The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-05

learned TO hate oppression in an Austrian dungeon,
where, while he lost his health, he learned also to
prize the value of liberty, and in the solitude OF his
CELL TO devote himself 10 her And nobly did
he fulfil his mission, till domestic treachery and
Russian power Frustrated the hopes of freedom, and
he driven to seek shelter from the vengeance OF
Christian Powers within the dominion OF the sue
cessor Of the impostor of Mecca. And then was ex-
hbited that sontemptuous disregard Of the feelings
of the world powerfully described by the Senator
from Massachusetts,, in the demand upon an indie
pendent nation, that the expatriated leader, with
his little band Of faithful followers should be sur
rendered TO the enemies of his country holocaust
upon the altar Of despotism. The civilized world
watched with anxious suspense the progress and
issue of this demand, insolent as it was wicked,
upon the Turkish government 1t is twelve years
since the present Sultan, then lad sitting by
the side of his father, the great Osmanlis reformer
crossed the Bosphorus, in splendid caique, sur
rounded with all the imposing pageantry OF East
ern magnifcence. Little did then anticipate that
the lovers of freedom throughout the world, would
ever look to the heir Of the Othmans to Chris
tan patriots from the fangs of Christian monarchs
We do not know the threats that were menaced, nor
the inducements offered; but both the one and the
other were no doubt proportional TO the intensity
Of the passions to be guted by the surrender of the
victims. But the effort was vain. The Divan,
faithful to the traditions of Eastern hospitality if
not to the obligations Of the law of nations firmly
refused the delivery of the ugtives and thus spared
US another "deluge of blood''-to use the words of
the great Roman historian-in this sad drama OF a
nations overthrow The latest accounts we have
from the East inform that this extraordinary
contest between Russian arrogance and Turkish
inhexibility was yet going on, with no prospect OF
amcable solution Of the question; and this wan
ton violation of the most sacred rights may yet fur
nish pretext for the march of another Russian ar
N.Y. and of another attempt to drive the Turks from
Europe, and to seize Constantinople. The Mahom-
etan has shown himself better Christian than the
Russian, and has won the appreciation of an en-
lightened age Success be with him in such war
fare!
But, sir, with their powerful sympathes for HUI
man suffering, the people of this country, though
ardently attached to the principles Of Irrational iber-
ty, are no political propagandists. They do not
undertake to judge what forms of government are
best adapted to the condition Of the other nations Of
the earth; and least of ALL to attempt the establish
ment elsewhere of their own To maintain that
practical freedom cannot be enjoyed under con-
stitutional monarchy, would be to contradict our
own observation and the experience of some of the
most enlightened nations Of the earth. We know
that republic is best for and therefore we have
it. Let those who believe that constitutional mon
archy is best for them enjoy it without the dicta
ton of any other power; but between governments
like these and the despotism which overshadows-
overwhelms, may say-some of the fairest por-
tons of the old world; where power is the only rule
Of right for the governors and obedience the only
resource for the governed, there is difference as
marked and as wide as is their difference in their
effects upon the character and progress and pros
perity of man. The former, when they fulfil their
legitimate duties, commend themselves to our good
wishes and respect. There is no American, true
to the political faith Of fathers, who does not
sincerely desire the renovation of the latter, and
the restoration Of the oppressed masses to the rights
and dignity Of human nature.
Here is an empire of freemen, separated by the
broad Atlantic from the contests of force and oPin
ion, which seem 10 succeed each other like the
waves of the ocean, in the mighty changes going
on in Europe; twenty millions of people enjoying
a measure Of prosperity which God, in his provi-
dence, has granted to no other nation of the earth.
With no interest to warp their judgment; with
neither prejudice animosty to excite them;
and with public opinion free the air they
breathe, they survey these events dispassion
ately as is compatible with that natural sympathy
for the oppressed which is implanted in the human
breast
Think you not, sir, that their voice, sent from
these distant shores, would cheer the unfortunate
onward in their work.-would encourage them
while bearing their evils, to bear them bravely
sure no longer to be borne TO exert themselves as
men who peril all upon the effort But where
demonstration of interest, on the part of govern
ment, is called for by circumstances, sound pub
lie opinion is ready to proclaim its sentiments, and
no reserve is imposed upon their expression.
II is common to this country, and to every coun-
try, where liberal institutions prevail and it is
powerful and as powerfully exerted in France and
in England, in the United States. It's effects
may not be immediate Immediately visible; but
they are sure TO come, and to come in power. Its
voice is louder than the booming of cannon and it
is heard on the very confines Of civilization.
Our declaration of Independence has laid the
foundation of mghtier changes in the world than
any event since the spirit Of the crusades precpi
tated Europe upon Asia, with jealous but mistaken
views of religious duty.
The very last packet has brought us the London
Times, of December Z, which contains an address
TO Lord John Russell and 10 Lord Palmcrston, from
eighty three members Of the English Houses Of
Lords and Commons, requesting the interference
OF the British government TO endeavor 10 restrain
that OF Austria from further butchery; for that. in
plain words, is the design Of the movement. ] beg
leave TO read this paper, which, though drawn with
some reserve the better probably 70 attain the OBJ
ject leaves doubt Of the opinion of the sgners,
respecting the condition Of Hungary, and the char
acter of the events which placed her there.
1--WE the undersigned, desire 10 express TO your
lordships, and through your lordships TO the rest
Of her majcsty's confidential servants, the deep in
terest which we have taken in The contest which has
been recently carried on between the Hungarian
nation and the emperor Of Austria.
"Not less deep is the interest which take
in the final settlement Of the question nj issue be-
tween them, and in the permanent pacihcation Of
that great country Sincerely attached 10 the lib
critics OF our own country, the final establishment
Of which IL due 10 the successful termination of
struggles analogous 10 those which have been made
from time TO time in Hnngary-with equal sim
certify DESTROYS OF maintaining the peace of Europe
are fully sensible Of the great importance that
the settlement of the questions at issue should be
effected in n manner and upon terms satisfactory
10 the Hungarian nation, not only for the sake Of
Hungary herself, but because spprebend that a
settlement unsatisfactory 10 the country will sow
the seed Of future difficulties.
1.-The objects Of the undersigned are, internal
lbcrty-national observation-disclosures peace.
For the attainment Of these objects, we trust that
the court Of Vienna will bear in mind that the sat
isfaction and contentment Of Hungary will afford
the greatest security.
considering, however, the means by which the
authority Of the house Of Hapsburg has been re.
established, the undersigned of opinion that the
occasion permits, II IL does not call for the in
PREVENTION Of Great Britain in counselling the Aus
trian Government respecting the exercise Of il
restored executive power. With respect 10 the mode
and opportunity Of interfering, the undersigned
offer no specific opinion but we hope that her ma
jesty's government will not shrink from suggesting
70 that OF Austria that since republican France has
abolished capital punishment for political offences
IL will not be wise 10 allow n contrast 10 be drawn
unfavorable TO the clemency Of monarchicsl gov.
ernmcnts."
Signed by SO members, peers and oommoners.
The allusion " 10 the means by which the author
ity Of the house Of Hspsburg has been
and 10 De OCCASION, not the duty, Of intervention by
Great Britain, IL significant enough Of the deep feel
ing OF indignation at the crueltes Of the Austrian
government, and Of the anxiety among the Eng