The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-21
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
TnunsDAY. December 20, 1919,
SENATE
REV. MR.. MATHEW.

The resolution offered yesterday by MIR. WALKER,
| proposing that Father j. Mathew, during his So
ourn in this city, be allowed the privilege of seat
| within the bar of the Senate, being in order
| Mr.. CLEMENS said that the reasons why he had
ON yesterday objected to this resolution were, that
the person upon whom II was proposed by the reso-
luton TO confer the great and unprecedented honor,
| had been charged with having on former occa-
| sion denounced one portion OF the people OF this
Union with being little better than pirates or muir
| derers. He had signed paper charging the people
of the South with crimes scarcely less than those
| mentioned. He had been addressed by several tenn
perancc societies at the South, III relation To this
| matter, and had either not answered, or had re-
fused TO allow his answers to be published. Those
| answers, though not published, were of such a
character as TO induce HIM TO oppose this resolution
| The sentiments expressed by Father Mathew in re-
| lation to slavery had not been retracted, and MIR.
c. could not vote for this resolution. Therefore ii
was that he had objected yesterday, and would vote
| against il to-day. He was one who did not con-
slider slavery sin or crime, and he felt bound TO
meet those who so denounced it, by refusing at
| least to honor them for their sentiments.
Mr. CLAY viewed with the greatest regret the
| opposition TO this resolution. II was very small
| affair; it was the bestowal of a compliment on a
distinguished and highly meritorious stranger,
who doubtless would most highly appreciate it;
| yet it an affair Of such Importance to
require such an opposition? In all the affairs
| of human life, social well POLITICAL he
| had remarked that courtesies of a small and
trivial character are the which strike deep
est 10 tne SrateIuu ana approaching HeaTt, IL
| is the picayune compliments which are most APP
preciated; far more are they appreciated than the
doube-eagle ones which we sometimes yield. So
it with regard to this resolution. 1t very
small courtesy the Senate was called upon to extend,
| and it would be priced by the noble phianthro-
pist as far greater compliment than any other in
their power To bestow. 1t was, viewing it III an
other light, resolution of homage to humanity,
philanthropy, and virtue tribute to a man who,
by his own peaceful efforts, had effected great
cial revolution-a revolution in which no lives had
been sacrificed no widows mothers tears had
followed. II was compliment to such man, and
who could any objection to its bestowal! The
objection of the Senator upon the grounds stated,
and the introduction of this topic of slavery upon
all subjects, and particularly upon such one as
the present, he thought highly impohtic, unwisc,
and unnecessary Why should that subject be in
troduced upon such motion as this' 1t was merely
a resolution complimentng the man who had
achieved by his moral influence an important and
widespread work of charity and bencvolence. Fa-
ther Mathew, for his labors in the great cause
of temperance in Ireland, where he had redeemed
from degrading vice thousands Of his fellow
countrymen, and earned a fame forever to endure,
deserved the esteem and friendship of the friends
OF virtue every where. He had come to this coun-
try to carry out the noble mission. Mr.. c..
had learned, from the publications of the day,
that while at Boston the Abolitionists had endea
vored to engage Father Mathew to enlist in their
cause upon this subject. From this and other cir
cumstances, MIR. c. had understood that change
had taken place in the opinions of Father Mathew,
and that he stood before the country unbiased
IN his sentiments. Be this as 1t may, he submitted
10 Senators, was 1t wise, polite, just or proper,
that this subject of slavery should be introduced
upon every subject? He submitted whether, when
the whole country was ready to meet this man with
open arms 1t was just and proper to refuse this tn
fling compliment to the great good Father Mathew,
the noble philanthropist and true Irish patriot?
Mr.. SEWARD said that it was rarely that men
ever agreed upon the merits Of the living, or ever
differed upon doing justice to the dead. Around
t1l those
who were dead, and who did not prize them. Mon
uments erected to perpetuate their memories, vir
tues and patriotism. To the living cannot erect
monuments to encourage them in their efforts; but
this resolution very dierent it one upon which
we can all unite in passing compliment without
offence to any. This resolution is a tribute to
worth and virtue. 1t conveys that homage to a
benefactor of his that marble cannot hear,
and marble cannot feel. There could be no danger
in our committing error in showing this tribute
TO a who has shown himself devoted to the
blest attributes of philanthropy and mercy. The
efforts of Father Mathew in Ireland, and his exer-
tonsin the cause of temperance-his amelioration
of the condition and character of great people,
connected 10 US by so many ties of friendship and
consangulnty, recommended TO every people who
could feel the force of SO exalted character. He
would cheeriully Join in this homage to virtue and
| bcnevolence. If the Senator from Alabama felt
bound TO vote against this resolution because Father
Mathew held opinions against slavery, he (Mr. So
could not but consider that those views the part
were an honor TO him, and should be considered ra-
ther as a merit than otherwise. IL slavery was
sin, or crime, or offence violation of any
right, none Of the present day were responsible for
Its introduction amongst us. Yet he could not con-
sent that this resolution comforting this honor
should be rejected because the person named enter
tanned such an opinion.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi, was glad that the
Senator from New York had placed this resolution
on the true ground of Father Mathews opinions Of
slavery; that the Senator had placed its passage
upon the ground that Father Mathew opposed
10 slavery; and now the question was, will the SEN
| ate Of the United States honor British emissary
who comes amongst US, perhaps, TO scatter dscord
| and confusion? There time when every
| American heart would beat loudly at such pro-
! posal; and were the sons Of srcs who held such
thing with feelings of horror and alarm, to sit
| quietly when such thing not only proposed
! but advocated! This Mr.. Mathew held opinions
| adverse 70 the institutions of the South and be-
cause he did 40, the Senator from New York advo-
Gated our bestowing upon him an honor never con-
ferred upon any man save Lafayette. lie intended
by his opposition TO this resolution not 10 reflect in
| the least, upon the character and esteem which
should follow Father Mathew for his great efforts
| IN the great cause Of temperance. lie esteemed
j him as highly any one for his labors in that
cause. He allowed him all the credit claimed for
him on that account. But the question really was,
whether the United States Senate shall extend TO
foreigner, who was the ally Of O'Connell in his eff
forts 10 effect an abolition of slavery in this
try, an honor before conferred upon a citizen
Of our own country He would never, by his vote,
sanction such proceeding If, as the Senator from
Kentucky had said, Father Mathew had changed
his sentiments upon this subject, why did he not
say so, and why did he refuse 10 allow his letters
written IN response TO such inquiries, to be pub
| lshed! lie honorcd the efforts Of Father Mathew
| in his own unfortunate country, ireland, and fully
appreciated all he had done; but he the ally of
o'Connell in AN appeal 10 his countrymen in this
country 10 interfere in Institutions. Every
lrishman was dear to him, (Mr. ID. l-dear TO him
az brother but for O'ConRel and his horde of
sociatc AboItionists, whether foreign domestic,
! he felt no other feeling but scorn and contempt II
| he had the power, he would not only refuse them
admission to the Senate chamber, but he would go
further and exclude every Aboltionist foreign and
| domestic, from the chamber.
Mr.. WALKER said that when he offered this re-
solution yesterday, he hao heard Of the sent
ments that had been attributed TO the Rev. Mr.. Ma
thew. And, even If he had, il would not have at
fccted his motive in doing. lie had looked at the
| reverend gentleman in no other light than phi
| lanthropist who had come 10 our land on the holy
mission Of peace. He regretted the introduction OF
slavery into the discussion Of every little affair that
| came before the Senate. lie satisfied that no
good could result from il, either 10 the Senate u
the country or 10 any subdivision Of the country.