Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-20

mously willing accord respect this disngushe
stranger The principal difficulty has heretofore been
TO the manner in which that respect shall be accorded
The Senator from Illinois Mr. SHELDs) has looked int
the precedents, and think he has very satisfactorily
shown that the precedent he has brought forward
entitled to respect is very obvious that geut
men, preferring forms sanctioned by precedent, wou1
vote against the resolution Of the Senator from New Yo
Mr. SEWARD and, without some explanation, that ~
would be misunderstood by the country therefore hop
that in spirit Of compromise, the Senator from Nev
York (Mr SEw4RD) will withdraw his resolution anu a1
low the other to be offered.
Mfr. BERRIEN. believe that the Chair has dscidcd
that the amendment offered by the Senator from Illinois
Mr.. SHIELDs) is not in order.
The PRESIDENT. That is the decision of the Chair
Mr. BERRIEN. And unless that decision is appealed
FROM the question up the resolution Of the SCI
nator from New York. Nr. SEWARD and upon that rev
solution wish to submit some brief remarks
beg leave to say in relation to the precedent referred
tohe reception of Lafayette-that that the result
of the joint resolution and action Of the two Houses Of
Congress that their committees and conferred and
separately reported to their respective Houses 1t aods
no precedent whatever for the course now proposed
Spposon q Ea b. ny sssas chr Dawse 50 fs5 e
sipp (Ar FoorH goes and oppose equally myself tho
resolution Of the Senator from New York Ir SEwARD)
in the form in which it is presented But desire say
at the outset that may not be misunderstood upon this
subject that this opposition arises from doubt As to
the merits of the services of the individual whom it
proposed thus honor As patriot who has distinguish
",
admit him to the highest degree of respect.
have not been inattentve observer Of the events
which have occurred in Hungary within the last three
four years have seenA that people struggling for the
achievement Of their national independence. have
oiced in their prosperity and have sympahized with
them in their msfortunes. But / am perfectly well
aware, every body must be who has given his atten
ton to the subject that that struggle for the
vaton Of their national and ancient constitution which
operated with great inequality upon the various classes
there But did doubt that when that independence
was obtaned-when peace was restored, and when the
existence of Hungary independent nation
quiesced inthe principles Of civil liberty incident
such struggle would have made such progress would
have resulted in ameoratng the organic law Of that
ton and giving equal rights to all classes Of that people
With this view of the subject have been anxious and
soicous observer of the progress of things in Hun
gary any other individual has been. have reoiced
in the apparent prosperity Of that struggle and have
most deeply regretted its failure Il have been ut a times
willing to accord to this distinguished individual
ferred to, and willing to accord to him, the merit
of having exerted himself for 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 should be understood from
the position that feel myself constrained take by my
duty as on American Senator, that would pluck
single leaf from the laurel which should encrcle
the brow of the patriot whether in triumph adyersty
who is struggling for the advancement of the principles
of civil liberty. No, sir, that is not my desire.
Now, if this resolution is it has been suggested
simple idle expression of the feeling of the Ameri
Congress of their appreciation of the conduct of Louis
Kossuth why, question much whether under the cir
cumstances in which we are now paced-engaged as
in the performance of constitutional duties, with
of business before which will require
est constant unremtng, and undivided attention for
long Of tmeI say that question much whether
should employ ourselves and consume time
in regulating the terms of mere idle complment-dIe
in the view of him to whom it is addressed as know
rom iis -apeated declarations That is question which
submit = tne test Of the individual onniAn e srs5
We have got to point Of time in system Of pro-
when the suggestion OF precedents seems to stop
We not to look for Them but to decide upon
existing questions they arise and to make pre-
cedents which value and observe
to discard at their pleasure Now, am not willing to
depart from the which has been pursued by
predecessors unless some reason be assigned for that
departure which shall be satisfactory my judgment
Now, gentlemen refer to the Of the Marquis La
fayette precedent to be followed by in this
Are in an American assembly the highest legisla
tive council of the nation, enjoying the benefits of the
struggles of that illustrous in causeare
put the presented to upon comparison with
that of Lafayette Who that distinguished man. and
what his services? Sir it is of the most extra
ordinary which the history of the world furnishes
He was born under a monarchical Government He was
French noble invested with all the privileges Of his rank
and accustomed to the Difference which paid to it.
But he determined to orego all the privileges Of birth and
education he orbore the enjoyment of all those priy
eges which it his right in the country of his nativity
to enjoy he abandoned all these and came to u.s. and
threw life and fortune upon the upon which
fathers had thrown theirs. He copatriot,
friend he was brother He devoted himself with all
the energies of his mnd to assist in the achievement
of liberty. And he to this country, where he
received the reception that is referred to precedent
for in this not to advance political principle
to agtate question which told is connected with
the upheayngs Of revolution in Europe, but he
revisit the of his early and glorious struggles
the Of our freedom he grasp the hands Of
his brethren in who had struggled with him for the
achievement of our liberty. Aye, and he to view
the glorious spectacle which by the
full administration Of that free Government which he had
hazarded life and fortune to establish.
1t was to this man, coming to under such circurl
stances that this compliment was offered Sir it has
parallel 1t have parallel 1t stands alone and
it should be permitted to stand alone. would di
mnsh the value of the compliment which paid to the
Marquis Lafayette by its repetition in favor of any living
He to enjoy the pleasure of witnessing the
successful administration Of free and independent Gov
ernment We owed him debt of gratitude and we en-
deavored to discharge it. We gave him the reception
which feelings prompted and which his services in
justly demanded. 1t is in yain therefore, to
look the of the Marquis de Lafayette prece
dent for the which proposed to pursue this
occasion.
But if this were really and truly the mere unmeaning
compliment which gentlemen seem to think it may be
considerations tits said that it commits to action
it is assumption part to express the feelings
of the American people in relation to this distinguished
individual by bidding him welcome to halls. If it
sof this the whole extent Of the resolution
proposed by the Senator from New York; say again
that should content myself with exercising my own judg
ment in my vote without troubling the Senate with
the remarks which propose to make upon this subject
But Mr. President this resolution is to be considered not
merely with reference to the terms in which IL is express
ed but with reference to- and in close connexion WITH
the circumstances under which it is presented This in
dvidua distinguished by his exertions in the effort to
II -