Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-01-23
Mr.. Clay's speech,
On Mg. Casss Resolution TO 4 isc ont imue di.
p1Omatic intercourse with Austria, de-
Iivered in the senate, January Z, 1850.


pioaaaiic intercourse with Austria, de-
iivered in the senate, January Z, 1850
Mr.. Clay. The appeal, sir. which was
made the other day by the honorable Sen
ator from Michigan to me, to aid him in
sustaining the proposition which he has
thought proper to submit, entities him
from the great respect bear him. arising
from the long acquaintance that has sub
sisted between US, to a response. My
worthy friend expressed a very confident
expectation that | would succor him and
support the resolution that he has submit
ted Oh this occasion.
lie was pleased to express. in very con-
fident language, his expectation of my
support upon this occasion. He express
ed in still stronger language his confiden,
anticipation OF the support Of the Ameri-
can people; and he will excuse me for
saying that. there being these two sourc-
es of qualification to him. think the lat
ter will be admitted to be much more a
greeable than the qualification TO be at
torded by any aid or assistance that
could render in the passage Of the reso-
luton that he has proposed.
Sir, the proposition which he has sub
its original form or upon the amend'nen,
which is proposed to it. is grave and Sc
rious proposition, as all propositions are
connected with the foreign affairs of this
country. The proposition is that the
ted to inquire into the expediency Of sus-
pending diplomatic relations with Aus
tria. The worthy member in front Of me
Mr.. Ilalc) proposes to comprehend Rus
sia also. 1t proposes the inquiries not
merely in reference to any representative
Of this country in Austria. nor in respect
to any representative Of Austria in this
country. 1t proposes not the recall Of a
minister Of our own. but il accomplishes
not only his recall. but the sending out Of
the country the minister of Austria who
is here.
Sir. it is very true il is put in the shape
Of an inquiry. and why was it put in that
shape? 1t is not like the ordinary case Of
a private or local matter. in which the
Senate cannot be presumed to be in pos
session Of all facts connected Wits the
case-in which it may be exped,ent. IN
order 10 ascertain them. to iefrr the mat
ter to a committee for investigation. and
have a report made by that committee TO
the Senate. All the facts upon which the
honorable Senator bases his proposition
are. in their nature. historical. They re-
late to the war conducted by Austria a
gainst Hungary. to the rights of Hungary
as an independent and integral portion
Of that empire, TO the manner in which the
war was conducted. to the manner in
which punshments have been inflicted
upon those who unfortunately fell within
the power of Austria. All these. sir, are
matters Of an historical nature. not requi-
ring the investigation Of committee
They are known to the Senate: and it is
my humble opinion that the proposition
which is now before us ought to be pre-
sented exactly as if it were direct and
positive requirement Of the suspension Of
diplomatic intercourse with Austria. Sir,
have great confidence in the members
of the committee to which it is proposed
to address this inquiry; should have been
extremely glad to have heard from my
honorable friend from Alabama, and to
have known whether, in his mature and
experienced judgment, in his superior
knowledge Of all matters connected with
our foreign relations the proposition now
under consideration does or does not
meet his appreciation. should be great
ly disappointed if he had given it any
previous, or would bestow upon it any
subsequent concurrence. But, sir, tho
have the greatest confidence in him and
the other gentlemen Of the committee.
think he will concur with me in supposing
that it is not fit subject Of inquiry by a
committee. The facts are national; they
are historical; they are known to the
whole world. and we are just as much
prepared now to say whether diplomatic
intercourse should be suspended with
Austria and Russia-for Russia. too. is
named-as we shall be after the most
elaborate report that can be prepared al
ter the most laborious research by the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Sir. think that the question ought to
be treated as if it were direct proposition
to suspend diplomatic intercourse with
the Power indicated in the original reso-
luton. And, sir have been at frs. very
much struck with the want Of sympathy
between the premises and conclusion of
the honorable Senator from Michigan
In his premises he depicted the enormi-
ties Of Austrian despo,ism. Who doubts
the preparation Of those enormities! In
the most glowing strains of eloquence he
portrayed to US the wrongs Of suffering
Hungary. Who doubts them! He
speaks Of the atrocious executions COM
mitted by her-the disgrace Of the age,
and. above all. Of Austria. Who doubts
it! These were the premises of the hon.
orable Senator, but what was his conclu-
sion! 1t was requiring the recall Of a lit
tie charge d'affaires that we happen to
have at Vienna. Why. the natural con-
clusion would be to declare war immedi.
ately against Austria. if she had commit
ted such enormities: though. from the i'm
possibility Of coming in contact with her.
this resource might be difficult Of accom-
plishment. But, sir, there is another
mode that is much more congenial. much
more compatible with the course we ought
to take. The exiles from suffering and