The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-20
REMARKS OF Mr.. BALDWIN,
OF CONNECTICUT,

OF CONNECTICUT,
n, N, Resolution tsaderng the Congratulations of The
american TO the French People
In SENATE, MARCH 81, 1915.
The Senate having under consideration the joint resou-
dan rendering the congratulations of the American the
goeh people, and the question being motion postpone
hs further consideration of the resolution
Mr. BALDWIN said When these resolutions came
hore the Senate yesterday moved to them to the
Commiee on Foreign Relations. Subsequently, after the
ma,ks which made by the honorable Senator from
Sonb Carolina (Mr CALHOUN, acquiesced in the motion
made by that Senator to lay them the table The Sem
ate however, did not adopt the motion, and it is pro-
se by honorable Senator who moved the resolutions
hat day specially assigned for their by
the Senate ana opposed SIR to the assignment at this
lime of any day for that purpose because still of opin
ion that reference of the resolutions the Committee
Foreign Relations, originally moved, liz the proper
10 be pursued IN regard TO them.
The first declares that in the and be-
half of the American people the congratulations Of Congress
are rendered the people Of France upon their in
their efforts consolidate liberty by embodyng its prnc
Mes in a republican form of government" The second
guests President to transmit the preceding resolution
The American minister Paris with instructions present
il to the French government Personally, sir, of the
American people, WELD Senator the expression of
nv sympathy with the great movement which going
on for the ameoptIon OF the political and social condition
Of the people of France and OF the other European States
But as member Of this Senate prepared on
these resolutions, to assign day for that purpose until
am better satisfied of right to in the pro-
posed want first be assured that entitled
members of the Congress the United States
10 speak all in the and behalf of the American peo
Ile matter relating to the intercourse of this govern
ent with foreign nation. had supposed sir that every
United States pertaned the frat instance the Execu-
tive had supposed that in the distribution of powers
and duties among the several departments our govern
ment the people had con6ded the President alone the
trust Of speaking in their and behalf foreign
and to Congress the trust of egsatng for their ben
eft. .t
aware, sir, that questions may arise in relation
intercourse, which it may be proper and
pedien that the Of Congress should be declared
But these where legislation is required enable
the Executive carry regard the for
eisn intercourse Of the nation
1.-THE President, deeming j. his duty recognise the in
dependence Of foreign government send minister
nation with which the United States have before had no
diplomatic intercourse, calls Congress make provision
for the exigency then sir, the matter up legitimate
" for discussion before Congress acting legislative
capacity, in deciding upon the expedency Of granting
Withholding the appropriation required.
Mr. ALLEN | wish to correct error into which the
argument Of the honorable Senator imply that he
has fallen. 1t is the object of this resolution make
formal recognition OF the French government The French
government asks government the world for such
osnion. 1t would be an insult to tina. government to
make any such recognition.
called egsate for any purpose connected with the
ognion of the French republic We not asked aid
The Executive by an appropriation to carry into effect
suggestion purpose of his relation foreign
course We called upon by this resolution under
uke ourselves the direction Of the foreign
this government to declare that the representatives
of American people, authorized to speak in their
their scntimensand request the Presi-
dent to direct them TO be communicated such the
French government by the American minister at Paris.
Now say the American people able to speak for
themselves They able manifest their sympa-
hes They doing it, sir from end of the Union
the oher and that is the proper for the sympahies of
done through that organ of the government whom
they have specially ntrsted with the duty Of conducting
their foreign intercourse When and how have they
delegated the power to speak in their relation
to the concerns OF foreign people
SIR if tender congratulations in the name of the
American peopct the republicans Of Fnce the achieve
ent of their liberties, can we not also tender the express
sion OF their regrets the down trodden subjects of other
empires who yet groan beneath the sceptre of despot
There many governments with whom we hold diplo
matte intercourse whose institutions little accordant
with the and wishes of the American people those
which have Just been sgnay overhown but have they
authorized Conkress express their dsapprobaon Of
those nauons To what Inconsistencies in the action Of
the government would not such course inevitably lead
To what arrangement the system established by the Exc
cuve conducting its foreign intercorrses BY what i'm
peec, lights would Congress necessarily be guided IN its
action in comparison with intelligence which
and confidential correspondence with ministers
abroad places all times the command of the President
appears me, therefore, to be obviously proper that
the Executive should take the initiative in all such pro-
ceedngs and uness he s under the necessity OF applying
Congress for appropriation to enable him to accom-
psh his purpose that Congress- should conne itself to the
legislative duties assigned to by the constitution BY the
second resolution the President requested transmit
this resolution the American minister Paris with in
strucons to present it to the French government"
Is this ask the first time the history Of this gov
that Congress has undertaken give instructions
to the President regard foreign incrcourse' If
there be any other instance record not aware of
know Of precet ent for such resolution but do
know that this matteof the interference of Congress with
the appropriate duties Of the Execuve-has been discussed
more than occasion, and the sentiments of both
Houses of Congress expressed against IT,
In 1920 President Monroe by a special message, COM
municaed his Congress in favor of the
recognition of the independence South American repuo
cs order he suggested, that should Congress
terrain similar sentiments there may be such cooperation
between the departments of the government their
respective rights and duties may require" What were
their respective rights and duties which the President
fered The right Of the Executive to recognise the exist
ece Of foreign governments and the right OF Congress TO
make withhold the appropriations necessary to enable
the Executive hold intercourse with those governments
When, therefore, Mr. Monroe invited the cooperation Of
congress- became matter of Legislation, ana OF
course proper subject for the action of Congress.
The message referred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations who reported resolution that the House OF
Representatives in the opinion expressed by the
President that the American provinces OF SPAN which nave
declared their independence ought to be recognised by the
United States independent States and that the Commit
tee Of Ways and Means bc instructed to report bill apPro
priatng exceeding one hundred thousand dollars
70 enable the President give due effect to such negotiation
30 too, in 1893 when Mr. Monroe, in his annual message
then Just emerging after similar struggle, from the cruel
oespousm which she had been for centuries subjected
distinguished Senator from introduced reso
luton that provision ought be made by law FOR defray
ing the expense incident the appointment OF an agent or
Greece whenever the President shall deem
hexpedent 10 make ouch appointment" II was treated,
sur asa matter entirely belonging the Executive, so Tar
regarded the intercourse between this government and