Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
The debates of Congress have been of considerable interest. In the
_Senate_ the resolutions on the subject of Non-intervention have been
further discussed, but no vote has been taken upon them. On the 5th
of April, Senator Mason of Va. spoke against any declaration upon
the subject by the Government of the United States, upon the ground
that it would be a violation of the policy of neutrality which the
country has always adopted and would tend to involve us in the wars
of Europe. On the 13th, Senator Bell spoke upon the subject--saying
that he attached very little importance to the resolutions, inasmuch
as in his judgment their adoption would have no effect upon European
affairs. But the present state of Europe involved considerations of
great importance in regard to the United States, and to these his
speech was wholly devoted. He referred to the condition of the several
countries of Europe, to show that absolute power has become more firmly
established than ever, and he ascribed this fact to the fears inspired
by the movements of Socialists and fanatical reformers. He thought
there was great reason to believe that when the Absolute powers of
Europe shall have firmly established their authority at home, they will
turn their united arms against the United States, and gave at length
his reasons for this apprehension. In any such contest he thought
England would become the enemy instead of the ally of this country. Any
new disturbance in Europe, he thought, would inevitably involve the
United States, as opportunities would be constantly sought to bring
them into the contest. The reception already give to Kossuth was as
marked an insult to Austria and Russia as one nation could possibly
give to another. From these various considerations, he urged the duty
of immediately putting our national defenses in such a condition as
should enable us to defy the hostility of the world. We ought at
once to attend to our financial system, to establish an overland
communication with the Pacific, to take measures to secure a revenue
in case of war and the consequent stoppage of foreign trade, to allay
all sectional strife, and to make very large additions to our military
marine. He expressed deep regret that while the future seemed so full
of danger, the whole attention of the country should be so absorbed
in the strife of contending parties. ---- On the 6th of April, a
petition was presented from Mr. Henry O'Reilley, asking the protection
of the Government, by the establishment of military posts, for the
establishment of a line of telegraph from the Mississippi to the
Pacific. Detached posts of twenty men, at points twenty miles apart,
would be quite sufficient. ---- A communication was also received from
the Secretary of the Navy, in reply to a resolution of the Senate,
stating that a reconnaissance of the Chinese Seas could be conducted
by the American vessels already in the service, at small expense,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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