Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-12-12

Mr.. President-Words are sometimes things,
and cannot disguise from myself that the resolu-
ton IN honor of Louis Kossuth, now pending be-
Tore the Senate, when finally passed, will be an
act OF no mean significance in the history of our
country. The Senator from Georgia was right
| when he SAID 1t was no unmeanlng compliment.
Beyond lis immediate courtesy 10 an iliustrlous
stranger, it will help to combine and direct The
sentiments of our people everywhere. 1t will in
! spire all IN other lands who are engaged in the
contest for freedom, in will challenge the disturb
ed attention OF despots,it will become precedent
In the thick coming events of the future, whose
Importance will grow with the growing might of
the Republic. In this view it becomes us to con-
slider well what we do; and to understand the
ground oil our conduct. In myself am prepared
10 vote Tor this resolution without amendment or
condition of any kind, and on reasons which
seem 10 me very obvious and conclusive In
assigning these l will be brief, and let me saw
that, novice as | am in this scene, and in all lev
lslailve halls, nothing but my strong interest in
the question could prompt me thus early TO mingle
In these debates.
The case seems to require statement instead
OF an argument. As understand the matter, the
last Congress requested the President to author
ize the employment Of one of the public vessels
to receive and convey Louis Kossuth to the Uni
ted States. That honorable service was perform
ed under the express direction of the President
and IN pursuance ofthe vote ofCongress by one
of the best appointed ships in our navy, the steam
frigate Mississippi. Far away from our country
In foreign waters, in the currents of the Bos-
phorus, the Hungarian Chief, passing from MS
Turkish Exile, first pressed the deck of this gal
liant vessel first came under the protection Of our
National Flag, aud for the first time in his life
rested beneath the ensign of an unquesiionaed
Republic, which thus far, seen only in delight
ful dream or vision, was now bis host, and though
this relation was interrupted for few weeks
by his wise and brilliant visit to England, vet its
duties and Its pleasures ale, as confidently sub
| nit, not yet ended.
The liberated exile is now at our gates. Sir.
we cannot do things by halves The hearts of
the people are already open to receive him. Con-
| gress cannot turn lis back upon hin. But | Join
In this welcome not merely because it is essen
tlal to complete and crown the work of the last
Congress, but because guest deserves 1t at our
hands. The distinction is great know, but it is
! not so great as he deserves. He deserves it as
the early, constant incompatible champion of the
liberal cause In Hungary who, while yet young
man, with unconscious power, girded himself for
| the contest, and by series of mastery labors
with voice and pen in Parliamentary debates and
In the discussion Of the press, breathed into his
country the breath of life He deserves it for the
great principles of true Democracy which he
caused to be recognized as the representative Of
the people.
He deserves it by the trials he has undergone
In prison and in exile. He deserves il by the
precious Truth which he now so eIoquently pro-
claims OF the fraternity Of nations. AS | regard
his courage, am filled with reverence and awe.
see in him more than in any other living man,
The power that may be exerted by single earn
est, honest soul, in a noble cause. In himself he
| Is more than whole cabinet, more than whole
| army. watch him in Hungary, while, like Car
| not in France, he organizes victory. | follow
him in exile to distant Asiatic Turkey, and there
find him, though with only scanty band of at
| PENDANTS, in weakness and confinement, still the
dread Of despots. sympathize with him in his
happy release, and now he has come more with
! In the sphere OF our immediate observation,
amazement fills up all in the contemplation of his
career, while he proceeds from land to land from
city to city, and with words of matchess elo-
quence seems at times the fiery sword offreedom,
and then the trumpet ofresurecton 10 the nations,
tuba nsiruBa spargens sonum.
l know not how others have been impressed
| but | call to mind no incident, or no event of
| peace or war, certainly none of war, more strong
! y calculated, or better adapted to touch and ex-
| alt the Imagination and the heart, than his recent
visit TO England. He landed on the southern
coast, not far from where William of Normandy,
nearly eight centuries ago, had landed; not far
from where, nineteen centuries ago. julius Caesar
landed also; but William on the field of Hastings
and Cesar, on his adventurous expedition, made
no conquest comparable in grandeur to that achiey-
ed by the unarmed and unattended Hungarian
A multtudlnous people, out-numbering the ar
mics of those earlier times, were subdued by his
wisdom and eloquence, and this exile, proceeding
from place to place, traversing the country at last
IN the very heart of the kingdom, threw down the
gauntlet OF the Republic, without equisocation
amidst the supporters of monarchy.
In the shadow of the lofty throne he proclaim
ed the Republic as his cherished aspiration for
Hungary. And yet, amidst the excitement of this
unparalleled scene, with discretion which pray
may ever attend him as a good angel, (the an :
cieiit poet tells US that no divinity is absent where
prudence Is presently he forbore all suggestions of
Interference with the existing institutions of the
land whose guest he was, recognising that vital
principle of sell-government ty virtue of which
every State chooses for itself the institutions and
rulers which it prefers. Such a character, thus
grandly historic, living Wallace, living Tell, /
had almost said living Washington, deserves our
homage. Now am | tempted to ask if there be
any precedent for the resolution now under con-
slderation. There is time for all things, and
the time has come for to make precedent in
respect to her Unprecedented career. The occa-
sion is felt; the hero is near; let us speak out well
come. 1t is true, that, unlike Lafayette, he has
never served our country, but can admit, he
pered life and all, and like Lafayette, he has
done penance in an Austrian dungeon; like La
fayette, he has served the cause of Freedom, and
whatsoever serves this cause, wheresoever he NAV
be, in whatever land is entitled, according 10 his
works, to the gratitude Of every true American
born, Of every true lover Of mankind. The reso-
luton before us, commends itsellby its simplicity
and completeness In this respect, it seems to
me preferable TO that Of the Senator from Illinois,
nor Is il nhnnYion Ia nhncfinnr nrarnd nnnnnt L.