The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-04-12
CONGRESS-.
HorsI or REPRESENTATIVES.

To The Senate and House OF hePTeSeHWtoee'
communicate to Congress, Tor their intor'
nation. copy Of a despatch, with the accomPa.
ny;ng documents, received at rhc Department
of State from The Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States
al Paris, giving official information of the over
throw OF the French monarchy, and the estah-
lishment in its stead of a Provisional Govern.
ment, based on Republican principles.
This great event occurred suddenly, and was
ACCOMPLISHED almost without hloodshed. The
world has seldom witnessed more interesting
and sublime spectacle than The peaceful rising
of The French people, resolved TO secure tor
themselves enlarged liberty, and 10 assert IN
the majesty of their strength the great truth
that, in this enlightened age, man is capable OF
governing himself.
The prompt recognition ofthe new govern.
ment by the Representative of the United
States a. the French Court which meets my
full and unqualified appreciation, and he has
been authorized, in suitable manner, to make
known this fact to the constituted authorities OF
the French Republic.
Called upon to act upon sudden emergency
which could not have been anticipated ny his
instructions, he judged rightly of the feelings
and sentiments of his Government, and of his
coun,rymcn, when, in advance ofthe diPlomat-
ic representatives of other countries, he was
the first to recognise, so far as it was in his pow
er, the flee government established ny the
French people.
The policy of the United States has ever been
that of non Intervention in domestic affairs OF
other rcountries-leavng to each to establish
the form of government ofits own CHOICE
While this wise policy will be maintained TO-.
wards France, now suddenly transferred from
monarchy into republic, all our sympathics
are naturally enlisted on the side of great peo.
pie who, Initiating our example, have resolved
to he free.
That such sympathy should exist on the part
of the people Of the United States with the
friends Of free government in every part of the
world, and especially in France, is not remark
able. We can never forget that France was
our early friend in our cventtul Revolution, and
generously aided US in shaking OF Il foreign
Yoke, and becoming free and independent
people.
We have enjoyed the blessings Of our system
of we'll regulated self:government for near
lhree.iour,hs Of century, and can properly ap-
preciatc its value. Our ardent and sincere
congratulations are extended to the patriotic
people of France, upon their noble and thus
lar successful, efforts to found for their future
government liberal institutions similar to our
own.
Ii is not doubted, that, under The benign in.
hucnce of free institutions, the enlightened
statesmen Of Republican France will find il to
be for true interest and permanent glory to cul.
tivate with the United States the most liberal
PRINCIPLES ofinternational intercourse and com
mcrcial reciprocity, whereby the happiness and
prosperity of both nations will be promot"t.
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, April, 3, 1913.
Mr. Cummins moved that the rules be sus.
pended to enable him TO introduce the follow.
ING resolutions, and were suspended, ayes III,
nays 81.
Rcsolred, That it becomes The people Of the
United States 10 rejoice that the sentiment OF
self. covcrnme Mt is commenting isell To the ia.
vorable consideration and adoption oflhe intel.
ligent and thinking men Of enlis shtcned ma
lions.
Rcsolrcd, That the only legitimate source o
political power is the will of the people; and the
only righltul end Of its cxerciSr--ther good.
Rcsolrcd, Tha, we sinc"rcl y hope that down
troll humanity may succeed in breaking down
all forms of tyranny and oppression, and in the
establishment Of free and rational governments
for The good otthe governed, and not for the az
grandiscment Of those who govern.
ResoIrcd That we tender our warmest sym
palhies to he people of France and Italy in
their struggle for reform, andsincerely hope they
may succeed in establishing free and consitu.
lional governments emana,ing from, and based
upon, the wall ofthe government, suited to their
wants and condition, and such as will secure
to them liberty and safety.
Resolred, That we tender our sympalhes and
hopes ofsuccess to every people who are seek.
ing TO establish for themselves free and rational
governments, and that whatever of blood and
treasure may be shed or split in struggle OF tho
oppressed against the opprcssor, is to be charg'
ed 10 the unjust resistance ofihe oppressor, who
strives to hold and exercise the rights Of the
people, usurpcd against their will, and exercised
lor the benefit OF the few and the oppression OF
the many, and not to the people, who seek only
TO regain and exercise their natural rights i'll
such manner as will best secure and promote
their own happiness and safety.
Mr.. Ashmun moved to amend The fourth reso.
luton by inserting: "And we especially sec an
encouraging earnest of their success in the de:
cree which pledges the new Government oil
France 10 earl y measures for the immediate
emancipation of all slaves in their colonies"
Mr.. Schenck proposed to modify this amend
ment by adding thereto: "Recognsing, as we
do, thai great cardinal republican principle
that "lhcrc should be neither slavery nor Invol.
untary scrvudc except for crimes"
MIR. Ashmun accepted the modification.
MIR. Hillard was in favor OF resolutions oil
onnrainlalion AT the proper time, but was not