The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-10


potsm.
lie reviewed briefly the diplomatic history of
this country, showing that the intercourse between
independent nations, when not governed by spe-
cial conventional arrangements, WAS regulated by
each for itself, subject to the established princ-
pies Of the laws of nSSiUns The lnrerrubuon OF
diplomatic intercourse was no just cause of offence
1t was mere question of courtesy or convenience
Such intercourse with many OF the nations of
Europe, Austria among them, was matter chiefly
of courtesy. She had but one port, Trieste, and
our trade with that scarcely exceeded million
and half Of dollars annually. But, while the
act of disseminating diplomatic intercourse could
give no just cause Of offence to Austria, or endan
ger any national interest, he would not seek to
conceal that the motive of such an act-strong in
dignation at Austrian oppression and cruelty
would be very unacceptable to that Government
He was not in favor of this kind of govern
mental interpostiOu in ordinary cases 1t should
be reserved for great events-events marked by
great crimes and expressions on one side, and
great misfortunes and exertions on the other.
freely confess that | shall hail the day with
pleasure when this Government rejecting the
true sentiments Of the people shall express its
sympathy with struggling millions, seeking, in
circumstances of peril and oppression, that liberty
which was given to them by God, but which has
been wrested from them by man. | do not see any
danger to the true independence of nations by
such a course; and indeed l am by no means GER
tain that the free interchange of public views in
this solemn manner would not go far towards
checking the progress ofoppresson and the tenden-
cy to war Why, sir, the very discussion in high
places and free places, land here is Of them,)
even where discussion is followed by no act, is it
self great element of retrbutiye Justice to pun
ish it, when an atrocious deed is done, and great
element of moral power to restrain it when such
a deed is contemplated claim for our country
no exemption from the DEGREES of these tribunals :
and when we are guilty of 1.-THE of the oppres-
sion and cruelty which have made the Austrian
name name Of reproach through the world
hope we shall receive, as we shall well merit the
Opprobrium of mankind.
Mr. Coss then appealed to the Senators from
Kentucky and Massachusetts (Messrs. Clay and
Webster,) reading extracts from eloquent speeches
of theirs denouncing oppression in other cOun-
tries, and protesting profound sympathy with the
cause of struggling millions. lie could not but
anticipate their cordial cooperation in supporting
his resolution.
He disclaimed in behalf Of his countrymen the
spirit of propagandism. They were deeply at
tached to political liberty, but did not maintain
that practical freedom might not be secured under
constitutional monarchies.
But, between Governments like these, and the
despotism which ershadows--overwhelms, may
say-sOme Of the fairest portions 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 a difference as marked and
as wide as is the difference in their effects upon
the character, and progress, and prosperity of
man. The former, when they fulfil their legiti
Eilte duties commend themselves to our good
wishes and respect. There is no American, true
to the political faith of our 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
opinion, which eeem 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 10 interest to warp their judgments, with
neither prejudice nor animosity to excite them,
and with public opinion rs free as the air they
breathe, they can survey ibcse events as dispas-
sionatey as is compatible with that natural sym
patty 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 en-
courage them, while hearing their evils, to bear
them bravely as men who hope and. when driven
to resist by pressure no longer to be borne to
exert themselves as men who peril all upon the
effort But, where no demonstration OF interest
on the part Of Government ~ called for by cir
cumsances, sound public opinion is ready to
proclaim its sentiments. and no reserve is Imposed
upon their expression, IL is common TO this coun-
try, and to every country where liberal instiu-
tions prevail and it is as powerful aud as power
fdly-exertcd in France and in England as IN The
United States It's effects may not be Immediate
or Immediately visible but they are sure TO come,
and 10 come in power. lisyGice is louder than the
booming Of cannon, and il is heard on the very
confines OF civilization. Our Declaration OF
independence has laid the foundation Of mighter
changes in the world than my event since the
spirit Of the crusades precipitated Europe upon
Asia with jealous bat mistaken views Of religious
duty.
Mr.. Cass read from the London Times an
address to Lord John Russell, signed by eighty
three members Of Parliament, requesting the
interpostion Of the Government against Aus
TRAN crueltes AMI followed this up with brief
narrative Of the acts Of Austria which provoked
the Hung n ,us, aud some vivid descriptions Of
her butchcrirs md -rhcu Ire adrfed-
Now. sir say it without reserve, that Power
thus setting at defiance the opinion Of the world,
aud violating the best feelings Of our nature in
the very wantonness Of success I'll cruelty, has no
bond OF union with the American people. The
sooner the iplOmatc intercourse is dissolved, and
dissolved with marks Of indignant reprobttiOn,
the sooner shall perform an act Of public duty,
which at home and abroad will meet with feelings
Of kindred sympathy from all, wherever they may
be- who are not ft subjects for the tender mercies
Of an Austrian Power
lie next rehuked that spirit Of conservatism
that shrunk from doing any new thing, because
it was not in the books
Lee, not the tiuid be alarmed where there is
free inquiry there is no danger. There is fund
of practical good sense, as we'll as deep moral and
religious feeling in the people Of this country,
which will hold on to our Institutions, not with