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

for liberty in behalf the nations of the EARTH some one
man more than another becomes identified with the strug
Cling people by his virtues, his wisdom, his vaor his
suerings, until he eclipses all others who may be
ciated with him. and to be regarded by the country
itself in whose behalf he abors struggles, suffers,
and is regarded by mankind as the representative Of that
nation and of that great cause.
The deliverance Of Switzerland brings up the associa
ton at once Of the of William Tell; the struggle of
Scotland for national independence calls up the of
Wallace; and all the world, hears the
American revolution spoken of but it calls up before him
the majestic form Of Washington: So Mr.. President it
has happened that the Of Hungary calls up
the great and towering fame Of the author the hero
and the sufferer of the Hungarian revolution How,
then shall we say that do not know that Kossuth
is worthy to be regarded the friend and advocate of
liberty in his own country Shall we say that he does
not merit the homage paid to him the leader of the
Hungarian revolution? Hungary herself has set the seal
upon his merits, and has concluded that question and
it would be unreasonable and absurd listen those
ns @ 81
whether in honorng Kossuth really honoring the
Of liberty and the Of his unfortunate country
But it asked why should the American people engage
in paying these honors to Kossutfor granting all his
merits, still he has done nothing for America That is
true, SIR he never did any thing for America for we
have reached that time when man living out of America
confer upon benefit We are beyond the reach
of benecence other than that which may receive
the hands of the Creator and Preserver of all nations
But do reward only those who confer benefits
Certainly not We honor all those who the glorious
cause Of civil liberty throughout the earth That is
cause and honor those who advance and promote it.
But although Kossuth has done nothing for this country
Europe has 1t has sent Lafayette, Koscusko De
Kab and Steuben and they have created debt against
which, while cannot pay it to the iustrious dead
still find fit recipients for the payment in the per-
sons of the ilustrious living.
will notice single other objection, and then will
leave this resolution to its fate 1t is the apprehension
that, by the adoption Of this similar measure, the
Congress of the United States would commit itself to
act of Intervention in the affairs of Europe, by which the
Government of the United States may be embarrassed in
its foreign relations am lover Of peace, and shall
never freely give consent to any which think
will tend to involve this nation in the calamities of TO-
reign war. believe that while our mission is mission
of repubcansm, yet that shall best execute that mis-
sion by maintaining peace at home and peace with all
mankind and thus by the greatness of example convince
mankind of the excellence of the republican system If
in this step in advance towards the bloody
field of contention the shores of Europe too would
hesitate before would vote for it. But advance
towards any such danger in doing simple of national
justice and magnanmity
think that will deny the principle that nation
may do for the of liberty in other countries what
ever the laws of nations do not forbid plant myself
upon that prlncplehat what the laws OF nations do not
forbid any nation may do for the of civil liberty in
any other nation country Now, the laws Of nations
do not forbid hospitality the laws of nations do not for
bid sympathy with the exilesympathy with the over
thrown champion of freedom. The laws of nature call
forth and demand that hospitality, and from the very in
most sources OF our nature springs up that sympathy
What is that great epic poem which has filed the second
onsf mankind for two thousand years but the history
Of exile flying from the walls Of his burning and DESC
lated city and his falling state The laws of nature
ure and the laws demand hospitality to those
who fee and despair This is all that
have done and all that We propose to do. We have IN
vted Kossuth here; have procured ms reIease from
captivity have brought him here; and now we only
propose to say to him. he stands before upon
shore his eyes directed towards us, and while
we know that the eyes of the civilized world fixed
upon him and u.s. Louis Kossuth in the and behalf
Of he I'M we vOu n
Mr.. SHIELDS I understand that the resolution that
before the Senate for consideration is the resolu
ton offered by the honorable Senator from New York,
(A1r SEwARD.)
The PRESIDENT That is the subject for considera-
ton.
Mr.. SHIELDS. shall therefore move an amendment,
and do it without the slightest intention of derogatng
from that resolution. would vote most cheerfuly for
that resolution but for the purpose of facilitating the
passage Of the measure, will strike out all after
the word g resolved and insert the following:
"Thata committee of three be appointed by the Chair
wait upon Kossuth Governor of Hungary, and
troduce him to the Senate"
That is very BRIEF and has at least that advantage.
Now, will state to the Senator from New York (Mr.
ment that may not be considered that are run
ming in opposition to each other in this matter. s
find in the proceedings in relation to the reception Of
Lafayette that joint committee of the Senate and House
of Representatives appointed to make arrangements
for his reception and this is what the report s read
from the account of the proceedings of the House of Re-
representatives.: sa
The House committee reported that they have the
committee of the Senate that subject and that the
mees have agreed to recommend to their respective Houses
that each House receive Gen. Lafayette in such it
shall deem most suitable for the occasion"
That is what was then sad--that each House receive
him in the they deem most suitable for the
son stating at the time that there mode of
receiving him jointly. a W
Now here is the account of the proceedings when he
was received. g At 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 committees announced the presence of
the General in the following words We introduce Gen.
Lafayette to the Senate of the United States That s
the whole ceremony, and regard 1t excellent pre-
cedent We introduce General Lafayette to the Senate
of the United States" That is simple but ample in all
respects. 84
But do wish to prolong the debate by any discus
sion whatsoever In fact regret that soid much
did yesterday because think that act of courtesy
should always be clothed in few words possible.
would say to the Senator from New York (Mr SEwARD)
that hope he will accept my amendment and the mat
ter will be got through with.
The PRESIDENT The Chair is under the impression
that the Senator from Illinois r SHIELDs) is not at Ii
berty to offer the amendment he proposes. The resolu
ton under consideration is joint resolution which has
come before the Senate has been read twice. and is
in Committee of the Whole while the resolution that the
Senator offers by way of substitute is simple resolution
for the action Of this House only.
Mr. SHIELDS. know nothing of the rules, unfortu-
nately at least but very little Still understand that
it is competent to strike all after the word
s resolved" and substitute something else.
The PRESIDENT. That be done in the case of
single resolutions.
Mr. SHIELDS. / hope that the Senator from New
York Nfr SEwARD will accept this in lieu of the he
has offered it win obyiate all the difficulties we now