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

said that the precedent found does not apply because
fayette greater than Kossuth, had greater
claims upon regard. Both Of them were men, be
lieve Both were iustrious men. Both were chappicn
of freedom. Both had suffered in maintaining
It's was kossuth, and Kassuthis no
lafayette; kt - orR can deny that the oharater b
each y such g Naturally coianaH The respect eta ma
ton Of freca,en. III k
We have said already by resolutions adopted nearly
year ago, that Kossuth entitled special sym
patty undertake assert, therefore that the prece
dent established in the OF Lafayette is applicable
all its material bearings TO this case do not care yer.
much though about precedent in such This is IL
some degree question of common sense and still more
question q manly feeling question 70 some extent ais
involving our character supporters OF republican ntf
tntions- not prepared to hear it said, even in
simulated here that should shudder with alarm in ths
performance Of what may consider high moral duty
70 the of freedom, account of the danger which
IS supposed exist OF offending his High Mightnes
the Gar Of Russia resolved perform what deem
my duty American Senator, and to risk all conse
quences and shall respect the Government Of this re
public far less than do when shall fail to perform
its clear public duty from dread of the
demnaton of any Of the despotc Powers Of chrstendom
fear that there has been much Of this feeling in
national conncils in times past; and am sure that we
have arrived at period when it becomes to express
opinions of public and Of Governments with more
freedom and bolness than has heretofore been usually
practised by men in power
We owe, l believe, TO the ilustrious Governor OF
Hungary cordial national reception. Can any one pre-
tend that such reception would violate the laws OF ma
tions? No has pretended that would What right
4
it? Is it dsrespectful him who is, in
the judgment Of the civilized world possessed Of higher
moral attributes than any regning monarch, with special
respect and with reverentia homage? Ii this po-
tenate could feel nsuted at an act on part be-
coming, natural, and should be silly enough to COM
plain of it, he would expose himself TO the laughter and
contempt Of the civilized world and should rejoice that
his proud and Gallons heart had been made to feel the
softenng influence IF lharrin and sna.'iS
must confess that greatly prefer the proposition of
nv friend from Illinois, (Mr. SHIELDS j and, but for the
extraordinary desire fe by the honorable Senator from
Georgia crafty the American public with his views IN
enso this subject the resolution Of the Senator from
Illinois might have been accepted by the Senator from
New York substitute for HIS and there would have
been end of the matter The performance Of such an
that indicated by the resolution OF the Senator
Illinois would not have affected peaceful relations
with the Governments of Europe. How is it possible
that any mischief possibly arise from being intro
duced Governor Kossuth in hail. and the other
members and the Government performing the rites of hos
pitaty in such they deem appropriate and be-
coming? Sir, I deeply deplore this whole debate
must say that think it is calculated to deract somewhat
from the dignity of the Government itself Comparisons
have been INDUCED and parallels attempted to be
which, whilst they testified ingenuity of rather
trivial and worthless character not ut all in unison
must think either with the rules Of good breeding
or the laws Of sound taste.
Mr. SUMNER obtained the floor, but it being now
halfpas three, yielded to motion to adjourn where
upon the Senate adjourned
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1851.
motl0n OF SEWARD the senate proceeded 10 the
consideration of the Special Order being the resolution Of
welcome to Kossuth.
/ Mr.. SUMNER. Mr. President, words are sometimes
things and cannot disguise from myself that the
luton in honor of Louis Kossuh pending before the
Senate, when finally passed, will be act Of no small
significance in the history of country The Senator
from Georgia right when he said that it
meaning compliment Beyond its immediate welcome to
ustrons stranger it will help to combine and direct
the sentiments of people every where 1t will
n WI IN
for freedom it will challenge the disturbed attention of
despots; and it will become precedent whose impor
lance viii grow, in the events of the future
with the growing might Of the Republic In this view it
becomes to consider well what we do, and to under
stand the grounds Of our conduct.
For myself am prepared to vote for il without amend
ment OK condition Of any kind and which seem
to at obvious and conclusive In assigning these
shall be brief; and let say that novice as am in
this hall and in all legislative halls nothing but my strong
interest in the question now presented and hope to
say something directly nEnn IT, con'd prompt me thus
The to require statement rather than an
argument As understand the last Congress requested
the President authorize the employment of of
public vessels receive and Louis Kossuth to the
United States That honorable service performed
under the express direction of the President and in
Of the vote Of Congress- by of the besappoint
ed ships Of navy-the steam-frigate Mississippi Far
away from country in foreign waters in the currents
of the Bophorus the Hungarian chief passing from his
Turkish exile first pressed the deck of this gallant
SELL first under the protection Of national fag
and for the first time in his life rested beneath the
sign Of an unquestioned republic From that moment he
became guest. The Republic which, thus far, he had
only in delighted dream vision his host
and though this relation interrupted for few weeks
by his wise and brilliant visit England, yet its duties
and its pleasures, confidently submit not yet
ended The liberated exile is at gates Sir,
cannot do things by halves and the hospitality thus
der the auspices of Congress begun, must under the
auspices of Congress be continued The hearts of the
people already open receive him Congress cannot
/ turn its back upon him.
But would Join in this welcome not merely because
it is essential to complete and the work of the last
Congress- but because guest deservest at hands
The distinction is great know but is not great
his deserts. He deserves it the early constant and
incorrupble champion Of the liberal in Hungary
who, while yet young with unconscious power, grded
himself for the contest and by series Of mastery Ia
bors with voice and pen, in parliamentary debates and
in the discussions Of the press brehed into his country
the breath of e He deserves by the great principles
of true democracy which he caused to be recognised
representation Of the people without distinction of rank
or birth, and equality before the aU He deserves it by the
trials has undergone in prison and in exile He de-
by the precious truth which he eloquent
~ proclaims of the fraternity Of nations.
\ As regard his course, am filled with reverence and
4 ave- see in him, more than in any other living man,
the power which may be exerted by single earnest,
honest SOUL In noble In himself he is than
. whole cabinet-more than whole army. watch him
in Hungary WHILE like Carnot in France. he organizes
victory " follow him in exile to distant Asiatc Turkey,
and there find him. with only scsnty band Of attendants
in weakness and confinement still the dread Of dcspots
sympathze with him in his happy release and now as
vation fills all in the contemplation Of his
while he land land from CITY