The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-22
REMARKS of MIR, II. v. JOHNSON
GEORGIA,
On the resolutions of cogratation 10 the French people

On the resolutions of congraatton 10 The French people
In SENATE APRIL g. lS4s
The resolutions of congrauaon to the people of France
being under consideration,
Mr.. JOHNSON said As can see no good reason for
the postponemen of the resolutions of congra,uaon 10
France Introduced by the honorable Senator from Ohio,
Mr. ALLEN, and those introduced by the Committee on
Foreign Relations shall for the action of the Senate
upon them
What shall we gain by delay The principal indeed the
only urged by Senators the way is that
the convention meet the Goth of the present month
and that we should therefore until the result of
deliberations shall be known, that may judge how far
the efforts of the French people TO establish republican
government will be successful That this desirable
readily edmt But if should withhold the expression OF
congratulations until France shall have fully succeeded
she would scarcely need sympathes, would reflect
much creat upon as to tender them The organization OF
republican government not the work of day month
II may and perhaps will require years for the people of
France establish government which will exhibit the
the world the evidences of permanence and stability The
transition from monarchy her present attitude has indeed
taken place with rapidy which wonderful and
sublime. But TO insure success for the experiment. much
is yet be DONE constitution be framed and adapt
ed the character genius and condition of the people of
France. Ancient preudces and customs be
come ong-estabshed forms to be remodelled welseuled
social habits to be oblieraIed, and a word, the entire
of the population to be ndoctrnated the great prn
cples of selfgovenmen and fused into harmonious and
welegulated organization Can all this be plished
within the appointed for meeting of the French
convention They have the light of experience il
umine their path they only that which reflect
that will afford them bat partial assistance. Why,
our government established under circumstances far
favorable than those by which the people
of France surrounded The principles of freedom
which based planted this soil by the Pilgrim
fathers They grew. with the growth and strengthened
with the strength of people the colonies. They ami
mated under all the difficulties and of
colonial dependence. They nerved their the srug
giles of the Revolution They fired the patriotism and
guided the councils of the convention which framed our
constitution Our government the wisest in It's provisions
the symmetrical its propoi tons, and all respects
the best calculated to liberty of that Is record
ed the pages of history. Thus far has proved
successful and its machinery has operated with beautiful
harmony Yet sir ourselves characterized it, for
than fifty years, experiment The nations of Europe
still consider it experiment. and are ondly dreaming
that WILL at last to be but splendid failure Cap
be expected them that France under circumstances so
much less favorable shall succeed in few short weeks or
months For many long generations France has been
accustomed to view monarchy by Divine right, the
only legitimate form of government The habits OF the
people, their social oganzaon their modes Of thought and
feeling have all borrowed their cast and impress from the
of royalty and they have been taught regard
disloy a the very idea Of sefgovernmen Their con-
don differs from ours another important respect We
separated by the wide from all other govern
mens and we're, therefore, free from their Inermeddng
and eaouses But France is fanked all sides by des
potc governments who feel sympathy with her IN her
Struggles but who would rather rejoice her relapse
back into the embrace of desposm Under these circum
stances, repeat, it cannot ba supposed that In few
months she present the world organized republic
dispensing all the blessings of happiness and wel-reguaed
freedom me- therefore, Mr. President that, to
delay as long advocated by the Senator from New
Jersey Mr. DAYroN,l far from securing the object
which he desires would be to defer congratulations to
time when France will need them and would be no
credit tender them. Hence, If be proper for our
government any event. give any expression In relation
the attitude which France has assumed, there Is no
controlling why that expression should be delayed
or why it should not be given at once
Is proper then, that this should tender Its
congratulations the occasion under consider Upon
the first Introduction of these resolutions, did entertain
doubt this point that is to say. my judgment did
not fully second the impulses Of my heart. That
doubt rested upon the fact that had official nforma
ZION of the great which have burst suddenly upon
the world The accounts which had then received from
France, such only had reached us through the
medium of the public We bad not at that ume been
officially informed that anything had TRANSFERRED there
doubted whether it fully comported with the dignity of
this government to take OF events Of thus chaac
whether well founded not (and disposed TO think
no entirely removed by the message of the Pres
dent communicating the official action of Mr. Rush, and its
approval by the Executive by which he recognised the
existence of the government and rendered the sympa
hies and good wishes Of the American people That mes
and accompanying documents have been referred to
the Committee Foreign Relations and that committee
has reported upon them Thus far then, government
committed the sentiments expressed in these resou
tons; the subject is before proper official form and
the question and more focible aspect Be-
fore the receipt of this message the resolutions stotd en-
rey their merits that is to say, they presented
the isolated question of the proprey of their passage and
their rejection could have received no other Interpretation
the civilized world than that of doubt of the proprey
of passing them this time. But now their rejection Will
operate upon the conduct of Mr. Rush and to
censure him, would amount we-pish to Il of the
French people am the American Senate prepared
for no which might be tortured into such
structon trust aso that this message will produce the
effect upon the mind of the honorable Senator from
Connecticut mr. BALDWIN, and upon the minds of those
who agree with him, that It has upon my own for his
leading objection the resolutions was that the pro-
of the Executive take the initiative In proceedings
of this character That has been DONE Inc only
question u.s. do really feel in hearts the sen
expressed these resouions DO we rejoce at the
creation OF republic the ruins of monarchy IN France
If we have feelings have the unquestonable right
10 express them here elsewhere and If both Houses of
Congress them, may lmbody them into the
form of resolutions and offer them France to cheer her
in her of trial. and evnce the deep socude of the
American people behalf of the of republican liberty
And can there be doubt that such the feelings and
wishes of the people' What these public gatherings
the almost unanimous expressions of the press
throughout the wide of country They but
the echoes of the popular voice.
But the honorable Senator from New Jersey Mr.. Day
roN doubts the poprety of passing these
resolutions another ground. He says the fare
we'll advice of Washington that should avoid all inter-
ference with European politics, and adhere strictly to the
policy of non-incrvention. 1t rue and the same
policy promulgated again, in form more authentic, oy
Mr. Monroe 1929 when he proclaimed that any attempt
part of European nations extend their system Of
monarchy the States Of this continent would DC regarded
other light than the exhibition OF an unfrendy
disposition towards the United States. This policy thus
proclaimed has received the sanction OF all parties IN the
United States; and hazard nothing IN asserting that
xed and unaiterabe therefore, am disposed
10 acou,esce with that Senator maintaining fullest
extent Il does not interfere with the political
ars of other nations The golden rule is applicable;
sbould do unto others would they should do
If we will not tolerate ntermcddlng with u.s. not
| ,nhors Rttvy m .nft III,