The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-11

engagements Tor his reception and this is what The report
is read from the account OF the proceedings OF the
House OF Representatives,; s,s. IS ann .t.erH
The House committee reported that they have met the
committee OF the Senate that subject, and that the
houses that each General Lafayette In such
manner as shall deem most suitable for the OCCASION
Thai is what was then sad-that each house receive
him in the they deem most suitable for the ocea
sion, stating al the time that there no mode OF
receiving him jointly
Now. here is the account OF the proceedings when he
was received "A one o'clock Gen. Lafayette entered
the chamber OF the Senate accompanied by the commit
tee OF that body On entering the bar Mr. Barbour. the
chairman OF the committee announced the presence OF
the General in the following words: I'VE Introduce Gen
Lafayette to the Senate OF The United States" That is
the whole ceremony, and regard excellent pre-
cedent "We introduce General Lafayette TO the Senate
Of the United States" That is simple, but ample in all
respects.
But do not wish to proong the debate by any discus
sion whatsoever In fact, regret that said much
as did yesterday, because think that an act OF cour
esy should always be clothed in few words as posi-
Bile would say to The senator from New York Mr.
SEwAnpl that hope he will accept my amendment, and
The PRESIDENT. The Chair is under the impress
sion that the senator from Illinois Mr. SmELDsl is
not at liberty to offer the amendment he proposes. The
resolution under consideration is joint resolution,
which has come before the Senate has been read twice.
and is in committee of the whole, while the resou-
ton that the senator offers by way Of substitute is
Mr.. SHIELDS. | know nothing of the rules, unfor.
una!ely, or at least but very little Sill understand
that II is competent to move TO strike out all after the
word " resolved" and substitute something else
The PRESIDENT, That can be done il the case of
MI. SHIELDS. hope that the senator from New
he has offered as il will obviae all the difficulties we
now meet with in this matter.
Mr.. BERRlEN. This appears TO me TO be a very in
senator from New York [Mr. SEWARD proposes joint
action OF the two houses OF Congress- The amendment.
of the gentleman from illinois [Mr. SHIEIDsl proposes
fha ,F fha ttvnc aDOO ~
together. Now, it would be WE'LL appehend, for the
senator from Illinois Mr. SHIELDs] TO allow the resoa
lion of the senator from New York Mr. SEWARD to be
disposed of and then introduce what he proposes now as
The PRESIDENT, The Chair has already stated tina,
By the xe"eman from mi Illinois, sp SHIELDS
Mr.. FOOTE, of Mississippi | wish TO make sug-
geslion in regard 10 this matter. We all have the
unanimously are willing TO accord respect to this dsn-
guished stranger The principal difficulty has heretofore
been as TO the manner in which that respect shall be
corded The senator from Illinois Mr.. Shields has
looked into the peceden,s and think he has very salts
acorly shown that the precedent he has brought for
ward is now entitled 10 respect II is very obvious that
dent would vote against the resolution Of the senator
from New York, [Mr. SEWARD and, without some
PLANTATION, that act would be misunderstood by the
senator from New York [Mr SEWARD will withdraw
his resolution, and allow the other to be offered
Mr.. BERRlEN believe that the Chair has decided
Mr.. SHIELDsl is not in order.
The PRESIDENT. Tha, is the decision of the Chair
Mr. BERRIEN And unless that decision is appealed
a,or from New York. (Mr SEWARD and upon that
resolution wish TO submit some brief remarks
beg leave 10 say in relation to the precedent referred
to--the reception OF Laiayee-that that the result
of the joint resolution and action OF the two houses OF
Congress; that their committees met and conferred, and
separately reported to their respective houses Ii affords
no precedent dhatever for the course now proposed
MIR. HALE. Mr.. President
Mr.. BERRIEN If am in order. + will proceed.
Mr.. HALE. was waiting TO get the attention OF the
Char in order to make an appeal from the decision Of
The PRESIDENT. The senator from Georgia IMr.
BERRIEN] has the floor The Chair, however, would be
pleased If that senator would waive his privilege and
allow the question Of order TO be decided now.
Mr. BERRiEN ] consider this entirely too grave a
matter 10 be involved in such questions and would
prefer to go now, and let the question OF order be
made after get through.
The PRESIDENT. II no question is raised the sena
Mr.. BERRlEN | concur with my colleague Mr.
DAwsoN] so far a. his opposition TO the resolution OF the
senator from Mississippi tMr FOoTEl goes, and oppose
equally myself the resolution of the senator from New
York Mr. SEWARD in the form in which If is presented
But desire TO say at the outset. that may not be mis-
understood upon this subject, that this opposition arises
from no doubt as to the merits OF the services OF the ind
vidnal whom it is proposed thus honor As patriot
who has distinguished himself in the OF civil lib
erty, am willing 10 admit him 10 the highest degree OF
respect.
have not been an ina,,eniive observer OF the events
winch nave occurred IN hungary within The last three
four years have seen that people struggling for the
achievement, of their national independence have re-
joiced in their prosperity and have sympahzed with
them in their misfortunes. But | am perfectly well
aware, as everybody must be who has given his atte
ton TO this subject that that struggle for the preserv
alton Of their na,isDal and ancient constitution, which
operated with great inequality upon the various classes
there But did not doubt that when that independence
was obtaned-when peace was restored, and when the
existence OF hungary as an independent nation
Quiesced nthe principles OF civil liberty incident 10
such a struggle would have made such progress as
wouM have resulted in ameioraing the organic law
OF that naion, and giving equal rights to all classes
been as anxious and as soicous observer OF the
progress OF things in Hungary any other individual
has been have reoiced in the apparent prosperity of
that struggle and have most deeply regretted lis failure
have been at all times willing TO accord 10 this dsn-
guisbcd individual referred TO, and now will.
ling TO accord 10 him. the merit OF having exered himself
Tor the advancement Of the principles OF civil liberty in
manner which commends him To the feelings OF every
American citizen And am far from being willing that
II should be understood, from the position that feel my.
sell constrained to take by my duty American SEN
ator, that would pluck single leaf from the laurel
crown which should encrcle the brow of the patriot
whether in triumph adversely. who is struggling for
the advancement OF the principles oil civil liberty. No,
sir, that Is not my desire.
Now, this resolution H. as IT has been suggested,
mere simple idle expression OF the feeling Of the Ameri
can Congress OF their appreciation OF The conduct OF
ouis kossuih, why question much whether under the
circumstances in which we are now paced-engaged
we in the performance of our constitutional duties,
with mass OF business before us which will require
our earnest. constant, unemng, and undivided alien.
ton Tor long course oil mel say tina, question much
whether we should now employ ourselves and consume
our time in regulating the terms OF idle compli-
mentide IN the view OF him to whom IT is addressed,