The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-26

D
would have II done effectively, and nationally; and to
have il national would send a national vessel
present from the government OF one people rejoicing
plenty to another government, to be distributed among
its people, suffering from a national calamity. what d
great aud glorious spectacle, to the Heating mstru
ments OF death, their decks longer browning with nm
plements of destuctlon but waiting substantial evil
dences of nations goodwill TO the afflicted OF another
nation. Such exhibitions would not only mark the on
ward march of benevolent civilization, but would speak
the longing aspirations OF the nations OF the earth for the
advent OF a holier and happier day. Yes, SIR, would
have this offering OF our sympathy and raternal feel
ngs Tor the generous OF Ern and Scotia borne
der national flag. would have all the world honor
and welcome that flag, not only ii is now known,
as the flag OF vaor; but would broaden Its stripes and
brighten lis by making the welcome messenger
OF generosity and humanity to those whose warm hearts
are now in afction.
Mr. j. NJ CLAYTON moved that it be read second
and third time to-day and passed and continued II
need apology Tor Offering myself as an advocate Tor
the before the Senate, shall find 1t IN the
resolutions recently adopted by the representatives IN the
legislature OF the State of Delaware which In part rep
resent declaring that the people OF that State Will sane
son and approve any measures when the general govern
ment adopt, furnish forward supplies OF food TO
the poor and destitute people OF Ireland and requesting
me- with my colleagues IN Congress to AID IN The adop-
ton of such They have also resolved that no
better could be made of national vessel than IN car
ryng relief TO suffering thousands and that II would be
circumstance worthy OF note IN the advance OF Christian
charity, honorable in the sight OF God and man. II the
good ship Pennsylvania, or one OF our noble war
steamers, should be employed for season IN conveying
that distressed country the fool which beneyoence is
unless great expense and delay 10 send by the ordi
nary means of conveyance. The reason assigned
in the preamble to these resolutions for their adop.
ton is, that II becomes US as Christian peO-
pie, blessed with superabundance OF the necessares
OF hfe 10 extend aid fellow who are perish
| ing with hunger and want" These resolutions, Mr..
President, meet with my most hearty concurrence, and
shall respond TO the sentiments which they express by
the which shall give Oh this bill As TO the extent
of the distress in Ireland and Scotland, may gather
some just opinion OF it, from the recent speech OF the
Queen of Great Britain, and from the debates in Paria-
men as well as from the columns OF the public press
hold in my hand numbers OF the Hull Advertiser,
rectng facls which exhibit the extreme desuton OF the
inhabitants of unhappy Ireland, well those OF the
Highlands OF Scotland which no man whose heart is IN
the right place, read without emotions OF pity, and
even OF horror Men, and children have been en-
deavorng to sustain nature, while sinking for The want
81 a o he o disease and pesenc
have followed IN the train oil famine and the bodies OF
men, women and children, who have thus persisted
in great numbers, have been buried without collins.
The supply OF food is daily diminishing, and all the ex
erons OF the government which seems to be stranlng
every nerve to- succor the distressed have been and
it evident will continue to be, TO great extent, una
vailing. Men thinking not OF future crops or
OF the seed time and harvest to come, but their whole
thoughts devoted to the single subject OF Immediate
safety and escape from the horrors OF absolute starvation
Other countries in Europe unable TO and the sufferers
Indeed many OF them are scarcely able to supply them
selves with the necessary alimen OF life Scotland,
we'll as England, with France, Belgium and other
TONS where the crowded masses OF mortality have been
for years past increasing consumption beyond their pow
v,
unhappy fellow men in Ireland. The day has arrived
when Europe stretches out her hands to America for aid
in hour OF Distress which has scarcely parallel in
the annals OF modern history. On the other hand, how
stands the with u.s. Since the foundations OF tins
republic were laid there has never been year in which
the fruits OF the earth poured forth IN greater abund
ance from the bosom OF our soil than during that
which has just passed away God has blessed us not
only with enough for consumption but as verify
believe with the abundant means to supply the immediate
wants OF every other living creature whom lie has made
in his image Under these circumstances 1t has been
suggested by that private benevolence among our
countrymen may prove sufficient TO supply the wants
and pressing necessities of both Ireland and Scotland
Sir admit that il would be libel our countrymen to
suppose that they are not willing from their wealth and
resources supply these wants but the answer to those
who would throw the sufferers from starvation upon that
reliance only, is that from the defect Of organization among
themselves the want OF timely preparation to meet
crisis which they never anticipatedfrom the want OF
concert of action, and especially OF suitable agents to
carry their benevolent and charitable designs into execu
tion will be found difficult if not utterly impossible to
succo the sick and the furnishing beings who stretch
ing out their hands for relief from the pressing horrors
of immediate death. Now, sir, millions may, be thus
given, which may reach those for whom they were
intended, and thousands may perish before these supplies
shall arrive, delayed they must be, by the causes to
which have alyered Sir it sa nation which hits up ITS
crying for food and nation should respond to the
appeal If there be nature in us, we must feel Tor those
sufferers, and venture TO say that there is not an
bearing ba heart ART W h, Ss Of be the onrV Of b
BIRTH his aloptlon, had exhibited to the rest OF me
world the spectacle OF one Christian natlon extending
mighty arm ana us DOunteOuS ieliel VI
the sulerngs and sorrows of another. Tell me not OF
mere private and individual charity, when whole ma
ton is asking for assistance In such case, let ma
ton answer the imploraon There is charity IN the
nny bosom of the miser, who IN the midst OF all ms
wealth. refuses his contribution TO such object; but
even he compelled he is to contribute to the reven-
ues of the nation be compelled by this distribution
OF the national bounty, IL by no other means, 10 yeld
up some portion OF his surplus wealth. to save his fel-
! low creatures from famine There are no other means
BY which all alike contribute for the relief OF ma
tons suferngs and prvations To say that thus govern
ment is poweress for all the purposes OF charity under
the extraordinary circumstances, and In view OF the I'M
paalleed condition of Ireland and Scotland, is TO deny
10 the fathers OF the republic who made this govern
power conferred upon Congress BY the constitution
TO appropriate money from the. treasury TO re-
lieve the wants and supply the necessities OF
the people of Caracas when destroyed by an
earthquake-Inay with much more reason be
invoked again. in behalf OF nation allied TO us by the
land will ever be- and remain, by the recollection OF all
the heroic sacrifices oil her in the great cause OF hui
man rightsby all their patriotic struggles for liberty and
Internationally all their brilliant achievements on
every theatre and in every field, where man has com
petel and struggled with his fellow for the
of his race, in intellect, morals, and character am
persuaded sir that there full power in this govern
ferring solid proofs OF its gratitude by liberal appropr
atoms OF the public money and the public lands upon
national beneiactor Measuring the services OF lshmen
in our own bloody struggles for liberty, by the same
standard can we refuse TO do less for whole ma
ton than then did for single individually Pass thus
limits Of your mighty republic, who will not rejoice in
the deed YOU have done, and when the national ship,
which shall bear the fruits Of your generosity the
waters thus esifying the aiectonae regard OF one