Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-04-01


pressing its opinion 50 memeatous maaer He would
prefer, however, that the resolution should be referred 1t
was simple in ITSELF and the Senate co retain possession Of
it. and &C, at lis pleasure the resolution he
had not done owitbout due He understood
the position he had assumed and tile sentiments in
the resolution had the fun acquiescenteof lbs henri and fn
MIR. HALE said he desired to offer amendment TO The
resolution When the subject under discussion in rea
ton TO sending the mission to the Papa domnions,
said that there nothing that required such missiona
was indefinite, loose but in this there something
tangible The French had taken stand which had not only
entitled them to the congratulations OF the American people,
but TO the whole civilized world. He would therefore
add after the word government in the resolution the follow
ing "manestng the sincerity of their purpose by the
cpaton Of the slaves in all their colonies ? that the
luton, if amended would read "That in the and be-
half OF the American people, the congratulations Of Congress
hereby rendered the people of France upon their
IN their recent efforts to consolidate liberty by embodying
its principles in republican form Of government maniiesng
the sincerity of their purpose by the emancipation of the slaves
in all their colonies J"
Mr. DOWNS spoke against the reference as unnecessary,
and preferred that day should be fixed suggested
the senator finn Ohio, (Mr. ALLES.)
Mr. CALHOUN could see necessity for reference Of
the resolution simple in ITSELF but he thought action
it in the way proposed premature, say the least
The French people had done much they had overhrown
powerful monarchy with great facility and without boo1shed
confusion. The time, he thought, had not yet arrived for
congratulations The French had decreed republic, but not
yet established If they showed themselves wise in
constructing they had been energetic in overhrowng all
would be well but if they failed, what would be the result
Under what government would they find themselves They
could not go back to constitutional monarchy, for that they
had oyerhown they could not rest astocacy, for
that had been repudiated There might be from with
and commissions Within and last France might find her
self in the embrace of military despot Whether this
TO be blessing remained to be To act
would be premature. No more sincerely loved
France than he did, but he desired watt to give her trial.
and she succeeded he believed that her example would be
followed by other nations OF Europe and that thrones would
-L-r -
liberty than any event that could have occurred Individuals
every where would give them sympathy; but if this Govern
should express itself in this solemn form, other Eu-
ropean Governments might in opposition He thought
the wses would be TO lay the resolution the table,
and he made that motion.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD asked the Senator to withdraw ii for
moment
Mr.. CALHOUN. | cannot consent.
Mr.. DICKINSON demanded the yeas and nays, which
ordered and the question having been taken there APP
peared for laying the resolution the table, follows
YEAS-Messrs Bagby Baldwin Benton Berrien, Butler,
Calhoun, Davis of Mississippi, Dayton, Hunter, Mansum,
Miller, Phelps, Upham, Yuee-li.
NAlS-Messrs Allen, Ashley Atchison Atherton Brad
bury Breese Cas Clayton Critenden, Davis, of Massachu
setts Dickinson, Dix Douglas Downs, Felch F'ote Hale,
Hsnnegan, Houston Johnson Of Maryland johnson, of Geor
ga Lewis, Moor Niles, Rusk, Spruahee Turrey, Under
wood, Westcott-2S.
Mr.. ALLEN did not want hasty expression of opinion,
but desired the cool and deliberate judgment Of the Senate
and would therefore move TO make il the special order for the
first Monday in May next.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD said he did not desire to stand in a
false position He concured most heartily in the sentiments
expressed by Mr. CALHOUN, but had voted against laying the
resolution the table because he might be considered OPP
posed His heart and feelings were with the French in
every step they had taken, but he agreed with the sentiments
expressed by the Senator from South Carolina that at this
time such expression would be premature In all the CT
forts heretofore made by the French people 10 establish liberty
they had failed, gnay failed. IF they now succeeded half
Europe would follow their example but they failed might
be that the republics generally would have depJre it.
He thought ought to wato look and what would
be the issue before made this public expression As ci
might do SO, and doubtless would but Congress
take the initiative would to his mind be premature He sug
gested Mr. ALLEN that later day would be appro-
PIRATE, the result could be known in this country
early the first day Of May He would, therefore, the
first Monday in June
Mr.. DOUGLAS spoke in opposition any postponement
Enough had already been done by the French people jus
ty the expression Of oil sympathes and congratulations
He did desire wait for the result before they were
pressed. They have made glorious beginning-one that
had struck with wonder-a despotism overhrown with
other weapons than the Marseies hymn and the cry Of
Down with the King and Ministry !" Weapons used
against the people, but they potent enough to resist
that soulnsprng song OF liberty, the Marsees hymn He
thought that wisdom and talent could have devised bet
ter than had been pursued by the French If he
cepted the old Continental Congress, of had dis
played more ability moro wisdom and moderation. What
credit would there be in Withholding congratulations until
had crowned their efforts Now the appropriate
time it would be grateful they needed it, He
for placing the merits OF their undertaking.
its They had jumped from comparative despomto
freedom. They bad dehroncd their King abolished the
nobility, and all hereditary distinctions they had given uni
versa suffrage they had brought together all classes and fac
tons, with the army, navy and citizens in band Of bro
therhood and while they acting in such manner he
would not withhold for the sympathies and
gratuaons Of Government For his part he had fear Of
any revolutions that might be BROUGHT bear What
did the people of France care for what Austria Prussia or
Russia might say But for what the republic Of America
might do they did And should We by Withholding
expressions OF sympathy, seek embaass their operations
dampcn their hopes He hoped not.
He spoke Of Minister, Mr. Rush, who had already Ia
ken the initiative, and expressed ia advance the sympahie
feelings and sentiments Of the American people, aud that
would i'll become 10 lag behind him.
Mr. ALLEN expressed himself as only ready but de-
srous above all things TO have prompt action the resou
ton He concurred most heartily in all that had been said by
the Senator from Illinois, r. DoueLAs and wished him 10
understand that In naming the day he had for taking the
resolution, he actuaed by any such motive waiting
Cor their ultimate II he had been, he should have
named day more remote.
Mr. DOUGLAS did not to attribute AIRY such motive
Mr. ALLEN continued, and said that consulting with
his friends, in favor Of early day, others of
later and he had taken medium, to give the subject
all the advantages Of due deberaton and mature thought
He would now, however, the first Monday in April
and the might first be taken that period and If the
Senate saw fit to change IL, we'll
Mr. HANNEGAN said there was Executive business of
some importance and he would that the further con-
derson OF this subject be postponed until tomorrow, and
that the Senate proceed to the consideration OF Executive
business
Pending this there was doubt entertained who
had the floor, Mr.. FooTE Mr. HASSEGAS-ihc point
81 -. NJ.