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

will not 2, in that. shape hut that if this resou-
ton is to piss it will be put in somewhat differ
ent form
Mr.. Foote. believe, Mr. President. that the
general acceptation of the word exptJicncy is
"propriety' or fitness AMI | believe it IS 80 uu-
derslood wherever the English language is known.
| see nothing in this word 10 make question
about
MIR Hale II is hei my purpose {, 60 into
dictionary contca with the honorable Senator
from Mississippi for | know that he would brat
me there; ! DO not 20 into phi lology g for III"
plain schoolmaster meaning Of the word " 81.
what do We propose TODD WepropoSc 10 cree; our
selves into high court. Courts sir, have various
names there are courts Of law, courts OF equity.
courts martial, and courts Of Cancellation: and II
is now proposed to make us n high court OF iudig-
nation, and we are TO arraign the nations Of the
earth before u.s. 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 poSterity. And,
sir what are tic offences for which they are to be
arraigned and put upon their trial They are to
be arraigned, as we find in the honorable Sena-
tors speech we are "to rebuke, by public opin-
ion expressed through an established Government,
in the name Of great Republic atrocious acts Of
despotism, by which human liberty and life have
been sacrificed. under circumstances of audaciOus
contempt for the rights OF mankind y that is. We
are to erect ourselves into a high court. and try
the nuions Of the earth for the various acts of
despotism by which human life and liberty have
been sacrificed That is most high and solemn
function. 1t needs no spirit Of prophecy 10 fore
teU'@1 sbe3 tbe historian OF adeolc , ,,,5.55.}'a
the history of the events which are now trauspir-
ing, he will begin his chapter with something like
the Following
he commencement IL; IL
American Senate, the highest, the most maguan-
nous, the most learned people that ever lived or
ever Will live, forgetting and ncglectng the petty
and local interests which concerned their own
narrow limits, constituted themselves into a high
court, and proceeded to try the nations of the
earth for various acts Of despotism committed
under the most aggravated circumstances
Now, would like that when the historian
commences that chapter he should continue to
the end and that he would say
They proceeded to try, not some little, iusig-
nihcant, subordinate power, that cost them very
little TO deal with, hut they took the Emperor of
Russia, and first tried him.
And why should they not try him ? Why
should he not be the first who should he called
upon to plead to this indictment? 1t was the
Emperor Of Russia to whom it WAS said, Sire,
Austria lies at the feet of your Majesty Il was
Russian power that drove the Hungarian cxiles
from their homes that they might find hospitality
in the more enlightened and cultivated regions of
Mahomedauism. 1t was the Car of Russia who
-, <.,>,s> =, om tne Turkish S,n,nn ms tnc
Senator from Massachusetts, well said. in defiance
Of all international law. Ii was the Emperor of
Russia who demanded that these cxilcs should be
given up.
And now, sir, why should We, when We have
such a country as that to deal with why do we
LAT Ia 70 +pr t,,u, -;
it is unbecoming the dignity of this high court
and | shall not consent to sit in judgment on
Austria, till we have decided the cases of some
higher criminals. propose TO insert in this res
olution the name Of Russia; and when We have
Russia arraigned before the bar of this court
do not propose TO let him 60 simply for what he
has recently done in Hungary. suppose sir,
that in this matter there will be no statute Of
limitations and that We may 60 back into history,
and review the several acts OF these dcspots and
call them to full and satisfactory account for all
the acts they have done in violation of the rights
of man | want to try the Emperor of Russia for
acts done long ago | want him to account for the
exiles sent to Siberia aud the regions of perpetual
ice And then, sir, there is another count in the
indictment before we proceed with Austria;
want to try him for his agency in the triple par
tition of Poland When we have done this we
shall have shown that we are not influenced by
| any weak or cowardly motives, but that we arc
proceeding in a manner worthy Of the subject
Then, sir, after we have tried and passed SEN
tencc upon Russia | think we ought to arraign
the girt ISLE" and try England and bring
her to account for the manner in which she treated
Smith O'Brien and Mitchell, and others | want
our sympathies to be exhibited in favor of English
and Irish patriots who have suffered, even under
the comparatively free Government of Great
! nri, hnl ,ir vht inv hon FIR tbna
matters ! hope she will also be called upon IL
answer for the manner in which Algernon Sidney
was put to death laughter And then, sir,
want to go TO ireland, and want to call England
to answer for centuries of oppression and mis-
| government there | want to know why il is that
that country, as fair and as fruitful as any tn,
sun ever shone upon, designed by the Almighty
for one of the most bounteous and heauteous
abodes of man want to know why it is that
under British rule, it has been turned into one
great field of famine and of blood And if the
account is not black enough when that portion Of
| it is settled, want to 90 to India and try Eng.
| land for the expressions and the cruelties and
! the wars she he's carried on there and thus sir
trust that we shall no, be influenced by any
narrow views Of policy in this matter but that we
will try them all faithfully, truly, impartially,
| and administer cur judgment and our censure
! with that degree of severity which their several
| dement's may seem to require.
Then, sir, after we have got through Russia
! and England want the docket to be called and
! France to answer. | want her to hold up her
hand and plead to the indictment ! want her to
tell the Senate and the country, and the world,
why it il, with the high and holy professions of
liberty fraternity, and equality, upon their lips,
they have sent their army into the Eternal City,
and stricken down the cause of republican liberty
tho, 10 Of ,t,ta rtv,n la
affairs of Hungary 1t is within the memory of
the youngest man who hears me, that France has
sent an army into Spain and, by means Of the
sword and the bayonet, has stricken down consti-
tutiOnal liberty in that devoted country. | want
her tried for that If it is not enough want to
90 to africa for the sentiments which are given
by the honorable Senator from Michigan are wide
enough to embrace all the victims Of oppression
and every variety Of complexion ] want TO 90
to Agcrs, and want to inquire how France has
behaved there. If the public prcss has not beied
her, she has perpetrated barbarities and crucltes
upon the Algerians compared with which all that
Austria has done TO Hungary is tender mercy.
While the court is in session, and the nations arr
called for by this time it must be very well known
over the world what we are about) ! want to try
Spain, sir; for if my memory serves me rightly
her scaiIolds have been stained with the blood Of
martyrs of liberty, aud that not many years ago
But sir let US proceed fairly and impartially in
all this work Let us show that we are in ear
nest md that we do not intend to manifest our
Indignation only where there will be no power of
resentment and where it will not be likely t.
cost anything, In this matter, sir, let me say
again, that the language Of The honorable Senator
from Michigan will serve me for text in all
possibility during the rest Of my life ] DO not
know when have received 30 much instruction
and I,lpbgure from a single aucech ,r aays--
Let not the timid be alarmed for in free inquiry
there il no danger That is the very doctrine
have been preaching all my life hut il would
nave been faDa,ieis,n from mymonih 1T this time
| am glad that IL has been baptized by the great
leader Of Democracy, and shall now have no
fear Of being called q fanatic.
a nnr we Lnvn nnIn ilrnnnL with I'LL Liz ufiDr