The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-23
SPEECH OF MR.. FOOTE,


Delivered in the Senate, Jan. 4, $780, reply to Mr..
Secard Of Ne,0 York, The debate the Resolution
of Gen. Cass for ss.spending Diplomatic intereourse
.oith .austria:
Mr. President: I do not propose to enter into the
debate now in progress upon the resolution of the
honorable senator from Michigan, Mr. Cass, at least
soaras the general merits of the resolution introduced
by him are concerned. Approving heartily of almost
all that has fallen from him on this occaslon and con-
curing fully with him in all the leading views which
he has so forcbly stated should be entirely willing
to risk the fate of the resolution upon the speech
which has already been delivered in its support. At
least cannot be necessary at this stage OF the de-
BATE that anything further should be said in support
of the resolution, either by its avowed or presumed
friends, especially as illusions have been made by
the honorable senator from Michigan to honorable
senators over the way, Mr.. Clay and Mr. Webster,
which, it is to be hoped, will call forth from them
such responses will comport with the high charac-
ter which they have heretofore acquired in the coun-
try, and in some degree to renew in the recol-
lectons of their countrymen certain glorious scenes
in annals in which they have formerly borne so
distinguished part. AS member of the Commit
tee on Foreign Relations, to whom it is proposed to
refer this resolution, shall gladly avail myself Of
the sage counsels which may be offered upon the
grave subject under consideration by more experienced
senators, whether associated with the other Of
the two great political parties into which the country
is divided.
My chief object in rising is to notice the remarks
with which the Senate has been just favored by the
honorable member from New York, who has been
pleased take it upon himself to complain that the
senator from Michigan has thought proper 10 avow
baton of the pfecptate departure of the individual
nominated to the Austrian court who has not waited,
as it was clearly his duty do for the previous
frmaton by the Senate of his appointment abroad.
The honorable senator from New York says that he
finds himself, by the conduct of the senator from
innA IF onnh SSod
as the friend-the personal fnend-the unwavering
fend-the devoted friend of this foreign representa-
tve,'' alleging at the time that he has docu-
ments in his possession to extenuate, and, he be-
leves to remove the accusation OF preeiptae flight
from before the Senate of the United States - and
yet (he continues) Z" these documents are of such
nature that in justice to the domestic relations of that
individual, he is not at liberty to give them to the
world.'' These the precise words used by the
honorable senator, who, venture to say, will not
undertake to deny my citation of them. Now, Mr..
President, must say to that honorable senator, to
the Senate, and to the country, that am exceedingly
surprised at the language which he has presumed to
hold in hearing upon this delicate and important
question. will remind that senator that the oonsti-
tuition of the United States has provided that the
President shall nominate, and by and cih the Gduiee
and consent Of the Senate shall appoint ambassadors
and other public ministers" }" ETC. Yes, sir, by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate is this ap
pointing power of the President to be exercised and
otherwise; and yet the honorable senator from New
York undertakes to maintain that it is entirely proper
for an individual who has been simply designated to
foreign mission by the Executive and commissioned
during the of the Senate, and only few days,
too before we were be assembled here for the pur-
of either approving or disapproving such desig-
nation, and confirming or rejecting the nominations
made to US, with his commission and salary In his
pocket, to fly from the country before the Senate has
had an opportunity Of determining upon the ftness
or unftness of his appointment. And, sir, the hon
orable senator from New York undertakes t0maintan
the proprety of such action the part Of his friend
not upon any ground Of public policy, not because
there was anything in relations with Austria which
made it mperously necessary that be should go thus
hastily upon the mission to which he has been pre-
ferred but, sir, the justification, which he sets up
for his absent friend il based alone upon domestic
considerations, Of nature 90 exceedingly delioste
he assures u.s. that he does not feel at liberty to
explain them at this time in our hearing, OF to do
moro than refer to them With something Of the mys
tical significance Of the Pythian prophecies herself
Sir, this is extraordinary doctrine. and upheld in
an extraordinary manner. cannot believe, for one
will not so cruelty wrong that high officer and his
Official advisers. as to suppose-that the President
and his cabinet have given their sanction to this rash
and indecent conduct of their diplomatic emissary
to the court of Austria. 1t would be easy per
suade that the intention Of Colonel Webb to leave
the country thus suddenly was made known to the
President Of the United States anterior his depart
nre. The President has too often professed and
doubt not sincerely, his profound respect for the
ordinate departments of the government, and his IN
Willingness to encroach upon their constitutional