The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-04-15
Congressional,

/ were received from the President, among them
enclosng"a copy Of dispatch with accompanying
documents, received at the Department Of State, :
from our Minister at Paris, 'giving official infor.
nation ofthe overthrow of the French monarchy
and the establishment in its stead Of Provisiona
Government, based on Republican principles"
On motion Of Mr.. Hannegan, the message ant
documents were referred to the committee on for
eign relations, and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Allen now moved that the resolutions ol
congratulation to the French people, be taken uE
for consideration. Disagreed to.
House.--Aher some unimportant business, Z
message was received from the President of tht
United States, and read as follows: ana II
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.:
communicate to Congress, for their informa
ton, copy Of a dispatch with the accompanying
documents, received at the Department of State
from the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plen
ipotentiary of the United States, at Paris, giving
official information the overthrow OF the French
monarchy, and the establishment in its stead of 9
provisional government, based on republican prin
ciples. s'. " "...'
The great event occurred suddenly, and was &C!
complished almost without bloodshed The world
has seldom witnessed more interesting and sub
lime spectacle, than the peaceful rising Of the
French people, resolved to secure for themselves
enlarged liberties and to assert in the majesty o
their strength the great truth that, in this enght
ened age, man i, capable Of governing himself.
The prompt recognition oi the new government
by the Representative of the United States at the
French Court, meets my full and unqualified ap
probation, and he has been authorised, in q suita.
BILE msnner to make known this fact to the consti.
tuted authorities of the French Republic. a.,f
Called upon to act upon sudden emergency,
which could not have bsen anticipated by his in.
structions, he judged rightly Of the feelings and
sentiments of his Government, and OF his country
men, when in advance of the diplomatic represen.
tatives of other countries. he was the FIRST to re.
cognise, so far as it was in his power, the free
government established by the French people.
The pollcy of the United States has ever been
that of fnonintervention in the domestic affairs Of
other countries--leaving to each to establish the
| form Of government OF its own choice. While
this wise policy will be maintained towards France,
now suddenly transferred from monarchy into a
republic, all our sympathies are natualy enlisted
on the side Of great people, who, initiating our
example, have resolved to be free That such
sympathy should exist on the part of the people Of
the United States with the friends of free govern.
ment in every part Of the world, and especially in
France, is not remarkable. We can never forget
that France was our early friend in our eventfuI
revolution, and generously aided Us in shaking of
foreign yoke, and becoming free and indepen.
dent people. ...
We have enjoyed the blessings Of our system Of
well regulated self government for near three.
fourths of century, and can properly appreciate
its value. Onr ardent and sincere congratulations
are extended 10 the patriotic people Of France up
pn their noble. and thus far successful efforts to
found for their future government, liberal institu.
tions, similar TO our own. '"r %.
1t is not doubted that, under the benign infu.
ence of free institutions, the enlightened statesmen
of Republican France will find It to be for her true
interest and permanent glory 10 cultivate with the
United States the most liberal principles Of inter.
national interc curse and commercial reciprocity,
whereby the happiness and prosperity of both ma.
tions will be promoted. . ....... .. ....
JAMES X. Polk.
Washington, April 3d. 1913.
Mr.. Cummings moved that the rules be suspen.
ded to enable him to introduce the following res
olutions, and they were suspended-ayes l2I.
nays 81:
Resoiued, That il becomes the people of the
United States to rejoice that the sentiment Of sy
government is commenting itself to the fav orabe
consideration and adoption OF the intelligent and
thinking men of all enlightened nations.
Resolued, That the only legitimate source of
political pow er is the will Of the people. and the
only rigItful end Of its exercise-their good.
Resolved, That we sincerely hope that down.
trodden humanity may succeed in breaking down
all forms of tyranny and oppression, and in the
establishment of free and national governments
for the good of the governed, and not for the ag-
grandsement Of those who govern.
Resolued, That we tender our warmest sympa.
thies to the people Of France and Italy in their
struggle for reform, and sincerely hope that they
may, succeed in establishing free and constitution.
al governments, emanating from and based upon
the will CT the governed, suited TO their wants and
condition, and such will secure to them liberty
and safety. .. .a'.- ,tt..
ResOlUed, That we tender our sympathies and
hopes Of success to every people who are seeking
to establish for themselves free and national gov.
ernments, and that whatever Of blood and treasure
may be shed or split in struggle of the oppressed
against the oppressor. is to be charged to the un.
just resistance Of the oppressor, who strives to hold
and exercise the rights of the people, usurped a.
gainst their WILL and exercise for the benefit of the
few and the oppression Of the many, and not to
the people who seek only 10 regain and exercise
their natural rights in such manner as will best
secure and promote their own happiness and safe
ty.
After various amendments were offered, the