We are pledged to liberty and the sovereignty of States.  Shall a contest between our own principles and those of our enemies awaken no emotions in us?  We believe that government should exist for the advantage of the individual members of the body politic, and not for the use of those who, by birth, fortune, or personal energy, may have risen to positions of power.  We recognize the right of each nation to establish its own institutions and regulate its own affairs.  Our revolution rests upon this right, and otherwise is entirely indefensible.  The policy of this nation, as well foreign as domestic, should be controlled by American principles, that the world may know we have faith in the government we have established.  While we cannot adopt the cause of any other people, or make the quarrels of European nations our own, it is our duty to guard the principles peculiar to America, as well as those entertained by us in common with the civilized world.

One principle, which should be universal in States as among individual men is, that each should use his own in such a way as not to injure that which belongs to another. Russia violated this principle when she interfered in the affairs of Hungary, and thus weakened the obligations of other States to respect the sovereignty of the Russian Empire.

The independent existence of the continental States of Europe, is of twofold importance to America.  Important politically, important commercially.

As independent States they deprive Russia, the central and absorbing power of Europe, of the opportunity on the Mediterranean to interfere in the politics and civilities of this Continent.  Russia and the United States are as unlike as any two nations which ever existed.  If Russia obtains control of Europe by the power of arms, and the United States shall retain this Continent by the power of its principles, war will be inevitable.  As inevitable as it was in former days that war should arise between Carthage and Rome,—­Carthage, which sought to extend her power by commerce, and Rome, which sought to govern the world by the sword.  The independence of the States of Europe is then the best security for the peace of the world.  If these States exist, it must be upon one condition only—­that each State is permitted to regulate its own affairs.  If the voice of the United States and Great Britain is silent, will Russia allow these States to exist upon this principle?—­Has she not already partitioned Poland—­menaced Turkey—­divided with the Sultan the sovereignty of Wallachia—­infused new energy into the despotic councils of Austria—­and finally aided her in an unholy crusade against the liberties of Hungary?  Have we not then an interest in the affairs of Europe?  And if we have an interest, ought we not to use the rights of an independent State for its protection?

The second consideration is commercial.