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

questionable nature, and that is. the as
sumption Of the right Of interference in
the internal affairs Of foreign nations
Now. sir. although Hungary was entitled
as an independent Government. to direct
her domestic concerns, there nevertheless
existed a political connexion between
Hungary and Austria. The House o!
Hapsburg were the lawful sovereigns. the
more especially as they were originally
elected by Hungary. distinction should
be drawn between the case when civil
war exists in a foreign country and when
the war has terminated. The present is
a very different case from that where a
war is still pending. and where there is a
government capable Of exercising a sove.
reign power. There is wide difference
between the present case and a case Of
that kind. Where n government exists
we have right to recognise that govern
ment and to institute diplomatic relations
with that governments; but the case in
which the honorable Senator invites US to
interfere is case where independence
has been lost. He does not regret more then
| do-no one on earth regrets more than /
do. that the independence Of Hungary has
been destroyed. has been crushed by a
union Of Russian and Austrian power.
laid. to use the language Of one Of the
documents referred to by the honorable
Senator. bleeding at the feet Of Russia.
The war is at an end; Hungarian liberty
destroyed. There is no Hungarian pow
er which we can recognise. We are
called upon. then. by the honorable Sena-
tor to interfere with the government ofthe
internal concerns Of a foreign nation-to
interfere between Austria and portion Of
her empire; and we are called upon to do
this. in direct contradiction to the whole
policy Of this Government, first laid down
by Washington and pursued by every sue
cessor he has had down to the present dav.
And, sir. if we were to permit ourselves
to interfere in cases Of this kind, where,
again ask, are we to stop! Why should
we not interfere in behalf Of suffering
Ireland! Why not interfere in behalf of
suffering humanity wherever we may find
il? Why not interfere in all the cases
enumerated by the gentleman from New
Hampshire, and particularly in the case
Of Rome, as suggested by that honorable
Senator. do say. without meaning to
disParage in the slightest degree Hunga-
rian valor, that in no quarter OF the world,
considering the difference in numbers
engaged in the contest between France
and Rome, was there more gallantry and
heroism displayed than in the contest, for
a long time doubtful contest, that was
carried on by Rome in repelling the in.
vasion, Of tho French 1t was said by
the enemies of Rome that they were
divided. But every manifestation, every
particle Of evidence that reached me on
the subject demonstrated that no people
were ever more firmly united in repclline
the invasion OF an enemy than the people
Of Rome in the establishment Of that re.
volution which French power and French
Intervention suppressed. Sir, if we are
| 10 become the defenders Of nations, the
censurers Of other Powers, | again ask
the honorable Senator where are we to
stop. and why does he confine himself to
Austria alone!
Mr.. President, the honorable Senator
admitted that he entertained an apprehen
sion that | was one of those stationary
politicians, VINO refuse TO advance as the
age advances; one of those politicians
| think his expression was. that stands
still; that he was in favor Of progress; ir
favor Of going ahead. Sir, | should like
to understand the meaning of this WORD
progress Of which the honorable Senator
speaks. should like to hear definition
Of it. Has not this nation progressed with
the most astonishing rapidi,y in point o
population. Has it not bv far exceeded
in this respect every other nation in tht
world! Has it not progressed in com
merce and manufactures! Has it not in
creased in power with a rapidity create
than has ever been known before in the
case Of any nation under the sun! Wha
is the progress that the honorable Senator
means. am afraid that it is not an in
ternal progress that he is in favor Of; for
whatever his own peculiar opinions may
be. the school of which he is distinguish
ed disciple is opposed, as understand
to the improvement Of our magnificent
HORRORS and rivers. Of our glorious water
courses throughout the country. That i.
not the progress. l apprehend. which the
honorable Senator is in favor of. And
again. with respect to the manufactures o
the country. do not understand the
doctrines Of the party to which the hon
orable Senator belongs. to he in favor O
progress there. They are for arrestini
progress. Their progress is backward il
reference TO these matters; not intention al
ly SO, | admit. but by the course Of thei
policy they carry US back to the colonia
days. when we depended upon Grea
Britsin for every thing in the way Of sup
plies that were necessary to existence.
. What. then. is the progress which the
honorable Senator seems SO deslrous o
making! All. am afraid it is progress
in foreign wars. am afraid it is Progres:
in foreign conquest-in territorial ag
grandizement. am afraid it is progress
as the dis,urbers Of the possessions Of oul
neighbors throughout this continent, ant
throughout the islands adjacent to it.
that be the progress which the honorabl,
Senator wishes TO effect, trust that it vii