The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-14
RECEPTION or KossurIi.

e ol tue JOINT resolution OF welcome 10
Kossuth.
Mr.. MALLORY. Mr. President | design 10 vote on
this resolution and ask the indulgence OF the Senate
while state the reasons which govern the vote that
snail give AS becomes member OF this body,
have listened carefully 10 the remarks Of honorable sen
atois opposed 10 the resolution with mind unbiased
ana anxious only 10 ascerala the course which wisdom
and The dictates Of sound policy prescribe This
luton opposed by honorable senators whose negative
apart from any Argument, carries with 1t moral infu
ence which This country well understands, and which
no senator better appreciates than myself and in differing
IRON them this occasion, ii is my misfortune to do
is no less respectful 70 them than due 10 myself that
vote.
The objects OF both resolutions as understand them
The resolution OF The honorable senator from Illinois
Mr. SHIELDS and that OF the senator from New York,
MIR. SEwARDl-are identical and the motives which ns
uence the suppor, Of one are equally applicable TO The
other, and am free to say that am prepared 10 vote for
either. The object OF the resolution is TO extend to Kos
suth an honor which, however It may be regarded by
other senators, contemplate as the highest distinction
Of The agea distinction, sir infinitely above all the gor
geous rumpha spectacIes which Rome conceded 10
her conquerors IN the pamiest days OF the Republics
distinction emanaiing from council OF sovereigns-a
distinction which derives Both grace and gravity from its
association with the of Lafayette. / would ask.
is the man whom is proposed thus TO greet worthy of
this and remarkable honor will not this inaus
pcious moment stay TO question all that his most ardent
admirers concede TO him will not here question his
former views, plans, policy with reference to his
uy's wrongs will not now by hypercrtca invcs
CATION, seek for Withholding from his present
posoniom his present heaven. born hope for freedom
to Huugasytat sympathy, that respect which his former
course, personal or POLITICAL whatever il may have been,
might possibly have precuded.
la voting Tor this resolution, do not regard Louis
kossuh as man whose every word and deed ate TO be
subieced-as they have been here TO ex.ent-to
inquisiloria eXaminaton--an examination from which
trail humanity, whatever form ii take can emerge
unscathed. But in yielding him this respect, regard
hm AS the impersonaion, the Embodiment of the prnc
PIES OF civil and religious liberty among the millions OF
Europe. | regard hun as man followed 10 shores
oy the eyes OF the petty yraus OF every quarter OF Eu
rope, and as the man who has concentrated upon himself
the gaze OF the struggling millions OF the earth, who
regarding HIM al this moment the oIorn hope OF free.
dom BY both parties-by the oppte and the op.
pessedhls advent here, the first breath he drew upon
our soil, mus be regarded as raught with probabilities
the most momenous; and every patriot oil Europe, from
the Rhine 10 the distant mountains OF TIansy vania who
has traced in our history the mighty results of the first
steps OF the pilgrims upon this continent doubtless puts
up his prayer to Heaven that the footsteps of Kos osu,h
may also lead 10 country, TO freedom, and to home.
Now, sir, am prepared 10 honor this man. ! am pre-
pared 10 sympatblZe with hum because he the centre
OF the despotsm OF ages, and surrounded by the mighty
moral and physical influences OF time honoTed monarch
ies had the sagacy to direct his attention 10 our form OF
government, and ihe courage to lead his people by
example. Principles, sir, mighty in the change
OF empires than all the armed intervention thai
iurled flag. kossuh struggled for principle which
veneraie-,hc principle OF self elfgovetnment. as un
defsiand it-and, struggling, failed But his vcryialure
in such cause entities him as fully 10 oGr sympathy
and respect as any degree OF success could possibly have
done.
feel called upon say that in supporting this resou
ton. governed by the question whether kossuth
be be not the guest OF tue nation, or whether he was
or invited 10 country by the action OF Con-
lpess But though the solution OF this question, about
which honorable senators so widely differ Is regarded by
me unimPortan, | am free 10 confess that can per-
ceve, neither the Joint resolution oil Congress Lot
any act of any department of our government, nothing
which confes upon him this character justihes his
friends in placing him in this altitude. No fair construc-
ton OF language, in my Judgment, possibly regard the
Joint resolution OF Congress invitation to coun
try. The utmost that was ever contemplated BY this
HprI and mir
arms-prisoners IN Turkey-a means OF reaching the
United States, if they should desire to etngaie here
No, sir my sympathy is yielded regardless OF any such
believe that there is disposition the part OF
aors who have spoken against this resolution TO with
hold from Kossuth their respect and sympathy On the
contrary, every senator whom have heard express
opinion TO regard him as the Man OF the Age
will not stop TO inquire whether adulaon OF this charac
ter be merl,ed or we-iounded But while yielding him
this personal tribute the feeling with those who oppose
this resolution seems TO be- that, il it shall pass, will be
species OF intervention, or, at least that may lead 10
iTnerven'cg and sntansllng alliances ~ the aal,s oi
orable senators, must nevertheless, respect The motive
which dictates their opposition and am free TO confess,
that II could regard IL IN this gh,if could look al
it intervention in the affairs of Europe or as leading
TO such intervention however slight 1t might belt would
never receive my vote.
But il is impossible 10 regard this simple resolution
intervention | have listened to senators who have
spoken upon the other side OF the question: 10 discover
some argument the subject TO show that the express
oil sympathy ~ iOtefNentOn bul nave 10
discover any Had been convinced that il was inter
vention the resolution should certainly not receive my
support cannot regard i, as even discouresy, or as
calculated Justly offend any power oil Europe. Stl
have no doubt but offence will be taken IN certain quar-
ters if the resolution shall pass. II will be borne upon
the wings of thousand winds and every petty yrant,
from the Rhine 10 the Voga will be made TO understand
that the sympahes and prayers OF the American people
on this broad continent are with the masses; and The
masses themselves will feel their hearts swelling with
new hopes their strengthened with new ygor and
is for this very that an prepared to support IT,
II we may Justly welcome kossuth to our sol-If we
could place national Whip al his disposal TO bring him
bee--if express our sympaihles IN his past sui
feripgs and our ardent hope for his brilliant ulufe-lf
we can do this on SOIL IN our own family circle
OF States and under the broad shadow oil our ag, what
care we for any msnepretaton that may be rut upon
our conduct, if the conduct be correct niise II our
honor we have in charge and not the opinions oil des-
pots in any part Of Europe Every act that we may 90
upen the subject of freedom, any part oil Inc gobe,
must be offensive 10 desposm. Oar forms OF govern
ment are antagonsc and the progress OF one leads 70 the
destruction Of the other Our very birth was an offence
10 desposm II grew out OF IT, and every step which we
have taken in our political existence has been but an
ang o it. Every town, hamlet, and village IN
our country every spot OF earth consectated by our nag
every star added 10 Unon IS not only an offence bu'
al, attack direct attack upon despotism and our glo-
rors country ITSELF towering AS II does above the na.
mankind is monument, and verify bebevea monument
designed by the Almighty which tells as plainly as the
writing upon the WALL that the days oi despotsm are
numbered Yes. sir, believe our country.s monu
ncnt permitted by Heaven to ioreell the destruction OF
despo,isn and that it has become mere question oil
time.
But cannot believe for single moment that the hon.
oyabe senators who oppose this resolution actnaied
bv any ration as 10 what the despos Of Europe,
or any power of earth. may think OF their conduct no
| .~ul.-x II ~. B<sl