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stablislnng a permanent corps of seamen , and some w 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 tetter 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 . Filhnore leaves his successors is the section on
NON-INTEEYENTION . "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 duration . During the terrific contest of nation against nation which succeeded the French revolution , we were enabled by the wisdom and firmness of President Washington to maintain our
neutrality . While other nations were drawn into this wide sweep ing whirlpool , we sat quiet and unmoved upon our own shores . While the flower of their numerous armies was wasted bv disease or perished by hundreds of thousands upon the battle-field , the youth of this favoured land were permitted to enjoy 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 for a few years longer in peace , we may do the same again . that thi must be
" But it is now said by some s policy changed . Europe is no longer separated from us by a voyage of months , but steam navigation has broug ht 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 is 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 . Nevertheless , is it prudent or is it wise to involve ourselves in these foreign wars ? Is it , indeed , true that we have heretofore refrained from doing no merely from tho degrading motive of a conscious weakness ? For tho honour of tho patriots who have gone before us , I cannot admit it . Men of tho Revolution , who drew the sword against the oppressions of tho mother country , and pledged to Heaven ' their lives , their fortunes , and their sacred honour' to maintain thoir freedom , could
never have been actuated by so unworthy a motive . They knew no weakness or fear whero right or duty pointed their way , and it is a libel upon their fair fame for us , whilo we enjoy the blessings for which they so nobly fought nnd bled , to irisinuato it . The truth is , that tho course which they pursued was dictated by astern souse of international justice , by a Htatesrniudiko prudence , and a fur-seeing wisdom , looking not , merely to tho present necessities , but to the permanent safety and interest of the country . They knew that tho world is governed Ions bysympathy Limn by reason and force ; Unit it wan not possible for thin nation to become a ' propagandist' of free principles without arraying ngaiiiHt it tho combined Powers of lOuropo ; und that the result wiih nioro likely to be tho overthrow of republican
liberty bore than its establishment there . 11 intory Iuih been written in vain for those who can doubt this . Franco had no sooner established a republican form of Government tlnui Nhe manifested a desire to force its blessings on all the world . IIcrown historian informs u . s that , bearing of Home petty acts of tyranny in a neighbouring principality 'The National Convention declared that , she would afford a succour and fraternity to all nations who wished to recover thoir liberty ; and she gave it in charge to tin ) Executive power ' to give orders to tho Generals of i be French armies to aid all citizens who might have boon , or Hhould be oppressed in tho cause- of liberty . ' Mere wus tho falne i-ttep which led to her subsequent misfortuneH . She noon round herself involved in war with all the rest o (
Europe . In less ( ban ten years her government wan changed from a republic to an empire ; mid finally , niter shedding rivers of blood , foreign IWer . s restored her exiled dymiHty , and exhausted Kuropo sought peace and repose in the unquestioned ascendancy of monarchical princip oh . Let uh learn wimloin from her example . Let us remember that revolution !* do not always establish freedom Our own free institutions were not the offspring of our Revolution . They existed before . They were planted m the Ireo charters of Hell-government under which the Knglisli colonies grew up and our Revolution only freed us from Mie dominion of a foreign I ' ower , whose Government w . ih at variance with those iiintitutiouH . Hut Kuropoun nations havo bad no huc . Ii training Tor Holf-govominent , und overy effort to eslttbliHb it by bloody revolutions ban boon , and
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 the blessings of self-government , and the unparalleled enterprise and success of a free people . " Enlarging on the great prosperity of the country , Mr . Filhnore strenuously recommends his countrymen to persevere in ' the old course of internal improvement , the promotion of internal commerce , and the protection of home industry . _
" 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 . Ihe former are constantly agitating for some change in the organic law , or urging new and untried theories ot human rilhts . 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 tatal consequences to ourselves and to the cause of popular however
oftenstimugovernment . Such expeditions , , are , lated 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 Government by seducing the young and ignorant to join in his scheme of personal ambition or revenge , under the false t . & delusive pretence of extending the area of freedom . These reprehensible aggressions but retard the true progress of 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 its powers to acts of aggression or injustice . Thus shall 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 freemen 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 st ate of peace and prosperity .
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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 Baltimore , this summer , : i clipper was built for the trade ; and she arrived at Muriel on the 15 th and was delivered to the Spaniards on the 16 th of November , at Buthia Honda , Cuba , in sight of the Spanish men of war . Two schooners from the port of Havana delivered her kidnapping munitions and equipments on the 16 th , and the same evening she received by the Spanish trading steamer , Tevcnti , from Havana , her « expedition crew" of 70 men , which coiild ^ not have been accomplished without the knowledge oi the supreme authority . In addition , she received by the . same means of transportation , that could not be concealed from those who lmvo surveillance of such things , 16 guns and equipments , 12 pounders , 150 stands of small urniH , 150 cutlasses , and 150 brace oi' pistols . She goes out under tho command of the notorious luigenio Vinas , whose chief boastful exploit , which be expitiat . es upon in our very refined circles , was in the murder of the crew and oflicur of an Knglish boarding boat , some two years since , when running down the crnst to make one of tho factories . Tho ship L . idy Sulfolk was sold to . lulian Zulucta , for tho huh . oi 28 , 000 dollars , and it- is stated that , the Queen Mother is interested in the voyage , which we derive from tho acknowledgments , arts , and advances of her agent , here . Tim words " Lady Sullolk" were painted on tho . stern , but , they will probably be erased with t he scraper and painted over . She was towed to sea a . f , night , on tho Blind , some HO miles Iron , the coast , to givo her good oiling from the Nnglish war steamers now cruwing in I bis vicinity The steamer Serena brought up from the pirate ship Lady Sullolk the Into odicrrrt and crew , consisting of Captain ( Jray and his son , chid male , II crew , cook , and . steward ; one seaman , an Italian , Nicholas I'Ynneisco , preferring to re . main with the pirate . Since arrival hi Havana , Captain Uray and bin hou have , been arrested nnd thrown into prison , in order to cover tho exposure made of complicity in the transaction of iniquity of those in the highest , places ; while with full knowledge of every stop , from arrival on the ; count of Uio ship I-mly Sullolk , good arowim takou not to move in thomultor until all 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 Brit ish war steame rs lately seen off the island , are cruising there for the purpose of capturing some ot 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 .
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LETTERS FROM PARIS . [ Fbom our own Correspondent . ] Letter LTI . Faris , December 21 , 1852 . The course of Eonaparte is very far from running as 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 rega rd upon the " common people" ( des vilains ) , are now living patriarchally in their villages . They affect an affability unexampled ; they chat with their peasantry , and seek by every device to conquer their affection . For this , 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
ancient lords . In this state of things , Bonaparte , with all his mayors nominated by himself , is utterly powerless . All his movements are paralyzed ; all bis 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 Orlcanist to a man . Murdered with grape shot in December , crushed in January by decrees of confiscation , struck to the heart by the loss of parliamentary government , ivhicli , be it r emembered , ivas in France nothing more than the government of the hotirgeoisi-e , * 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 but one cry , though the intonations vary . Some exclaim against the pillage of tho public fortune , others denounce the ambition : but all , even the most confiding and the most blinded , are forced to open their eyes . There remain the men of the Bourse ! You know all that Bonaparte has done to gain , or rather to gorge , this interesting class of the population . His plan was this : to win over to bis side all the stock-jobbers , all tho bankers , all the men of tho Bourse ; to create , by their means , a factitious movement ; to impose ! upon outsiders by this false prosperity ; to rally all the interests of commerce to bis own , and so to ' gain tho whole bourgeoisie . This
plan , i < - must , be said , has been followed with persevering skill . I have kept you informed about all the operations in this direction . Accordingly , Bonajiavte has spared no effort to g ( 't reconciled with Rothschild : if , is for the gn ' . it . linancu-r that , the trip to ( Jonipicgno was expressly designed . Rothschild and his wife were the only persons admitted into the Imperial carriage , they alone of all I be party , not attached to the Imperia j court ,, are invited to put , up at . the chateau , and t () puss a week in residence . This is not all . Tb
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December 2 S , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 1225 , _
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* For the consolation of our correspondent , let , u » nssnro him that we have not . advanced beyond this slu-e . even mouc own classic bind of Parliamentarism . Nor . inider dortn-iuure coalitions , however " eonservat i vclv progressive , as he cant of tho tiny gonn , do wo seen , likely to . gel . beyon . l tho " . rovormncnt of the middle el ,, SHes , " which wo reache . l , u IHIW . Indeed , it maybe said , without . 1 > ' ;«; . I ' <>' U < ; » " > lH ,. w'styan , ltlHMMuin , ; nl , prm . ti « -alMTv . « vs . ( tb , v \ bu , clu . Hter School ' wbo . se triumph is nI . 1 distant that oven that pushing sect of polil id . u . H would be loth to supnrse . lo a ! Llim wliHthey run only desire to extend to I ho
,-.-rv .. limits of ( heir own field ol influence and control . 1 bo limo ' hasnotyel , arrive , ! when tho . t fre . it , woj-kiiig ehiSM ol K ,,, r | , ui « l <•• ' » ' >><> """ I to feel any very lively interest in I ' ariiaincnliiry tf <> vernmont , us it reveal * itsell through the mysteries of the Carlt . on and the Reform , the ajroncieH of Itlirbf , " Reckless" VV . H . s , and the disorganized fecblcncw of tho ILouaci ol' Fruil and Coppook . —Kd . kvadtsr .
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 25, 1852, page 1225, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1966/page/5/
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