The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-11


10 that If there is sentiment plainly and I'M
OCCASIONALLY expressed by the American people than any
other in regard 10 the Hungarian revolution and IN regard
10 the hero and champion OF Hungary, il is that OF XII
COME THE SHORES OF THE UNITED STATES. iaking
that idea as my guide, have merely submitted loin
resolution in which Congress declare that they give 10
Louis Kossuth whom they have invited hilheT, eoraM
eicome Less than this, Mr. President no man can pro-
pose who thinks II proper thai we shohd IN our ACTON
here take any notice whatever OF his arrival and more
than this may well be content TO waive, knowing hat
something like this. nothing, must pass and that this
/ would have lie passage of this resolution com
TO Kossuih by the President the executive or
gan of the republic Although my own feelings desire
further expression consent 10 waive II, under the con-
sideraon that the simplicity OF the act will give II Pc
culiar power know not in the history OF this nation
more sublime spectacle know not in the history OF
modern times a more sublime spectace-than would be
afforded by hearing the American Congress- in the name
and behalf OF the American people, give TO the represent
dial welcome on his escape from the perls Of his position
and his arrival this land where that system OF govern
ment established and in full and successful operation
There simplicity about 1t which is worthy the dignity
OF the American government and the American people.
There is simplicity in it worthy the character OF the
ius,rious citizen whom it proposes to honor. As have
said have no enacity in regard to this in pref
10 any other, which would make me averse TO &C
ceptng any other 1t to me 70 be preferable to that
upon the ground that having been adopted here. will
undoubtedly be adopted In the House OF Representa-
s vs' am w nus ss e o the
States did bring cause kossnth TO be brought here
under their authority that his reception should be
national act and that the houses OF Congress should
be divided, but should together in this great pro-
| ceedng. This form, ALSO seems TO commend itself to
adoption by the Senate, because stops short OF commit
the simple national action of giving Kossuh cordial
welcome. What desire is not the uterance OF words
welcome to Kossuh which the world expects him TO
ceve.
Objections have been made. TO which will advert
very briefly 1t has been said or minated that we are
well OF the merits OF kOSSuh--nOt well
quanted with the character OF Kossuth--hat do not
know certainly that be is entitled to this attention from
the American people.
Mr. President, in the course OF human events we see
the nations OF Europe struggling TO throw off the des
poc systems OF government and attempting 10 establish
government based upon the PRINCIPLES OF republican
ism or OF constitutional monarchy. Whenever such ef
forts are made. it invariably happens that the existing
despotsms OF Europe endeavor suppress The high and
holy endeavor and 10 snbdue the people by whom
made The consequence is that despotism has COM
mon cause and results that the OF civil and
constitutional liberty has, in all countries, become
one common cause.-the common Of mankind
against despotsm Now whatever nation leads the way
at any tme-at any crsis-in this contest for civil lib
erty, il becomes as we perceive, the representative OF
all the nations OF the earth We occupied that
BILE and interesting position and engaged the sympa
ihies OF civilized men throughout the world. No one
deny that now, recently, Hungary took that posi-
ton We had messenger on the spot ready to aknow-
edge her Independence and thus our own proceedings
show that we, in common with the friends of civil lib
erty elsewhere, hailed Hungary such representative
OF the nations OF the earth
MI President, II happens, IN The providence OF God,
whenever nation thus 10 open this controversy
for liberty in behalf of the nations of the EARTH
man more than another becomes identified with the
struggling people by bis virtues his wisdom his vaor or
his sufenpgs, until he eclpses all others who may be
socated with him, and be regarded by the country
itself in whose behalf he abos. struggles, suffers,
and is regarded by mankind the representative of that
nation and Of that great cause.
The deliverance Of Switzerland brings up the sssoca.
ton at once OF the name OF William Tell the struggle o!
Wallace; and ali over The world no man ever hears the
American revolution spoken OF but calls up before him
the majestic form OF Washington: 80, MIR. President,
has happened that the OF Hungary calls up al
the great and towering fame OF the author The hero
and the sufferer of the Hungarian revolution How,
then shall we say that we do not know that Kossu,h
worthy TO be regarded the friend and advocate OF
liberty in his own counry' Shall we say that he does
Hungarian revolu,on Hungary herself has The seal
upon his merits, and has concluded that question and
il would be unreasonable and absurd 10 listen those
who should dsparage the fame and character OF Wash
! ington as TO those who stand doubling and hesa-
ting whether in honoring kossuth really honor
ing the cause OF liberty and the cause OF his unfortunate
| country.
But il is asked why should the American people engage
in paying these honors TO Kossu,h or granting all his
merits, still he has done nothing for America That is
true, sir; he never did anything for Amortization
have reached that lime when no man living out OF
the reach Of benefcence other than tina, which we may
receive the hands of the Creator and Pfeserver of all
nations But do we reward only those who confer bene
fits us Certainly not We honor all those who
serve the glorious OF civil liberty throughout the
earth That is our cause and we honor those who ad.
vance and promote it, But although Kossulh has done
nothing for this country, Europe has IL has sent
Lafayette, Kosciusko, De kalb, and Steubeb, and
they have created deb, against US, which, while
pay il 10 the iilusrious dead still we find fit
cpents for the payment in the persons OF the lusrous
living.
| will notice a single other objection and then will
leave this resolution 10 its fate IL 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 EN-.
barrassed in its foreign relations lover OF peace,
and shall never freely give my consent TO any
which think will tend involve this nation the ca.
SION is mission OF repub canism, yet that we shall
best execute that mission by maintaining peace home
and peace with all mankind, and thus, by the greatness
OF example, convince mankind OF the excellence OF The
republican system II saw in this step in ad
vance towards the bloody field of contention on the
shores of Europe, TOO, would hesitate before would
vote for il. But advance towards any such
danger in doing simple act OF national justice and mag
nanmity.
nation may do for the OF liberty in other countries
whatever the laws Of nations do not forbid plant my
self upon that prncpethat what the laws OF nations DO
not forbid any nation may do for the cause OF civil lib
eriy any other nation and country. Now, the laws OF
nations do not forbid hospitality; the laws Of nations do
not forbid sympathy with the exIle-sympahy with the
overihrown champion Of freedom. The laws OF nature
call forth and demand that hospitality and from the very
inmost of nature springs up that sympathy
What that great epic poem which has filled the second
place in the admra'ionf had almost said in the aztec
history of exile flying from the walls OF his burn
inp and desoated CITY and HIS falling state The