The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-12-24
WoODsFIELD, OHIO, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER a. 1851

you, would not have felt authorized 10
cross the Atlantic, at this very time, only
for the purpose to exhibit to you my warm
thanks | would have thanked you by
facts contributing to the freedom of the
European continent, and would have post
poned my visit to glorious shores till the
decisive battle for liberty was fought
if it were my destiny to outlive that day.
Then what is the motive Of my being here
at this very time? The motive, citizens,
is that your generous act Of my liberation
has raised the conviction throug hout the
world that this generous act Of yours is
but the manifestation of your resolution TO
throw your weight into the balance where
the fate Of the European continent is to be
weighed. You have raised the conviction
throughout. the world, that by my liberia
ton you were willing to say, "Ye oPpres-
ed nations Of old Europs's continent, be
of good cheer; the young giant of Ameri-
ca stretches his powerful arm over the
waves, ready to give brothers. hand to
your future" So is your act interpreted
throughout the world. You, in your proud
security, can scarcely imagine how bene-
fetal this conviction has already proved to
the suffering nations Of the European con-
tinent, You can scarcely imagine what
self confidence you have added TO the res
olution of the oppressed. You have knit
the tie of solidarity in the destinies of ma
tons. cant doubt that you know how |
was received by the public opinion in eve
ry country which touched since am free,
and what feelings my liberation has elicit
ed in those countries which it was not my
lot to touch. You know how |, Il plain,
poor, penniless exile, have almost become
centre OF hope and confidence to the
most different nations, not united but by
the tie Of common sufferings.
What is the source of this apparition
unparalleled in mankind's history! The
source of is, that your generous act Of
my liberation is taken by the world for the
revelation of the fact, that the United States
are resolved not to allow the despots Of the
world to trample on oppressed humanity
ltls hence that my liberation was cheered,
from, Sweden down 10 Portugal, as a ray
Of hope. 1t is hence that even those ma
tons which most desire my presence in
Europe now, have unanimously told me,
"HAsten onN Nhasten on 10 the great. free.
rich and powerful people Of the United
States, ahS bring, over its brotherly aid 10
the cause ofSpur country. so intimately
connected with> European liberty" and
here stand to plead the cause Of the sol
idiarity of human ri shas before the great
republic OF the United States. Humble as
| ap, God, the Almighty, has selected me
to re present the cause Of humanity before
you. My warrant TO this capacity is writ
ten in the sympathy and confidence OF all
Who;- your elder brother, the people OF
Britain, sympathize with the oppressed
my warrant to this capacity is written in
the hopes and expectations you have ent-
tied the world to entertain, by liberating
me out of my prison, and by restoring me
to activity. But it has pleased the Almigh-
ty TO make out Of my humble self yet an
other opportunity for thing which may
prove a happy turning point in the desti-
nies OF the world. bring you brother
ly greeting from the people of Great Bri-
tain. | speak not in an official character,
impaired by diplomacy, whose secresy is
the curse of the world, but am the har-
binger Of the public spirit of the people,
which has the right to impart direction to
its government, and which Witnessed,
pronouncing itself in the most decided
manner, openly-that the people Of Eng
land, united to you with enlightened BROTH
erly love, as it is united in blood--con-
scious Of your strength as it is conscious
of its own, has forever abandoned every
sentiment of irritation and rivalry, and de-
sires the brotherly alliance Of the United
States to secure to every nation the sover-
eign right to dispose of itself, and to pro-
tect the sovereign right Of nations against
the encroaching arrogance of despots, and
leagued to you against the league Of des'
pots, to stand, together with you. godiath-
er to the approaching baptism of Europe
an liberty.
Now, Gentlemen, have stated my po.
sition. am straightforward man. |
am republican. have avowed itopen-
ly in the monarchal, but free England;
and | am happy to state that have moth.
ing lost by this avowal there. | hope |
will not lose here, in republican America,
by that frankness, which must be one of
the chief qualities of every republican.
So beg leave, frankly and openly, to
state the following points:-First, that |
take it to be duty Of honor and principle
not to meddle with whatever party ques,
ton of your own domestic affairs. lclalm
for my country the right to dispose Of it.
self; so am resolved, and must be resolv-
ed, to respect the same principle here and
everywhere. May others delight in the
part of knights errant for theories. 1t is
not my case. | am the man OF the great
principle of the sovereignty of every peo-
pie to dispose of its own domestic con-