The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-25

own tongue, we cannot print in every tongue
which is spoken. II you print messages In the diff
terent languages which are spoken in our country,
there would be a stronger necessity for printing
the laws. The laws must be obeyed and, to be
obeyed, we must print them in language to be
read.
Mr.. WINTHROP was understood to say that, as
the House had adopted no rules, under the parlia-
mentary law the vote could not bc reconsidered.
Mr.. BAYLY moved to lay tht resolutions and
amendments ON the table. II that should be done
il could be followed up by another resolution to
print the message and accompanying documents.
Mr.. MORSE, of Louisiana, said that he repre-
sented u constituency large portion of whom
spoke the French Language, yet he would not vote
for the proposition to have the message printed in
that language, because, in addition to the argument
of the gentleman there was another and important
one omitted. 1t should be the object of this Gov
ernment, as far as IT cam TO endeavor TO make those
who seek home among Us americans in every
sense of the word. IL the House undertakes 10 fur
nish Executive documents and reports, and pro-
ceedings in foreign languages Is done in of
the States, those persons who cling with tenacty
their mother tongue will transmit to their children
the preudices which they had when they crossed the
water. He asked the House if they meant TO insist
! on printing the message in the German language.
II 80, he trusted that they would permit him to
that it be also printed in the French language,
! the court language of Europe-the language of
Voltaire. The people of Louisiana, if any people,
ought to have it in that language, which is there
much spoken.
| Mr. ROOT inquired if FIVE thousand copies only
be printed in that language, how many copies
would each member gct'
Mr.. MORSE replied, that he discussing the
question of principle. 1t mattered not if only one
copy was given to every member. 1t a solemn
and serious question, whether this was good policy.
He did not approve of the policy thus to make po-
litical capital, else he would have moved TO have
the message printed in French for the Louisianians
speak that language. He opposed to this, be-
cause he desired every foreigner to be acquainted
! with the language of the country-that spoken by
Americans. The Legislature of Louisiana, where
half the people speak French, have refused to print
the laws in the French language; thinking by this
means, the people would be induced to learn the
| English
Mr.. BURT moved that the House adourn but
withdrew his motion at the request of
/ The SPEAKER, who laid several executive com
municatons before the House; one of them the an
nual report of the Secretary of the Treasury
| Mr.. VlNTON said it important that the
usual number of the report should be printed, and
additional copies
Mr.. JONES inquired what was the usual number?
Mr.. VINTON replied, the number which had
been printed for several years past.
The SPEAKER said that the usual number was
thirteen hundred and eighty, and the extra ten
I thousand
Without acting on this and the resolution to print
the message,
The House, at few minutes past o'clock, ad
Journed until Thursday next