The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-11
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.


On Wednesday the Sd instant the resolu
ton of Mr. Foote in relation to the reception
of Louis kossuth was read the second time
Mr.. Foote asked that it might be Immediately
acted on.
~ nowsou ounosed the resolution He
: ~ = 80 .,-~r~ty. 'ra-h ssv'Sa. ,,,s,,y .-,A
Sss,,sSs in ~ dong He saw nothing IN the
character of kossuth to distinguish him from
all other men. He never rendered any particu-
lar service to this country. His position is such
as to call into exercise our sympathies but he
| MIR. ID. objected to the manner in which it
was proposed to receive him. IL is the people
who ought to receive him. and not the Govern
ment
Mr.. Hale announced his intention of offering
an amendment, which he thought would meet
with the concurrence of the Senate, and obvi-
ate the objections urged by Mr. Dawson. He
proposed to add the following:
And also to assure him, and his associates
in exile, of the sympathy Of Congress and the
people of the United States with the victims of
oppression everywhere and that it is our earnest
desire that the time may speedily come when
| the rights OF man shall be universally recog-
missed and respected by every People and Gov
eminent of the world
Mr. Foote expressed grief and surprise at
the opposition OF the Senator from Georgia
Mr.. Dawson. He did not expect to hear from
any intelligent member of that body that he
could see no difference between him and many
others. There has been but one Washington
and there as but one Kossuth"
Mr.. Dawson asked in what battle he was
ever distinguished
Mr. FoOte referred him to q Forthcoming
History of Kossuth and said he is the author
OF achievements that must hand him down to
future ages as the man Of the present age-more
llustrious in all respects in my Judgment
than any other man that the present genera
world
He added
IL beg leave to declare here, that the at
tempt which has been made to poison the pub
lie mind of America towards this excellen
personage-to instl undue prejudice into tn,
minds of the enlightened people of this coun
try in regard to this illustrious victim of Cd
pression-is, in my judgment altogether tn,
most disgraceful act of the kind that has We
marked our annals as a nation
Sir, the gentleman from Georgia seems t,
overlook the fact that there is a great struggle
going on at this moment in all parts of Tho
civilized world, between the principles of free
dom and the principles of slavery. The ty.
rants of the earth have combined for the over.
throw of liberty. In some instances open at.
tempts are made to break down political and
religious freedom; in others, the means en-
ployed by the enemies of freedom are more
disguised and insidious but not at all less dan
gerous At such moment does it behOove
the American People to join the side of des-
potism, or to stand by the cause of freedom
We must do one or the other. We cannot
avoid the solemn alternative presented. Those
who are not for us are against us. Those who
are not for freedom are for slavery
Mr.. Hale. Exactly.
Mr.. Foote. The gentleman says exactly
| shall deal with him very exactly presently
| am using such language as | deem suited
TO the ears Of statesmen. am employing
such phraseology as has received an acccpta-
ton perfectly understood amongst real states
men-among men of genuine elevation of
character, who are capable of breathing else
where than in the impure atmosphere of
faction-whO are something more than the
wretched demagogues Of the hour-who are
able, when great question like this is under
consideration, to elevate themselves somewhat
above the behests of an unreasoning fanati-
cism | say, sir, am using language which,
amongst such men-the statesmen the true
phlanthropists, the enlightened philosophers Of
the worlds perfectly comprehended and APP
preciatcd
He hoped the. apparently unconquerable
blindness which has constantly marked the
course of certain inflated demagogues which
he could easily specify, mot here of course, or
who should not be here, certainly will con-
tinue undiminshed, until Jehovah himself shall
determine that the fitting time has come for
pouring out upon their heads that deuge of
fiery indignation which their manifold offences
are manifcstly provoking
Mr.. Hale did not expect that his amend
ment would be subjected to such course of
remark, and supposed it to be in order for a
man to declare his own motives.
But the honorable Senator says that some
minds, not here, Of course that is, not in
his seat-cannot understand language as states.
men use it. Why mott Now. sir. il there ever
was man that delivered illustrated lectures
demonstrating the truth of his propositions as
he goes along, it is the honorable Senator from
Mississippi. What is the amendment to this
resolution! That we shall assure this illus.
trious man, dear to my affections as TO his
dear to my affections for the principles which
he has advocated and avowed and for the utter
ance and maintenance of which he is now In
eyile--that we shall assure this man. and bis
associates in exile, of the sympathy of Congress
and Of the people Of the United States; and To
say that the sympathies of the people Of the
United States are not only with him, but with
the victims of oppression everywhere, is evidence
that somebody does not understand the English
language as statesman should We "sympa-
thine with the victims Of oppression every.
where" That is evidence that there is faction
in the country that wants to arouse the sectional
feelings which have been 30 happily buried
And what more evidence is there OF q want OF
apprehension and understanding of statesman.
like languagel at is our earnest desire that
the time may speedily come when the rights Of
man shall be universally recognised and re-
spected by every people and Government of the
world Well, sir, is there any intimation there
that the honorable Senator means TO End fault
with Does he mean to intimate that this land
IL place where the rights Of man are not uni
versally respected and recognised? II he does,
he utters u fouler Islander upon the country and
the States Of this Confederacy than would
allow myself to utter in this place.
] am ready, for one to say that ! entertain
the fullest sympathy with kossuth. entertain