The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-14

guished member OF the House OF Representatives.,
in reference 10 the condition Of Greece-nOt South
American staie=no, sir, not a state having any po-
litical affinity By geogrsp hical proximity to the
American systems but state in the very midst Of
the political systems Of tho Old Word-sur-
rounded on all sides by the strongest despotsms
the worlds bosom now contains; II was TO that
state the resolution offered by the honorable senator
applied. The resolution was 10 the ELECT that an
appropriation should be made OF money to defray
the expenses Of mission to Greece; which was, to
all intens and purposes, voluntary recognition OF
the independence Of Greece by the government OF
the United States That resolution was introduced
into the House Of Representatives. What became
Of it, il is not my business 10 inquire. The point
involved present is the proPrety Of AN individual
presenting such subject TO the consideration OF
Congress. Well in speech made on that oeca-
son-ktried 10 find the whole Of the debate, but
could find but one or two speeehts--by the senator
from Massachusetts,, then a distinguished member
Of that House, In support Of the resolution
so.4eb r-,,crded, and allow me TO say that will
hazard the opinion that II W.. say feeo'1ed 80 Vil
as types and paper exist TO record anyu.., W WIG
English language--in that speech the senator from
Massaeuusetts justified his course upon the ground
that the new and dangerous condition Of the world
brought about by that combination Of powerful Eu-
ropean sovereigns called the Holy Alliance, required
some action by our government. He commended
that we, as a Tree and Independent people, and as
iyerance from bobdage, were bound To speak out IN
terms that could not be mistaken. He indicated
THE movement Ia the message Of Mr.. Monroe, not,
sir, as chairman Of the Committee Of Foreign AT
fairs in the House. but simply member from the
State Of Massachusetts,, the whole matter having
been previously referred, Just has been in this
case, to the Committee on Foreign Affairs Of that
body. He offered the resolution in hls own lndl-
vldua character as member Of that House IL
not referred, far as can perceive, to the
Committee Of Foreign Affairs, but was debated in
Committee Of the Whole on the state Of the Union.
Now il ID we'll to look back to these times of quar-
ter of century ago. II is well for to look back
TO those days, and see what an American President,
and an American legislature, and the country had
the courage to do-to ascertain what sort of sentl-
msns it was not then deemed disrepntable 10 utter
will not undertake TO read all the passages Of this
speech, as | hnd 1t very imPerfectly reported IN
NileS's Register ! will not read all the passages
have marked, but merely one or Two Of the most
pointed:
AT the commencement OF the present session Of Con-
grsEs Orr WEBIER said the President Of the United
states the discharge Of the high duties OF his station
deemed II incumbent him to Introduce the subject TO the
consideration Of the national rgSlaturei and IN his
be had expressed an opinion that there was rcR
son 10 hope that the Greek. would be successful in the
struggle with their oppresso and that the power
that hsd SO long crushed hem ned lost It's dominion over
them forever The Communication contained other
matters Of great importance in relation TO rumored
bnaton OF foreign soyeegns to interfere In the concerns
thought Il was proper and becoming that the communica
ton should receive response from this House. ! am
that the practice general from the cgs
laure to the annual message speech Of the President
has for more than twenty past been dsusod nor DO
complain OF such dsuse but am also Of opinion that The
practice not without It's positive advantages II IL my
conviction that In government which contains popu
lar branch II Is the duty Of that portion OF the popular
eminent much express opinions pass the
cessary laws introduce the present resolution under
this conviction, "a well as that might have oppouni
to give vote directly on one OF the adveed
to by the Executive; and shall think that proper
in the President to advert TO these subjects is equally
proper in to takrnoce Of what he addressed
respecting them"
The propricty of Introducing the resolution,
then, was not only felt and INDICATED by the gen.
ilemnn, but he contends that Il was the "duty OF
Congress- to respond And then, after citing some
resented very potential in the world the senator
from Massachusetts proceeds to say:
Out II RAY be asked what is all that ousl The
question is easily answered. We one ofthc 1ntions
ystei anl, IL safe from tie effects, may thank
our situation or our cOuTag1 The age we live in and
nations of the world; and We, nation have precisely
the interest in international law Jvate indvidu.
al has in the laws cf his country. But, what
10 in this matter it behooyes do princi
pie the subject OF rumnTed combinations against South
TINT stard taken The nsGr approach me remois dis
lance Of danger rh7nse policy but touch prinei
lead to protest in the of the whole southern CONT
mint bind TO protest in the Of the smallest republic
OF Italy"
And now Mr.. President, Continued Mr.. ALLEN, J
have referred to these things, us stated at the
outset, to justify myself from the imputations cas-,
upon me Of arrogang to myself the business Of the
committee, by the presentation OF this resolution.
And now | will conclude by stating why did not
do this the instant should have done it at that
time with perhaps more imprudent ardor than now,
had not the motion to lay the table precuded de-
bate, and, of course, precuded me from the oppor-
tunity Of repelling the imputations to which have
alluded. ] have now sir said all that deem neces
sary on the subject.
After some remarks from Mr.. CALHOUN,
Mr. ALLEN rose and said that, as to the prece-
dents-so many Of which were on record, but oil
which he had been content to quote half Dozen
they still stood there unreplied to. The assertion Of
the senator from South Carolina that they did mo-
apply in the present case was the most extraordi
nary way Of answering them. He did not think i
requisite to go all the gentleman said; but one
principle he would notice that was laid down by
him, and that was in regard to the confinement of tn,
powers of the Senate until committees should report
on matters referred to them. Now, what would b.
the state of the question by the application Of such
principle that The constitution required thu
President to communicate to Congress, at the open
ing of the session, his views of our affairs, nterna
and external If the Presidents message compre
bends all those Subjects ought to do its differ
ent portions are referred as matter Of course) L
their several committees. What them Why, az
matter of course, the Senate must sit dumb until
may please the several committees to report. Tn,
Senate loses its power over those Subjects and eve
| ny one Of its members is gagged-a are muzzled by
the reference Of the Presidents message, which hap
rens to allude incidentally to the matter The Pres
Idcnt's message recommended appropriations for TIT
army and for the navy and that portion of is re
| ferred to the Committees on Military and on Nava
Affairs; therefore, according to the senator from
South Carolina, senator can originate bill, o
make motion on the subject, because that refer
ence extracts out Of the Senate that principle Of vi
| talty giving it control over the legislative ield
paroyzes the Senate, and, according his doctrine
no member Of that body could originate motion
| Nowhere else but in the Presidents message ar
there to be introduced great questions of national in
| terest. Well the question is referred, and, ben.
| referred, not member Of that body was to make
solitary motion, because the matter is sent to n com
mittee. Now, suppose mischievous man SHOULD
| happen to get into power, and take up every sub
iect-mnttor his Imagination could suggest az possibl
for Congress to touch; that his message came Their
and wns referred; why, then, according to him, not
man could offer resolution because the President
message had taken the matter up already. Their
was something so monstrous in that doctrine tina
| It was quite unnecessary to say another word on il
CO. ,.I. al.