The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-02

going on in this great moral world Of ours between the
principles Of individ and sociasmsn aniagonsm
e. Sisss i : the contest between him who would
preserve a. much Of the right Of individual action as s
consistent with the peace and security OF society. and
Ss who sss aod sr &
more extended view, and look to nations you find the
same antagonsm at work between those who maintain
the INDEPENDENCE OF encn na!on ana us iga. 70 aci
rights of Others and those who believe that there is
sort OF natural bond Of federal union between the nations
Of the EARTH and that every nation under the authority OF
public opinion, is authorized TO nterpose and interfere
with any and every other These claim the right 10 take
charge Of the general interests OF humanity, and oppose
the general will and opinion OF man 70 the wishes and
interests OF any particular State Sir this attempt to set
up the authority-he public opinion Of the word-in any
particular State above and beyond the sovereignty oil
its people within their own borders had its
far as can trace II, in the movements OF Exeter Hall
movements emanatng from excellent motives and pure
designs but which, neverheless, led their authors 70
system Of interference in the affairs Of others which has
proved very dangerous to the peace OF mankind. Not
content with acting upon their government they I'M
dertook upon other nations TO influence their le-
gisaton Not satisfied with the moral force OF this pub
lie opinion 10 the slave trade, which they Were
creating they undertook to enforce it through political
means and by physical power Under their leader, their
own government became general agitaor the subject
ton Of other countries and had well nigh, under the
sanction Of this public opinion OF the world ntepolaed
and dangerous provision in the code OF national
Of those who resisted this pretension successfully
and he has much Just reputation by those exertions
But sir. the evil has continued to increase The same
soon reached our own country and States
have tempered and meddled with each other without
Just authority. until there is confusion throughout the
more rapidly upon us than the Of settling them
Sir, hear of worlds conventions upon all possible sub
ecs 70 bring associated power into play for the purpose
OF bearing on and bearing down the wills Of individual
me OrO nj nd
ments This results from the usory idea which fear
is far prevalent than L. supposed that there s
public opinion OF mankind which Is above the consttu
ton and laws Of particular Siatesan authority which
justies us in meddng in the internal affairs OF other
nations. Sir. an evidence Of this to-day in the
very resolution before us oI what out ne ,aea nat our
the public opinion OF the world to certain political force
in other countries could prompt such interference as is
contemplated in the domestic affairs OF the Austrian gov
eminent Mr. President, am ayerse 10 all these cen
trazing and socialist movements. belong to anolder
and, trust better school OF politics. belong to the
school which believes that government to Dc g., haPpes
OF individual action which is consistent with the peace
and safety OF society to that school which maintains that
is best for all the nations OF the world that each 81 them
should be left to enjoy its right Of independent action in
all cases in which its exercise is consistent with the
equal rights Of Others know, sir that in society there
the centrpetal and centrifugal forces and that The
order OF nature consists in just equilibrium Increase
the too much and the body flies to the centre, about
which it should evove give an undue Prepondcrance to
the other force, the mass dssoves, and its wandering
atoms are lost in space. In all human affairs there is
just mean but do not know that could define in what
consists; would this be the time to do 50, could
do it, No matter how uncertain the point at which this
mean may be found, is, that the centralzing
tendencies have passed it. The tendency OF every new
movement seems to be in this direction to cenlraze
and associate power seems to be the great object Of po
cal achievement at the present day Sir at least have
no sympathy for these movements Neither can claim
for myself that extensive spirit OF philanthropy which dis
tinguishes SOME gentlemen upon this floor Especially,
ata IN ourha anil
that which senator from New York claims for himself
mean, sir, that senator who would gather all mankind
into ndiscrminae embrace and who loves them all
alke-in whose affections distinctions made as to
the race, color, condition OF man, and who loves all
men equally, whether they be English, French, German,
araI, Negro, or Hoentot Sir senator from New York
doubtless is exception TO the rule but as general
rule knew OF those men, who loved all man
kind alike, who cared much for anybody but himself
never knew one of them who, to borrow a IA
vorite expression from my friend from South Carolina,
chad not hand for all, and heart tor none" But,
sir the senator from New York exception, doubtless,
to this rule. He loves all mankind except himself and
would perhaps have loved himself il he had been born in
Ireland. Mr. President, have such philanthropy
and fear in that matter generally shall be deemed az
little better than OF the wicked know sir. that
shall be accused OF want OF sympathy for the Hunga
rans, whose case exces 80 much attention here So Tar
personally concerned, care nothing Tor such &C
cussons. for have witness whinme whichprononnces
them false But sir, should be unwilling TO nhict a
pang upon the unfortunate Hungarian, by doing any
thing give couenance to the idea that there was any
class OF men here who did not respect and sympa
thize with him in his misfortunes. ] was unin-
terested observer Of his srugge-no unmoved witness
Of its final catastrophe II NY good wishes could have
awaited him. he had them ALL have studied their his
tory with interest," and learned to admire and respect their
national character. There is wild mixture of ORR
entail fervor and western chivary about them which
has always made them objects OF rather romantic
interest History that great record OF human affairs,
full OF startling contrasts and striking vicssitudes and
the chapter OF that great book which belongs TO Hun
gary and her people s nearly eventful any When
first heard sir. that the Hungarian patriots bad been
forced TO take refuge with the Turk and seek at his
hands the charity OF asylum which Christendom re.
fused them could but recall the day when that country
the bulwark OF Chrstendom against the lnde and
Hunniades made good its title to that debaiabe land
the oppressor was, whose foot upon the neck OF
bleeding Hungary, could but Tecur TO the time when
noble ancestess OF his, who to the oveness OF woman
added the soul Of Cssar threw herself upon those pco
pie for and protection The scene arose before
me, a. appears the pictured page OF Macaulay. IN
which she is represented upon horseback, weak IRON
recent suffering, yet strong in will, flushed under
the weight OF st. Stephens's iron crown, and after
a fashion Of her race, which would have been deem
ed extravagant BY any but an Oriental imagination,
waving the sword Of State to The four quarters Of
the heavens, and bidding defiance TO the earth. Still
more visiby came before that other scene, in which
the young mother with Der child in her arms appeared
before the assembled magnaes Of Hungary and, complain
ing that she deserted and oppressed by the rest Of the
world, demanded assistance and protection from them
and, quick in TO that appeal all voices respond
ed as one, in the exclamation, LET us die for our
King Maria Theresa True, even in that moment OF
enthusiastic fervor not only TO the principles but TO the
very forms OF their constitutional liberty, they devo-