Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-01-29

the honorable Senator observed: alt ought
To animate US TO desire the redemption Of the
minds and bodies of unborn millions from the
brutslizing effects Of system whose tendeu-
cy is to stife the faculties ot the soul. and
TO degrade man TO the level Of bessts.''
Sir, thank both ofthese Senators for these
expressions. | coul1 rot have given utter
ance 10 them myself; and even il | had teen
able To- express them with the same force
snd eIoquence. il would have been regarded
as enthusiasm, or perhaps fsnstlcism, com
ing from my mouth. IL is difieren, matter
now, sir.
Again, speaking ofthose discussions which
have taken place. the honorable ScaStos says
"There ia no a mericsn true TO the political
faith OF our fathers who does not sincerely
desire The renovation of the latter, and the
renovation Of the oppressed masses to the
rights and dignity Of human nature
Now. sir. that is out spoken, There are
no political rights here spoken OF; there are
no conventional rights spoken of, there are
no rights mentioned which are spoken Of by
the constitution; but the honorable Senator
takes the higher. the holier view, and looks
10 the relation which man sustains 10 his
Maker, and speaks of those rights which have
been "confeued by God" bat "wrested'
from many of the human family "by man."
Now, sir. 10 all these sentiments most ear
nestiy, most cordially agree; and ] do hope
that, under no circumstances, and IN no emer-
gency, will that honorable Senator, for whom
| entertain the most profound respect and the
greatest regard, under no circumstances, IN
no contingency, | hope will he ever permit
himselfto turn TO the right or the left Of the
line which these sentiments most clearly iU-
dicate. And. SIR, if he will stand by those
sentiments, irrespective OF all extraneous con.
siderations; if he will to-day throw himselfin-
TO the scale, and pledge his fortunes and his
truth TO the sustentaiion Of those sentiments,
confidently predict that ne shall procure for
himself a reputation with those "unbo,n mill
ions" compared with which his present repu-
tation. high as il is, shall fade away into OBJ
scurity.
Well, sir, agreeing with the honorable Sen
stor 10 the principles he has laid down. and
being highly gratlfed at the manner in which
they have been svowed, let me ask what il
is that the honorable Senator proposes TO do!
He proposes shat the committee oD Foreign
Relations be instructed 10 inquire into the
expediency Of suspending diplomatic rela-
tions with Austria" ] confess l wish some
other word had been used there rather than
"expediency" IL does not seem TO me that
for this great moral scheme "expediency"
is exactly the word. would rather have in
roduced the word "propriety," or ''necessi-
ty," or duty" or "obligAtion." This word
"expediency' has bad repatstion. be-
lieve there is scarcely another word 10 worse
oder with the American people generalIy.un-
less il be the word "svsilsbility." "Expedi-
ency" Ia other words, twill il be proffita-
bIel shall we gain any thing by it!" And
the honorable Senator goes on 10 explain this
by say Jog that our commercial relations with
Austria are exceedingly small amounting on
ly TO few hundred thousand dollars; thus
making it clear to our fellow citizens OF A
merca that they can afford a good deal Of
indignation. aud 1t vii. cost them very little
sum. Laughter.] Iwishsome other word
had been used-thst this word "expediency"
had been left out; that The question: had been
placed on the high grounds OF morality, and
proprieiy, and duty; and possibly, ifIhe res
olution is to be adopted may move to strike
out the word "expedeDcy," and insert "mor-
al necessity" or duty" or something Of that
sort, which will show that we are not caIcu-
ldting little too closely how this resolution
will affect us in commercial or other point
of view. Now, sir, the obvious design of the
resolution is that II should carry with il a
moral effect. But ask you what will be the
effect! There are the Hungarians now suf-
ierlng every deprivation which can befsl them;
perhaps, in Turkey, and others scattered
throughout the different European States.-
And suppose our minister goes TO them 10
their desolatiou and merely tells them to
cheer up, to be Of good courge, your cause is
not without advocates; something is being
done for you; the sympathies of the world
are being moved in your behalf; and the Sen
ate Of the American republic are engaged n-
Curing, this very day y, how much it will cost
10 exhibit a ltrle Indignation in your behal f''
| Laughter. That will be the point OF view
IN which tins matter will GO to them, IL we
adopt this resolution aud make this question
a question OF "expedency." | hope, sir,
that II will not go ir that shape, but that if
this resolution is 10 pass, II be put 10 some
what different form.
Mr. FooTE. ] believe, Mr.. President.
that the general acceptaliou ofthe word ''cx-
pediency" is "propTie,y." OF hthess; and |
believe il so understood wherever the Eng
lish language is known. ] see nothing in
this word 10 make question about.
Mr.. HALE. IL Is not my purpose to 60 in
10 dictionary contest with the honorable
Senator from Mississippi for do not go in
to phiology; GO for the plain schoolmaster
meaning Of the word. Now, what do we pro-
pose to dol We propose 10 Greet ourselves
into a high court. Courts, sir, have various
names; there are courts OF law. courts Of
equity. courts martial, and courts OF concil-
iation; and il is now proposed TO make us
high court Of indignation, and we ave to ar
raign the nations Of the earth before US, and
pronounce judgment upon them; not only
the judgment Of the present day, but, in the
words Of the honorable Senator. we are TO
anticipate the judgment OF pos;erity. And,
sir. what are the offences FOR which they be
suaigued and put upon their ,risll They
are to be araigned, rs we find in the honora-
bic Senator's speech; we are 'io rebuke, by
public opinion expressed through an esiab-
lIshed Government in the name OF great re-
put lie. atrocious aeis Of despotisrn, by which
human liberty aud life have been sacrificed,