Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-01-11
Gen. cass,s speech.


The proposition introduced into the Senate, on the
I'd instant by Gen CAss, for the suspension Of dplo
matte relations with Austria seems to have met with
very general favor from the press and the public
Whatever the fate of the measure may be- the moral
effect of the movement is already secured After
this there can be no installing the sentiments of the
American Congress and people in relation to the
atrocities perpetrated by Austria in her dealings
with the unfortunate Hungarians. The powerful
denunciatfons of CAss and WEBSTER have touched
chord in the national heart the fails to vlbrate
in unison with the rights of man. and in condemna-
ton of cruelty and oppression and we hope that the
Senate will give tangible form and expression to this
public feeling by withdrawing our representative
from that court.
Gen. CAss, in support of his proposition appealed
to the advancing spirit of the age and alluded to the
power of public opinion uttered through the me-
dunn of the press which he said announced the Judg
ment of the day. and oretod the decisions of the tu
ture. Public opinion ruled the world, and 1t was
was the duty of Christian nation and especially of
one occupying the position of the United States, to
cast the weight of its public opinion the side of
freedom and humanity, and to rebuke high-handed
oppression and brutal violence He showed that there
was no commercial necessity for Minister in Aus
trial. and that in performing act of moral justice,
we should not prejudice any national interest He
was aware that this resolution would offend naughty
Austria by conveying a of her conduct, but
without that censure it would lose more than half
value.
In favor of his resolution he hoped to have the
cooperation of the distinguished Senators from Ken
lucky and Massachusetts,, (Messrs. CLAY and WEB
sTER.) He could not forget how Mr.. CLAY had been
the eloquent friend of Greece and of South America
how wildly he had depicted the horrors of Turk
sh and Spanish warfare and yet Austrian cruelty to
Hungary had been such to throw Turkish barbara
ty into the shade; and HAYNAU, the Austrian Gene
raj or butcher had won reputation only worthy OF
the days of NERO.
Gen. CAss read passages from MIR. WEBsTER's
speech in the cause of Hungary, delivered at the
anniversary celebration of the Sons of New Hamp-
shire which he said was equal to the highest effort
of the elder PITT in his brightest days He pointed
to the murder of prisoners in cold blood to the whip
ping and torturing of delicate women, and to other
acts of cruelty and inhumanity, totally unworthy Of
a civilized nation.
Mr.. CAss closed by making alluson to the gentle
man who had been sent to Austria. He was his per-
sona friend and he did not wish to urge any objec
ton to him, but even were he FRANKLIN he would
not continue him there Besides, his precipitate flight
on the eve of the meeting of the Senate presented
an insurmountable objection to his confirmation. He
could not vote for any one who would thus endeavol
to escape the constitutional ordeal of the Senate
is pretty plain that Col. WEBB will be rejected.