The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-31

witnessed the struggle and defeat, "a temporary
one, he trusted,) and knowing what he did Of the
struggle, he should be unworthy Of a seat in this
body, knowing the wishes Of the people whom he
represents, could he hesitate moment to his
vote on this resolution.
This was not the place, nor the occasion, to go
into the history Of the hungarian war, in which
Kossuth was engaged. The time for speeches has
gone; the time for action has arrived. This indi-
vidual ID in our country, as before his arrival he
was in the hearts of our countrymen. He is at our
doors; and shall wound him in the house of his
| friends?
Tell me not that he has come here as an exile or
| an immigrant; he was received by national sa-
Lutte from fortress IN command OF the President
of the United States and the Government Of the
country. II seems then, to me, that good faith on
part, justice, to say nothing of other feelings,
and especially after the passage of the other resou
ton by this body, should prompt us to pass this
resolution, and extend to him the courtesy de-
signed.
In giving my vote, wish it to be understood
| that am opposed, in common with other gentle
men, to interference with the affairs of Europe, for
| have viewed with alarm the men who surround
Kossuth; and say, if we do it, and commence
the interference with foreign States on the grounds
OF humanity, wo will be called upon to interfere
| with domestic affairs in own country.
plant myself on the platform of non interven-
tom but it seems that good faith, to say nothing
of humanity calls for the passage Of the resolution
of the gentleman from Ohio.
| Mr. GENTRY, after a few Introductory remarks,
said that while he was opposed TO interference in
the afiairs OF foreign nations, he would not admit
that afraid. ship was sent out for Kossuth,
and he is here, regarding himself in some sort,
| the nations guest. Let Kossuth speak as much
he pleases. He was willing to let him go into eve
ry Congressional diatriGt' and he (Mr; CD was
convinced that the people would 1t be disposed to
depart from our former and uniform line OF poll
cy. fthe people cannot solve all questions sub
United to them, then our Government is founded
on false foundation. He considered Louis Kos
suth harmless If he was wrong in this he
wrong in the belief that the Government is found
| cd ON true principles. If the people be made
| to forget Washington by the teachings of Kossuth,
| then the Government is of no account, the whole
experiment Of our fathers Is OF no avail, and the
| Government a failure.
He may have the rabble of New York and un-
| principed deinagogues shouting at his heels, and
saying that they ready to do anythng-they
| never did anything valuable, and never will; but
! let them shout and huzza Their opinions are
harmless. Let Kossutb speak. Who's afraid
| Laughter One thing should be guarded against;
| il should not be oyerdone Let him speak as much
he wishes to; give him five or ten dollars for the
fun. He cannot apostatse the people of this coun-
| try. If gentlemen have surplus funds, let them
| fork Weare rich and liberal, and can afford
little of that kind of depletion. We will give
them the pillar of cloud by day, and that of fire by
| night, to guide them like the children OF Egypt
| to the promised land-to guide them from despot-
! ism to the sunlight of liberty.
| But this resolution merely presents question Of
civility and courtesy, and involves nothing be-
| yond that. There ought to be no debate nor con-
| test about il.
| Mr.. STEPHENS, Of Georgia, replied to por-
ton of the Introductory remarks OF MIR. GENTRY,
and asked, what do we see here in an American
Congress, sworn to support the Constitution-the
legacy bequeathed to us by fathers? What does
that instrument say? That we shall make rules for
our government Have made such rules? We
| have. But where do we find gentlemen! Riding
them in the presence Of the Father OF his Coun
| try, transmitted to us by the artists hand. One
rule declares that no person shall be privileged TO
enter this hall except the particular classes desig
| 4oI Alatt hall ha
or abolished unless one days previous notice be
given. But here to- day gentlemen rode over these
rules, passed in pursuance of the Constitution.
Poor defenders OF liberty, when you have made
inockery Of your own.
He was the friend of his countryside only free
country earth-and he asked why and how is it
that this boon has been protected! Ii was by the
Constitution, the supreme law OF the land. We
have standing armies. 1t is protected by the
supremacy of the law. He called on every man
who regards his country to maintain the princi-
pies which il is founded. And he said, with the
gentleman from Tennessee, that the only issue at
which Kossuth is aiming 10 Intervention or non
tervenon--armed Intervention.
Kossuth has never been invited to this country.
We offered him shelter on our extensive domain,
pursued and hunted down as he We babe
bim welcome exile but not as propagan-
dist, and TO seat this floor. He repudiates the
idea Of being exile, and seeks to make us
change the policy OF this Government As Ame-
ricans, must meet the Issue. For one, he was
prepared for il. kossuth is great man if he can
man from Virginia has stated, that there are not
more than twenty men in Congress in favor Of in
tervention let it DO made known by the vote OF the
House.
to the fret indication OF revolution by overriding
the rules. Ii was the fret time he had seen the
Constitution broken down by strong hands.
Mr. GENTRY replied to the gentleman, and ex-
pressed his opinion that when the House goes into
Committee OF the Whole on the state of tho Union
they can originate any measure demanded by the
exigency of the occasion 1t may sometimes be re
quste that all rules be set aside and it done every
day 1t has, however, grown into an abuse, which
ought TO be corrected.
Mr. RANTOUL was in favor OF the resolution,
not because Kossuth is identified with liberty in
Europe nor because he stands before the world as
the champion of national independence, but be-
cause he comes here the representative of princi-
plies peculiar heretofore TO our own institutions.
The cause of Hungary is the cause of sovereign in
dependent States, with one common executive.
Kossuth stands here the first European cham
pion OF States rights. This ia the highest claim he
has to the regard of the civilized world. He wei
coined Kossuth because he (Mr loved this
Union, and because, II the encronchment OF cen
traizaton be not checked all free institutions will
perish. Here is man whose life has been devoted
in opposition to Capitalization,
MIR. EWING addressed the committee, and, in
the course of his remarks, said that Kossuth has
proclaimed, and he gavo him due credit for his
honesty, that must intervene, and if our decla-
ration be not regarded, it must result in war.
Then the time hos como when we should know how
far we are to go.
Without taking a question the pending
amendment
The committee rose-aycs 81, noes 60.
The CHAIRMAN reported that the Committee of
the Whole on the state oftho Union had the Union
generally under consideration, and had como to
no resolution thereon.
This created laughter.
After conversation as to the indefinite character
of the report, sevcral gentlemen wanting some
thing tangible to act upon
Mr.. FICKLIN offered resolution to terminate
the debate in thirty minutes after the House should
again go into committee, and moved the previous
question.
A motion made that when the House adiourn
| it adjourn until Friday; but il did not prevail
| And then the House adjourned until to morrow.
PETITIONS.
yMr. SCUDDER: The petition Of Willis IIaines