Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1850-01-23

tria charge d'affairs whom we have sent
, there.
. Sir. unfortunately. owing to causes up
! on which it is not necessary for me now 10
} dwell. some Of them Of very painful
nature-among which are charges against
the commanderin-chief of the Hunca-
rian army, which. if well-foanded. must
cover him with infamy-unfortunat atelv.
Hungary fell suddenly. and to .he sur
prise of the American world. She is sub
dued: she is crushed.
! Now. we adopt this resolution. have
been curious to satisfy myself upon what
principle we can vindicate it, What prn.
ciple does il involve! 1t involves the prin-
c'ple OF assuming on the part OF this
Government right to pass judgment up
on the conduc, Of foreign Powers-a
branch of the subject that has been well
treated Of by the Senator who sits before
me; MIR. Hale.) Have we any such pow
err! The most extensive bearing of the
principle involved in the resolution pro-
posed by the honorable Senator from
Michigan. assumes the right. on the part
OF this nation. TO pronounce upon the con-
duct OF all other nations, and to follow il
up by some direct action, such as the sus-
pending intercourse. We are directing
at present the exercise of that power to-
wards nation on account of the manner
in which they have conducted a war. or
of the manner in which they have treated
the unfortunate prisoners who were taken
during the progress of that war. But
where is to be the lmitl You begin with
war. You may extend the same princi-
pie Of action to politics or relgion-to
society or to social principles and habits
The honorable Senator before me (Mr
fIale) has spoken Of the conduct Of Rus
sia; and undoubtly, as between Russia
and Austria. consider Russia as the mos,
cul pable. 1t is true, she had pretext,
for her Interference. She was afraid of
the contagion Of liberty in Hungary. lest
it might affect her coterminous posses
sions That was the pretext for her in
reference. In the case, however. Of Aus
tria. though | think Hungary was right
and Austria wrong in respect to the cause
and object of the war. still there were re.
lations existing between Hungary and
Austria. which did not exist between Hun
gary and Russia Russa's interference,
then. was voluntary. spontaneous. uncal-
led for. She had no such pretext or
ground for it as Austria had. in endeavor-
ing TO subjugate those whom she was
pleased to call rebellious subjects: and yet
the honorable Senator has permitted Rus
sla TO pass-and. blythe bye, allow me TO
say that but for the interference of Russia,
Hungary would have succeeded. She
had succeeded. and she would eventually
have triumphed in the struggle with Aus
tria. The honorable Senator. instead of
directing his proposition against Russia,
as would have done. directs it again ST
Austria. the least offending Power OF the
two. and proposes to pass Russia by un-
noticed, but if the principle contained in
the proposition be true. we have a right to
examine into the conduct Of Russia. and
into that of other nations. Where, then,
Is the limit! You may extend it to reli-
! glon. You may extend it to the inquisi-
ton. Have we not an equal right to saw
to Spain. unless you abolish the inquisi-
ton we will suspend diplomatic intercourse
with you! The honorable Senator stated
that he had visited Constantinople twelve
years ago: that he saw there the present
Sultan. surrounded by all the pride. pomp.
and circumstance of oriental power. He
saw him crossing the Bosphorus. Sir. the
honorable Senator went TO that country
under distinguished auspices. ! would be
lad to know whether he saw any portion
Of the palace, or whether he was limited
to sight of the young prince who is now
sitting upon the throne! The Turks have
very peculiar notions. know there are
apartments in the palace in which no vul
gar foot has intruded, which no vulgar eye
has ever beheld.
Mr.. Cass.-I did not distinctly hear the
question Of the honorable Senator.
| Mr.. Clav.-The question was. whether
my worthy friend had visited certain
apartments of the palace Of the Sultan!
Mr.. Cass.-The honorable Senator will
allow me to say that in that capacity will
yield to him. Laughter.)
Mr.. CIay.-If had been there-if l
had been placed in the advantageous cir
cumstances in which the honorable Sena-
tor was placed, think it likely should
have had an opportunity Of inspecting
every portion Of the palace that | desired
to see. The honorable gentleman went
there. not in the capacity of minister to
that Court, but he was then a minister at
the Court Of France, and was conveyed
in public vessel. have no doubt if he
desired to do so. he could have answered
the question which wanted to put to him
that is. how many wives had his young
friend, the Sultan. (Laughter.)
Mr.. Cass.-That is question which
the honorable Senator from Kentucky is
doubtless much more capable Of answer
ing than am. (Renewed laughter.)
Mr.. Clay.--I am very sorry / cannot
obtain aspecific reply from the gentleman
/ have adverted to this to show, that if we
adopt the principle which is embraced in
the resolution Of the honorable Senator
from Michigan, there is no limit or reslrc.
ton as to the extent to which we may 90
in our investigations Of the conduct Of
foreign nations. and as to the extent We
may 60 in pronouncing judgment upon
that conduct. We may say. in reference
to Turkey. Your religion tolerates poly
eamy: unless you change your religion.