The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-12-12

Congressional Honors to Disting uishsd
Foreigners.
Mr.. Foote has made motion in the United
States Senate for the appointment of = joint COM
mittee three Senators and five Representatives, to
make arrangements for the suitable reception Of
General Kossuth. The motion, as might have
been expected, has created much debate, and dis
cusslon appears to have taken wide range and an
unfortunate direction. The appointment of spe-
cal committee is extraordinary upon an occasion
Of this character. We believe ii was done but
once before in the history of our country.
We think the motion unfortunate in its charac-
ter. The distinguished exile might have been
honored in other and less Objectionable modes,
than the signally emphatic, the sweepiAgly appro-
batory one urged by Gen. Foote. At this june
.ure it was certain to revive unpleasant discussions
and commits our Government to position which
is neither cautiously wise nor alphabetically
correct.
We do not doubt that Kossuth is great, a very
great man. Any one Of his recent and magnia.
cent speeches would put this matter beyond all
controversy. We do not doubt that he devotedly
loves his own, the Magyar, race. All he ventured
and all he lost and suffered, prove this or the
controversy in reference to the other races of hi.
native land and his conduct towards them, we
have nothing to say in this connection, unless il
be that it should warn Of the policy Of prudence
nd ~ hotn p1o L. ID b,r.,
ourselves. But we none the less esteem Kos
suths love of his race for this.
We merely doubt the general policy of such
movement. II carried out it will be a pfece
dent Hereafter, when any distinguished for
egner lands upon our shores, claiming sympath,
as political exile, ardent members of Congress
will be apt to propose similar honots. One o
two things will then probably follow either GU
national legislature will be engaged in the discus
sion, in the argument, Of approval or dsapprova
Of the political movements of foreign countries, o
we shall, as nation acting through our Govern
| ment, be liable to il.advised action. Govern
| ments should exercise a nice and delicate caution
in such matters, and Congress probably fulfls it
legitimate functions when it confines itself mos
strictly to the affairs Of our own country. 1t car
! not well 60 beyond them, without becoming, il
the most literal sense of tho expression, Con
gress Of all nations.
II does seem to US, waving all other questions
! that we are not prepared to make it such w.
can not now interfere to regulate the affairs oil
Europe; we can only make war of words ant
resolutions upon Europe-on powers such a.
Austria and Russa-wi,h no other result than ar
increase of national antipathies
The argument may be that such movement a,
that proposed by Gen. Foots is grand nationa
protest If SO, it should be made with the utmos,
caution and the fullest intelligence its grounds
should be stated. and its intent declared. 1t could
only then have much practical force in aid of the
cause it is designed to advance If our country is
prepared to advance into the arena of European
revolutions, and to mingle in their strife, it should
say so. But to give mere resolutions and compli.
msnts, has we would if we dare }" tone in il,
which does not give much encouragement to Eu
ropean revolutionists. What hope have we, thew
will be apt TO ask, if q great country can thus
loudly endorse our cause, and then shrink from
their active championship?
The moral effect of the Protest (if we NAV M
style ip will not be the less efiicacious if made
simply through popular demonstrations, whilst our
Government will thus he left free to modify its
course strictly to the facts when it comes to take
real action. Thus expressed directly from The
people themselves. it will have quicker and more
tone of sympathy with the movements
Of the masses abroad coming from the masses in
America. To such testimonial to Kossuth none
can object. There is every presumption in favor
of his extraordinary character as great man and
a Magyar patriot The demonstrations, under anv
supposable state of facts, would be clear in tbe;,
motives, in their devotion to the cause of freedom
and hatred of oppression, and could not easily he
lfthere were an existing struggle in Hungary,
the movement would be better timed, seeking to
aid, not indirectly create, revolution. The policy
Of assisting an actual revolutionary struggle might
be matter of Congressional discussion the policv
Of interfering where none exists 10 more than
questionable 1.-THE proposed movements to have
no result, it 10 idle If it il to have results il il to
induce revolutionary action. With our Govern.
"ent, at present. policy must temper it's action in
reference to European revolutions and struggles.
1t Is unfortunate, too, that this we'll designed
movement has given a new opportunity for the
outpeurings of reckless and insane fanatici,m.
This fact, coupled with the management of the
Compromise resolutions. in Congress, and in the
democratic caucus, gives warning of stormy sc.
sion. Congress has much to do in vislant vindi.
cation of the principles of nationality; and if it
work not well and wisely. sectionalism NAV return
upon us with renewed force 1t has much also TO
DO in indicating our national honor abroad. If
It properly perform all these duties of immediate
Ind domestic necessity, it will have but little left
Tor regulating Europe, discussing the domestic
mai" Of foreign nations, and debating questions
INVOLVING countless indirect issues.
New Books.
From J. B. Stssl. 90 Camp street.
aEHssRE Tracy the Trial. of MERCANTILE Life and III.
J. G. Riier. N'" h"A'
The title Of this little book Indicate. its charac.
81. Moral truths are worked upon web of fic-
ion in q simple and plensing stvle