Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-12-31
Kossuth

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goal Of his pilgrimage and hopes; and In
his progress thither has developed his great
mission, and enforced its claims upon the
American people, with an irresistible elo-
quence that has taken captive the hearts
of the masses, and force Of logical de.
monstration that has carried conviction to
thousands of the most cool headed and cir
cumspect among the leading minds Of our
country. 1t remains to be seen what &C.
ton Congress will take upon this impor-
tant subject. The people have already
spoken; and not only from Kossuth's in
mediate presence, but from almost every
quarter of the Union where his stirring
and powerful appeals have been borne on
tho wings of the press, they have sent back
resolu,e and enthusiastic response in be-
half of liberty and the vital principles OF
international law be so truthfuily and elo-
quently advocates. 1t is evident the great
majority Of the American people are with
him heart and hand and the potential
public opinion Of the Union ought to be,
and no doubt will continue to be, brought
to bear strongly upon their representatives,
in Congress to favorably influence their
action in his behalf When, in matter
Of this kind, constituents take the respon-
sibility, the representative need not long
hesitate as to the vote he should cast.
There does not appear to be any good
reason why Congress should refuse to re-
affirm the we'll established principle Of
non-intervention especially from SO abject
motive as fear Of offending any of the pi-
ratical Powers of Europe, who are perfect
ly reckless Of every just principle Of gov
ernment that stands in the way Of their re-
morselvss ambition, except when they find
it backed up by authority which they dare
not disregard. There are Nationa. duties
as well as individual-impcrative as they
are important; and they cannot be evaded
or shaken off, without sooner or later in
curing corresponding penalties We, as
nation, have outgrown the swaddling
clothes ofour infancy, and already rejoice
in the robust vigor of national manhood
ard in just cause can soberly and success
fully encounter any responsibility, howev-
er momentous, that the exigencies of the
times may cast upon US. Is it becoming,
then, that VIC should now begin to falter
in the fulflment of our high destiny, and
falsify the cherished hopes of the world? -?
That we should suddenly exhibit to man.
kind an emasculated political manhood,
that has neither the sagacity to perceive
the merits of the impending crisis, or en-
ergy Of purpose to meet the full RESPONSE
bilities it may Impose.
The American-Psople can not, and will
not, remain Indifferent to the STRUGGLES Of
Europe-a. nations for freedom and indepen.
dence ; and We are persuaded they will not
readily submit to the idea that our Gov
ernment shall look on with supine indiffer-
ence, while essential principles of interna-
tional law, in which we are directly and
deeply interested, are violated and annul-
led. The moral influence of our example,
upon which SO much stress is sometimes
laid, has already done all that mere opin-
ions can do, and the efforts of the germin-
ating principles of liberty to blossom and
fructify on the soil of Europe, are contin-
ually met and crushed by brute force, and
the contest has become one, that in the
very nature of things, can only be settled
in favor of the right, by an appeal to
arms; sad alternative, but inevitable, and
immeasurably preferable to the frightful
submission which is demanded The
crowned demons of Europe care nothing
for principles or opinions; all they value
or fear is porer. This being the case the
opinions and sympathies Of our people, un-
less embodied in some authoritative action
of the Government, are but as water pour
ed out upon the sand. and make no i'm
preston on the other side Of the Atlantic.
No one asks or expects Congress to rush
into crusade of republican propagandism,
or even diverge from the line Of safe pre-
cedents; but the people do ask that now,
when the occasion justly demands it, the
constituted authorities of the Union, in
the legitimate exercise of the powers with
which they are invested, shall promptly
and decisively declare in favor of endan-
gered principles of international law, that
all the world, republicans especially, have
a right to demand shall be maintained -
This, while of itself no more than an act
of national DUTY, will do more for Kos
suth and his cause, than all our popular
contributions of money and arms; and
will at the same time place us yectus in cu-
'ie right before the world, arrest war and
bloodshed, hasten the prevalence Of uni