The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-18

VI cnuSo III fiuukhfy, WhoJ "hhS
with unconscious power, grded himself 10
the contest and by a series of mastery labors
with voice and pen, in parliamentary debate
and in the discussions Of the press breathe'
into his country the breath of life He deserve
it by the great principles of true democrac,
which he caused to be ecognised-representa
ton of the people without distinction vt rank
or birth, and equality before The iaw. He de
servesit by the trials he has undergone in prison
and in exile. He deserves it by the preciou,
ruth which he now so eloquently proclaims o.
the fraternity of nations
As | regard his course, | am filled with
reverence and awe ! see in him, more than
in any other living man, the power which may
be exerted by single, earnest honest soul, In
| a noble cause. In himself he is more than a
whole cabinet-more than whole army.
watch him in Hungary, while, like Carnot IN
France, he "Organizes victory" | follow him
in exile to distant Asiatic Turkey, and there
find him, with only scanty band OF attend
ants, in weakness and confinement still the
dread Of despots sympathize with him in his
happy release and now, as he comes more
within the sphere of our immediate observa.
ton, amazement fills US all in the contempla-
ton of his career, while he proceeds from land
to land from city to city, and, with words of
matchless eloquence, seems at times the fiery
sword of freedom, and then the trumpet of res
direction to the nations-Tuba mirum spar
gems Sonum.
| know not how others have been impressed
but can call to mind noincident in history
no event of peace or war-certainly none OF
war---more strongly calculated-better adapt
ed-to touch and exslt the imagination and
| the heart than his recent visit to England. He
| landed the southern coast not far from
where William of Normandy, nearly eight cen
turtles ago, had landed not far from where
nineteen centuries ago. Julius Cesar had land.
ed also but William, on the field of Hastings
and Caesar, in his adventurous expedition, made
I no conquest comparable in grandeur to that
achieved by the unarmed and unattended Hun
gsrian A multitudInOus people, outnumber-
| ing far the armies of those earlier times was
subdued by his wisdom and eloquence and
this exile proceeding from place to place, tray
| ersng the country. at last, in the very heart OF
the kingdom. threw down the gauntlet of the
Republic. Without equiyooation, amidst the
| supporters of monarchy, in the shadow of a
! lofty thrOOa ha 'Nseclsimed himself a repubh-
I can, ana proclaimed enc rcPapmo 40 ...echer-
ed 2s,drgtip0 A.. TUNE airy. And vel anslIsl
Tie excitement 0iSnIs UNI faleieu scene, with
that discretion which pray may ever attend
him. as good angel-the ancient poet aptly
tells us that no Divinity is absent where Pru-
dence is present-he forebore all suggestion of
interference with the existing institutions of
the country whose guest he was recognising
that vital principle of selfgovernment by vir-
tue of which every State chooses for itself the
institutions and rulers which it prefers
Such a character. thus grandly historic-a
living Wallace living Tell had almost
said u living Washington-deserves our hom'
age. Nor am tempted to ask if there be any
precedent for the resolution now under con-
sideration. There is a time for all things and
the time has come for us to make precedent
in harmony with his unprecedented career.
The occasion is fit the hero is near let us
speak our welcome. 1t is true that, unlike
Lafayette he has never directly served our
country; but | cannot admit that on this
account he is less worthy. Like Lafayette he
periled life and all like Lafayette he has done
penance in an Austrian dungeon; like Lafay-
ette he has served the cause of freedom and
whatsoever serves this cause, wheresoever he
may be, in whatever land, is entitled, according
to his works, to the gratitude of every true
American bosom--of every true lover of man
kind.
The resolution before us commends itself by
its simplicity and completeness. In this respect
it seems to me preferable to that of the Senator
from Illinois nor is it obnoxious to objections
urged against that of the Senator from Misss-
sippi; nor do see that it can give any just
umbrage, in our diplomatic relations even to
the sensitive representative of Austria. Though
we have the high authority of the President in
his message for tyling our guest Governor -
title which seems to imply the de facto indie
pendence of Hungary at the very time when our
Government declined to acknowledge 1.-THE
resolution avoids this difficulty and speaks of
him without title of any kind-simply as pri-
vate citizen. AS such, it offers him welcome
to the capital and to the country
The comfy of nations respect. To the be-
hests of the law of nations profoundly bow
As in our domestic affairs, all acts are brought
to the Constitution, rs to touchstone so in
our foreign affairs, all acts are brought to the
touchstOne of the law of nations-that supreme
law the worlds collected will which over
arches the grand commonwealth Of Christian
States What that forbds forbear to do But
no text of this voluminOus code, no commenta-
ry, no gloss, can be found which forbids us to
welcome any exile of freedom.
Looking at this resolution in its various lights
as a carrying out of the act of the last Congress
rs Justly due to the exalted character of our
guest and as proper in form, and consistent
with the law of nations--t seems impossible
to avoid the conclusion in its favor On its
merits it would naturally be adopted, And
here might stop.
But an appeal has been made against the
resolution, on grounds which seem to me ex-
traneous and irrelevant 1t has been attempt
ed to involve it with the critical question of in
tervention by our country in European affairs
and recent speeches in England and New York
have been adduced to show that such interven-
ton is sought by our guest. 1t is sufficient to
say in reply to this suggestion, introduced by
the Senator from Georgia Mr. BERRIEN with
n skill which all might envy-and also by the
Senator from New Jersey Mr.. MILLER that
no such Intervention IS promised or implied by the
resolution. 1t does not appear on the face OF
| the resolution it is not in any way suggested
by the resolution, directly or indirectly. 1t car
only be found in the imagination, the anxieties
or the fears of Senators 1t is mere ghost
and not reality. AS such we may dismiss it
But feel strongly on this point, and desire Il
90 further.
While thus warmly joining in this tribute
let me be understood as in no respect encourag
ing any idea of armed Intervention in Europe
an affairs Such system would open phiai
of perplexities and ills, which trust our count,
will never he called to aifront. In the wis
dom of Washington We may find perpetua
counsel Like Washington, in his eloquen
words to the Minister of the French Directory
would offer sympathy and God-speed to all
in every land, vino struggle for human rights
but, sternly as Washington on another occa
sion, against every pressure, against all popula
appeals, against all solicitations against al
Establishments, would uphold with stead.
hand the peaceful neutrality of the country
Could | now approach our mighty guest,
would say to him. with the respectful franknes
of friend. "Be content with the outgushini