The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-05

shall we perform an act Of public duty which, at
home and abroad, will meet with feelings OF kim
dred sympathy from all, wherever they may be,
who are not fit subjects for the tender mercies of
Austrian power.
have already said that at least one representa-
tive body in Europe had pursued course not very
dissimilar to this, in order to mark with their dis
appreciation palpable violation of national rights
under circumstan les Of peculiar injustice origi-
mating in the basest cupidty. II was the Chamber
Of Deputies of France, which TO their honor year
after year condemned the last partition by which the
remnant of Poland, all that left of the land Of
Sobeski and Kosciusko, was broken into provinces,
and seized by the same triple combination, doomed
to infamy by the first division of that unfortunate
kingdom. The answer to the kings speech was
the occasion usually taken by the Chamber TO ex-
press their opnion upon grave Questions Of policy,
foreign and domestic; and for some years during
the reign of Louis Philippe reProof was thus an
nually administered to the royal spoilers, reproof
which excited much sensation in Europe, and was
known to give much offence to the high personages
thus arraigned at the bar of public opinion. be-
leve that for some time this free expression Of con-
demnation by the Chamber, If it did not interrupt,
rendered very precarious, diplomatic relations be-
tween France and Russia, which latter power
seemed to be peculiarly sensitive to these rebukes
for the adoption of this truly Muscovte process OF
national ACKNOWLEDGMENT. One of these para
graphs--that in the address Of January, 1S40-I
will here introduce, not only account of the pro-
Chamber felt free to censurc great act of injus-
tice in terms not less forcibe than just:
Gin all the questions which divide the world
France invokes but justice; she demands only the
respect due to all rights Can she to recall to
Europe those of the ancient Polish nation, and the
guarantees that repeated treaties gave to generous
people, whose misfortunes time seems only to ag-
gravate?"
ample Of representative frmness and though do
not seek to disguise that action if act at ALL
will extend the principle further than 1t was carried
in France, still the feeling of national sympathy
for national wrongs at the foundation OF the
movement there, as it will be here. We have
many good men among US who are alarmed at any
proposition for public action, unless the very same
thing has been done, here elsewhere. II the case
is not in the books, remedy can be applied, how
ever imperious the circumstances. They have an
instructive dread ofprogress; believing that what has
been done has been well done, and ought to be done
again, and that nothing else should be done.
This spirit of standing stll-conserpdtism, be-
evc is the fashionable name for it in England, and
is becoming here, while both the moral and
physical world 10 giving evidence that change Is
one of the great laws OF nature-lttle becomes
country like ours, which is advancing in the career
of Improvement, with an accelerated pace unknown
in the history of the world. Standing still! Why,
sir, you might well attempt to follow the exam
pie of the Jewish leader, and say TO the sun-Stand
thou still upon Gideon, and thou, moon, in the val
ley Of Azalon-and expect to be obeyed, as to ex
pect that this country would yield to this sentiment
Of immobility, and stand still in that mighty work
of improvement, material and intellectual, which
it has been doing for generations and will be called
upon to do for generations yet to come.
Let not the timid be alarmed; where there is free
inquiry there is danger. There is fund prac-
teal good sense, as well as deep moral and re-
lgious feeling in the people of this country, which
will hold on to our institutions, not with blind te-
nacity, but with firm resolution to maintain them
and while wisely admitting improvement, rejecting
impracticable and dangerous projects, often origi-
mating in honest though mistaken views. Let us
not fear the progress of opinion. The world is
probably yetvery far from its extreme point OF inn
provement. Before that is reached many project
will be proposed and rejected-many an expert
ment tried and failed; and spirit of investigation
will be abroad, dangerous only when met by force
instead of argument.
am not going to reason with this feeling, which
would have enjoined upon our fathers to stand still
and suffer, instead of rushing intothe danger of
revolution, not only because am sure II Is not a
Senatorial one, but because it is ntrenched behind
barriers which reason cannot overcome. To such,
not here, but elsewhere, the example of the French
chamber may dives this proposition of half its ter
The other half may be safely left to time.
They will gradually learn that the great political
truth of our day is contained in the sentiment re-
Gently announced by the distinguished Senator from
Massachusetts, eve are in an age of progress"
And the eloquent remarks of Mr.. Canning, when
placed in circumstances bearing some resemblance
TO ours, may lessen apprehension among those, and
there some of them in this country who believe
that no good can come out of our American Naza-
reth, but that what comes from England is best and
wisest.
''Those persons" said that distinguished man,
and in a similar spirit with that displayed by the
Senator from Kentucky, almost at the same time,
and while taking kindred course, "seem TO me TO
imagine that, under possible circumstances, can
an honest man endeavor TO keep his country upon
a line with the progress of political knowledge, and
to adapt its course to the varying circumstances of
the world. Such an attempt is branded as an in
dcation Of mischievous intentions" He recon.
mends "the pressing Of generous and noble senti-
ments into the service Of his country
Too much caution is not wisdom, though rash
ness may be folly. He who does not keep himself
upon the lime Of knotcledge will find the world
ahead of him, and that his associations belong to
past generation.
iftherc are any here so fastdous as TO desire plain
truths to be disguised by "honeyed words" and
who are disposed TO arraign the freedom of debate
upon this OCCASION recommend 10 them TO go back
and learn wisdom from the discussions in the Eng
lish House Of Commons, and in our own Congress;
and especially TO take lesson in the etiquette Of
political debate, where human rights are in ques-
ton, from Brougham and Clay-1 use these names
hstoricaly-thosc masters of the power Of scathing
rebuke.
Mr.. President, there is one topic desire briefly
to touch. In the illusions have seen in many Of
the papers, and in conversations have heard here
respecting this subject, the name and personal
claims Of the gentleman who has recently departed
upon mission TO Austria have been brought into
question: as though they had some necessary con-
nexion with the object Of this resolution trust,
sir, that these views will not be entertained here.
The measure proposed is wholly independent of
such personal considerations; and had we minis
ter at Vienna equal in character and experience 20
Franklin jefferson, il ought not TO change, in
the slightest degree the course Of our action This
proposition is OF far higher nature than any ques
ton Of personal qualification. Let not its import
ance be affected by any such considerations.
But, sir, owe il 10 the relations subssting between
that gentleman and myself thus publicly 10 say,
that IL were called upon 10 give my vote upon his
nomination, Invested of all questions but his per-
sonal fitness for the Office, that vote would be given
in his favor. have known him since his boyhood,
and mutual regard and kindness have always sub
sisted between ! consider him fully competent
10 discharge the duties Of foreign mission, and
do him this act Of justice because he s absent and
exposed 10 severe ccnsurc. and because as a poti-
cal opponent, may thus speak Of him without any
danger Of being Misunderstood. But, sir, while
this shall say also, and with equal truth that
his departure from the United States. on the very
Of the meeting Of the Senate, interposes in my
opinion, insurmountsblc objections TO his confrma-
ton. Whether foreign minister should ever go
abroad upon n mere Executive appointment, un-
less in rare cases Of public urgency, may well admit
Of doubt
do not say this ne n party man; because know