Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-27

console himself Would that We were as secure against
all other evils should against the wrath of Euro
pean soveregns for this act of hospitality; if were,
our Government would endure till all human Governments
shall have fulfilled their functions and disappeared.
prefer the original resolution of the Senatorfrom Mis-
sssipp and regret that he found it necessary with
draw It. trust, however that it win be renewed My
next choice is the one offered by the Senator from Illinois,
Mr. Shields , but if neither of these pass, shall
then vote for the proposition of the Senator from New
York. That, have said, is welcome rendered to
our guest and really sir, cannot treat with becoming
gravity the fear that its adoption is to raise storm Of in
dgnation against country which is almost blot us
out from the record of nations Never could and
effect be more disproportionate.
The honorable Senator from Georgia (AIr. BERRIEN)
proposes amendment, which is to from
perous condition. by making declaration which DEGREES
that declare nothing by this otherwise pregnant
luton. 1t is sort of pronuncamieato, il may say
which is to announce true object and the
exclusion of conclusion when the Russian and Austrian
cabinets to consider this grave measure directly
affecting the rights and honor of their soveregns 1t
kind Of abstract annunciaon of policy appended to
one of the most harmless procedures that took place
in our legislation.
Mr. President, utterly opposed to this careful
gard of the suscepbes European arbitrary monarchs
1t becomes neither the great people in part
present 1t is sad indeed that in effect using
threats towards the crowned heads who rule Russia
and Austria. most prolific engine Of mischief is this
same resolution Our counrymen have too much regard
for the character and position Of country to approve
of the of menacn language by their
Powers to suffer 1t to be used to them These all
chimeras, which am sure little reflection will dispel.
Let us stand fast to dignity character, and
principles That is threat and if it be taken such
by the Autocra of Russia by any body else be it.
Let him follow his course and seek his remedy
This proposed amendment is sort Of appeal to the
no offence, for we The resolution does
pledge us to do you any injury and we mean to let Hun
garan affairs take Of themselves. Well, sir it APP
pears to me that all this is uncaed for, undgnfed and
unworthy of the OF the sovereign States Of
this Union 1t shall never receive my assent
The old spectre Of precedents has been
vived hope that the two honorable Senators who have
opposed action this account will in the prece-
dent of Gen. Washington the true principles of this case
would ask the Senator from Georgia if the time has not
arrived when may set precedents for those who
follow u.s. as they have been set by those who pre-
coded us
It has been well said that the existing generation stands
upon the shoulders of it's predecessors its visual horizon
is enlarged from this elevation. We have the experience
OF these who have before and own too We
able to judge for ourselves without blindy following
in their footsteps There is nothing stationary in the
world Moral and intellectual well physical sciences
are in state of progress or, rather we are marching
EDWARDS in the investigation of their true principles 1t
is presumptuous ut any time to say that is the best
possible condition of human nature let sit still and be
satisfied there is nothing more to learn. believe in no
such doctrine. believe always learning. We
have right to examine for ourselves In fact it is
duty to do STILL sir, would not rashly reject the
experience of the world any than would bindy
IL. i
ate all the barriers raised by wisdom and to let in upon
us an nundation of many such opinions as have been
promulgated in the present age but far be it from me to
adopt principle of conduct that nothing to be done
except what has has been done BEFORE and precisely
was then done So much for precedents
Sir most extraordinary spectacle is this day presented
in the American Senate; extraordinary, / mean when
compared with what took place not long since in Of
those old regions which the cradle and threaten to
become the tomb of civilization The comparison of
with that Of the Sultan oTurkey is far from be-
ing fatterng to national vanity am apprehensiye
that the nations of the world will wonder at midy
Here are, haltng, hestating doubting afraid to
press our appreciation of great principle even in the
guise of mere hospitable, barren welcome And was
the conduct of the successor of the Prophet marked by
such vaciahon when he nsolently required to de-
liver those relics of revolution to their relentless
mics, that they might expire upon Austrian scaod,
suffer than death from Siberia and the nout?
He noby answered. 4.No; they haze my salt, and By
The faith Of the Prophet hair Of their heads shall be
touched" And if he had been drvenf the of
the Ohmans had been driven unurl the standard of
Mahomst and 70 defend his dominion mic and the sacred
American would have bid him God speed and would have
prayed for his in uphodng the doctrines of Chris
tianiy against the prosecuting spirit of sestyed Chris
tian rulers think that his rejection Of the demands OF
those two great Powers, of which touches his open
frontier for hundreds of miles, while the other is always
ready to pour its myrmdons from the heights Of the
Balkan, and to drive him from Constannope the
Bosphorus; say think his upon this occasion
Of the most remarkable instances of frmness
that the world has lately SEEN give him credit for it
and still the when with what cautious delibera
ton intelligent freemen explore this subject and how
willing they to move when there is in truth, "nong
10 make dtrdid.'
There another circumstance connected with this mat
ter of very different character but scarcely less extra
ordinary Here is subject presented to Congress in the
raves form by the President in his annual messages
document every where read through the civilized world
He asks special attention to it, and resolution is in
troduced honorable Senator has publicly stated
and doubted his word-at the instance Of the
Secretary of State give effect to the Presidents
mendation; and yet gentlemen of the polt
cal party opposing the whole proceeding with zeal
ing almost warmth because it may give offence to other
Powers The high officers specially charged with our
foreign relations and who ought best understand the
bearing of this proposition upon them tell by their
conduct that the proposition is right No injury
suit from it, will any have just Of complaint
repeat that the circumstance is very extraordinary
one and far beyond my comprehension. The Executive
says by the nature Of his communication there is no
danger in NIL this while assaled with Jere
maids almost procaiming the downfall of institutions
this question the President is abandoned by own party
and supported by Well sir, the President is right
and for l Administration man. / go for the
movement heart soul, and body. have fear of the
consequences; and if know my counrymen, they would
defend the sacred of free opinion and action if
sailed, against all the Powers of the earth
Mr.. BERRIEN. The question before the Senate is
upon the first branch of the amendment which had the
honor to submit Yet while that the question: and the
only proper for discussion the Senator from Michigan
mr. CAss) has travelled the whole ground of the
original resolution not disposed to follow him in
that dscursive But he has addressed certain of
his observations especially to me- reference to those
desire to make q brief reply.
The Senator from Michigan (ir CAss) inquiries en-
phatcaly, and of whether at this day, have not