannot witness the struggle between the oppressed and his oppressor anywhere without the deepest sympathy for the former , and the most anxious desire for his triumph . JSevertheless , is it prudent

      or is it wise to involve ourselves in these foreign wars ? Is it , indeed , true that we have heretofore refrained froih doing so merely from the degrading motive of a conscious weakness P For the honour of the patriots who have gone bofore us , I cannot admit it . Men of the Revolution , who drew the sword against the oppressions of the- mother country , and pledged to Heaven ' their lives , their fortunes , and their sacred Honour' to maintttin their freedom , could never have been actuated by so unworthy a nrtotive . They knew no weakness or fear where rig ht or duty pointed their way , and it is a libol Upon their fair fame for us , while wo enjoy the blessings for which they so nobly fought and bled , to insinuate it . The truth is . that the courso which they

      pursued was dictated by a stem sotisa of international justice , by a statesmanlike prudence , and a far-seeing wisdom , looking not merely to the present necessities , but to tho permanent safety and interest of tho country . They know that tho world is governed less by sympathy than t > y reason and force ; that ii was not possiblo for this nation to become a ' propagandist' of frco principles without arraying against it the combined Powers of Europe ; and that tho result was more likely to be tho overthrow of republican liberty hero than its establishment there . History has bcon written in vain for those who can doubt this . 1 ' ranco had

      no sooner established a republican form of Government than she manifested a desire , to forco its blessings on nil tho world . Her own historian informs us that , hearing of Rome potty acts of tyranny in a neighbouring principality , "The National Convention doclarod that she would afford ft succour and * fraternity to all nations who wished to recover their liberty ; nnd she gavo it in charge to tho Executivo power to give orders to tho Gonomls of tho French armies to aid all citizens who mig ht have been , or should be oppressed in tho cause of liberty . ' Here was the false stop which led to her siibsflquont misfortunes . She Boon found hornolf involved in war with all tho rest of

      Europe . In loss than ton years hor government wart changed from a republic to an , empire ; and finally , after flhodfling rivers of blood , foreign Powers restored her exiled dynasty , and exhausted Europe nought poaco and repose in tho unquestioned ascendancy of monarchical principles . Lot us lenrn wisdom from hor example . Lot ub reniehibor that revolutions do not always ( mtablinh freedom . Our own free institutions wore not tho offspring of our . Revolution . Thoy existed before . They were planted in tho froo ohartorn of self-government under which < ho Eng lish colonios grow up , and our Revolution only frond us iroia the dominion of a foreign FWor , whoso Government ; won lit variance with those institutions . Hut European nation * have had no such training for nolf-govornmont , and overy effort to estubli & h it by bloody rcvolutionu has boon , and

      " It is not strange , however much it may be regretted , that such an exuberance of enterprise should cause some individuals to mistake change for progress , and the invasion of the rights of others for national prowess and glory . The former are constantly agitating for some change m the organic law , or urging new and untried theories of human rights . The latter are ever ready to engage in any wild crusade against a neighbouring people , regardless of the justness of the enterprise , and without looking at the iatal consequences to ourselves and to the cause of popular

      must , without that preparation , continue to be a failure Liberty , unregulated by law , degenerates into anarchy , which soon becomes the most horrid of all despotisms . Our policy is wisely to govern ourselves , and thereby to set such an example of national justice , prosperity , and true glory , as shall teach to all nations tho blessings of self-government , and the unparalleled enterprise and success of a free people . " Enlarging oil the great prosperity of the country , Mr . Fillmore strenuously recommends his countrymen to persevere in the old course of internal improvement , the promotion of internal commerce , and the protection of home industry .

      government . Such expeditions , however , are often stimulated by mercenary individuals , who expect to share the plunder or profit of the enterprise without exposing themselves to danger , and are led on by some irresponsible foreigner , who abuses the hospitality of our own Orovernment by seducing the young and ignorant to jom in his scheme of personal ambition or revenge , under the false r d delusive pretence of extending the area of freedom . These reprehensible aggressions but retard the true prootosb nf our nation , and tarnish its fair fame . They should

      therefore , receive the indignant frown of every good citizen who sincerely loves his country and takes a pride in its prosperity and honour . _ " Our Constitution , though not perfect , is doubtless the best that ever was formed . Therefore , let every proposition to change it be well weighed , and , if found beneficial , cautiously adopted . Every patriot will rejoice to see its authority so exerted as to advance the prosperity and honour of the nation , while he will watch with jealousy any attempt to mutilate this charter of our liberties , or pervert . i . L ^« + « . / . f ,, n f acrtrrfHRinTi or iniustice . Inus snail

      Conservatism and progress blend their harmonious action in preserving the form and spirit of the Constitution , and , at the same time , carry forward the great improvements of the country with a rapidity and energy which Ireemen only can display . " Mr . Fillmore closes his Message with congratulations on the prosperous condition of the nation , and an expression of devout gratitude that he retires from office , having discharged its duties to the best of his ability , and leaves the country in a state of peace and prosperity .

      December 25,1852.] The Leader. 122s

      December 25 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 122 S

      The Cuban Slave Trade. Spain Does Not Fu...

      THE CUBAN SLAVE TRADE . Spain does not fulfil her engagements respecting the suppression of the slave trade . This has long been more than suspected ; and it is now clearly proved . Letters from Havana , both in the American and the English press , furnish evidence of this which cannot be doubted . At Baltimoro , this summer , a clipper was built for the trade ; and she arrived at Mariel on the 15 th , and was delivered to the Spaniards on the 16 th of November , at Bathia Honda , Cuba , in sight of the Spanish men of war . Two schooners from the port of Havana delivered her kidnapping munit ions and equipments on the 16 th , nnd the same evening she received by the Spanish trading steamer , Tcvenn , from Havana , her " expedition crew" of 70 men , which could not havo beon accomplished without the knowledge of the supreme authority . In addition , she received by the same means of transportation , that could not bo concealed from those who huve surveillance of such things , ^ iG guns and equipments , 12 pounders , 150 stands of small arms , 150 cutlasses , and 150 brace of pistols . She goes out under tlie command of the notorious Kugenio Vinas , whoso chief boastful exploit , which he expatiates upon in our very refined cireleH , was in the murder of the crow and officer of an Eng lish boarding boat , some two years sine *; , when running down the ; const to make ono of the factories . The . ship Lady Suffolk wjw sold to . Julian Zulueta , for the sum of

      28 , 000 dollars , and it is staled Unit the Queen Mother is intereated in the voyage , which wo derive from tho acknowledgment * , acts , and advances ofher agent here . The words " Lady Suffolk" were painted on the stern , but they wilt probably be erased with Ihe scraper and paiutol over . She was towed to sou at night , on tlio 22 nd , hoiho 30 miles from the coast , to give her good oiling from tho Kngliah war . steamers now cruising in this vicinity - The steamer Serena brought up from the pirate ship Lady Suffolk tho late officer * and erew , consisting of Captain Urny and bis koii , chief mate , 11 crow , cook , and steward ; one seaman , an Italian , Nicholas Fruncinco , preferring to remain with the pirate . Since arrival in Havana , Captain ( Irny and his hou have been arrested and thrown into prison , in

      order to cover thn exposure made of complicity in tho transaction of iniquity of thow > in the highest plucen ; while with full knowledge of overy Ntep , from arrival on tho coast of the rthip Lady Suffolk , good euro wan taken not to movo in tho matter until nil tho Spaniards

      implicated were out of reach , and then , if possible , make the Yankee bear the sin of their commission . Within twelve months nearly five thousand slaves have been landed in Cuba ; under the guns of the Spanish ships . A correspondent of the New York Herald suggests that the British war steamers lately seen off the island , are cruising there for the purpose of capturing some of these ventures . Under the government of General Concha , the slave trade declined ; under that of Canedo it has become brisk and profitable . The complicity of Spain is beyond a doubt , and her government ought to be brought to reason .

      Letters From Paris. [From Our Own Corres...

      LETTERS FROM PARIS . [ From our own Correspondent . ] Letter HI . Paris , December 21 , 1852 . The course of Bonaparte is very far from running asf smoothly as many superficial people imagine . As to the Emperor himself , he is quite awake to the truth of his position . He finds it extremely false and dangerous . The following facts attest it . The Legitimist party , en masse , is hostile . All the old noblesse de race stand aloof in sullen contempt , and will have nothing to say to this parvenu . Self-banished to their estates and chateaux , they maintain the most absolute reserve . All these gentilshommes who erewhile would have disdained to cast a regard upon the

      " common people" ( des vilains ) , are now living patnarchally in their villages . They affect an affability unexampled ; they chat with their peasantry , and seek by every device to conquer their affection . For tl ^ s , they have reduced their rents a third : instead of insisting on rigorous payment to the day , they display a facility of accommodation , and a bonhomie of manner , equally conspicuous and delightful , —nay , they even go so far as to lend money to their peasants who are in want , and at an interest quite insignificant . These tactics , pursued with a perfect ensemble throughout the entire country , are extremely well devised , and can scarcely fail to restore the hearts of the peasantry to their aneien * lords .

      In this state of things , Bonaparte , with all his mayors nominated by himself , is utterly powerless . All his movements are paralyzed ; all his acts distorted and discoloured to his prejudice . Even his better intentions are sedulously misinterpreted and indefatigably misrepresented . Then , with regard to the Orleanists . Let it be at once confessed that the bourgeoisie of town and country alike , are Orleanist to a man . Murdered with grape shot in December , crushed in January by decrees of confiscation , struck to the heaflb by the loss of parliamentary government , which , be it remembered , was in

      France nothing more than the govermnent of the bourgeoisie * the middle class is manifestly and incurably hostile . The Civil list of a million sterling , which Bonaparte has just obtained from the Senate , has produced a disastrous effect : all France over , there is hut one cry , though the intonations vary . Some exclaim against the p illage of the p ublic fortune , others denounce the ambition : but all , even the most confiding and tho most blinded , are forced to open their eyes . There remain the men of the Bourse ! You know all that Bonaparte hiw done to gain , or rather to gorge , this interesting class of the population . His plan was this : to win over to his side all tho stock-jobbers , all the bankers , all the men of

      the Hourse ; to create , by their means , a factitious movement ; to impose upon outsiders by this false prosperity ; to rally all the interests of commerce to his own , and so to gain tho whole bourgeoisie . This plan , it must be said , law been followed with persevering skill . I have kept you informed about all the operations in this direction . Accordingly , lioimpurte has spared no effort to get reconciled with Rothschild : it ia for the great financier that the trip to Compiegne was expressly designed . Ilothselnld and his wile wero th « only persons admitted into tho Imperial carriage . they alone of all the party , not attached to the Imperin j court , are invited to put up at the chateau , and t piiKs a week in residence . This is not all . Tl »

      * For The Consolation Of Our Corresponde...

      * For the consolation of our correspondent , let us assure him that we liavo not advanced bcyoiul Mii . s Hl . » ure , oven in our own classic , land of Parliamentarism . Nor , unth > r < lwtrinatra coalitions , however " conservatively progressive , as tho cant of tho ( lay K oen , do wo ncc . ii likdy U > f * vt beyond tho « Vovornm « nf / of the midcllo classes , " which Wo reached in 18 IJ 2 Indeed , it may l )« said , without prejudice to tho bom-sty and the eminent prucl . icalsei-viceHofUie . Maneheflter School -whose triumph is still distant -that oven that would bo loth to

      pushing sect , of politicians supersede a machinery which they cm only dosiro to oxtond to ft ho limits of ftliuir own field of Influence nnd control . 1 no time has not yet arrived when the great working class of KiiKland ran ho said to fee ! any very lively interest m Parliamentary government , us it tovouIh itaolt through tho mysteries of tho Cnrlton and tho Reform , tho ugnncics of Jllght " KeeklenH" W . B . fl , and the disorganized feebleness of the Houho of Frail and C ' oppock . — Ei > . Leader .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 25, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_25121852/page/5/