Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-27


And again, Mr. President it has been said that owe
this distinction Kossuth the great mpersonaton Of
the principles of free government II has not been my
fortune Mr.. President although do not claim any great
familiarity with the subject to have foundn the past his
tory of Kossuh any evidence that he occupies any such
position watched with interest the struggles between
Austria and Hungary felt sincere and anxious desire
that Hungary should succeed in securing her independ
ence. was satisfied from the examination was able
to give it, that the Emperor Of Austria had violated the
fundamental condition upon which, four centuries ago.
the independent Government OF Hungary became attached
that empire and fell under the control Of the house OF
Hapsburg But this not contest to establish re-
publican institutions they had such end in view 1t
was war for national Independence war justified
the part of Hungary, because the fundamental principle
of the compact with Hungary has been violated and be-
cause that violation obsnately persisted in. And
whether Hungary had intended to establish despotsm
of her own not should have heartily wished to
her gain the victory in that conflict 1t was contest
for national Independence, and not for repubicanism
And doubt very much whether in all the struggles
which have recently taken place. the idea ever entered
Kossuhs mind of the broadcast sowing of liberal prin
cples and the distribution of equal rights to his
trymen He wished to establish independent nation
to be under the supremacy of the Magyar race-the
Croats and Sclavonans to occupy the same position that
they had occupied while the kingdom remained linked
with Austria. That he admits 1t is mistake, there
FORE Mr. President it to me, to suppose that Kos
sut in his struggles in Europe represented at ALL much
less that he the peculiar Embodiment Of the prnc
pie of American freedom, understand It, coun-
try may be absolutely independent, and yet despotc
such is Russia country may be absolutely independ-
ent and entirely aristocratic it may be absolutely indie
pendent and democratic. The interior regulations by
which the public authority is secured tay distinct
in their character from that which makes State
regnty and independent 1t has been said that lie repre-
sents high principle am willing to admit it, He re-
presents the high principle Of .,insi and
And whether that principle De nign
not thing think is evidentit ought to be strong
to support all of us who have mounted upon its back.
Sir when this subject is gravey considered it will be
found wholly to resolve itself into this Louis Kossuth
was invited here emigrant-he came a political
emssary and the whole question is whether there any
thing in our past history present condition. or our
future prospects to induce pass resolution of this
kind in favor of welcoming avowed political emssary
to shores That is the groand 1t has been said that
his proceedings in Hungary are like those which sprung
out Of Declaration of Independence. think,
Mr. President that this is great mistake Our fathers
did not increase their demands upon the British Govern
ment They preferred claim upon that Government for
the rights rights which they had in Eng
land which their ancestors had brought with them here
They demanded nothing more, although my friend from
New Jersey (Mr STocKToN seems to suppose that Eng
lishmen have rights Sir, revolutionary fathers
claimed before the Declaration Of Independence rights
but the rights Of English subject 1t the invasion
of their brhrght that they complained Of and they
tinued to solicit the Crown and urged the British Para
ment to interfere and concede restore to them that
right until they found that hope remained that by that
method their rights could either be recovered main
tanned and them the last resort they declared them
selves independent And they scarcely waited an hour
after that declaration before they formed constitutions for
themselves in several States of this Union and what did
they embody in them? The principles Of English freedom
the habeas corpus, the trial by jury Who're did they
resort when they to frame their own declarations OF
rights to find the materials out of which they to be
formed Did they resort to that very England? Surely
they did. They struck off the external forms of the
archy They provided, by republican governments, for
the security Of their righsrights which they had
joyed as Engishmen- rights which theyhad enjoyed
but which, in consequence of the changes time had
become insecure in their connection with that country
They did not begin by making small demands, hypocrt
cay reserving larger until they acquired strength
They demanded at first all that they asked t all They
urged that it should be conceded to them az long hope
led them to expect concession and when hope all
they declared themselves independent
Therefore, conceive, there is nothinpin the history
Of this individual induce pass this resolutions but
if do pass it totally unable to perceive why gen.
temen should object to the amendment which my friend
from Georgia has proposed we welcome the one, why
welcome the whole? Is it because tie associates of
Kossuth have made political speeches that to
leave them out? Shall he be especially selected for this
honor because instead of landing upon shores they
have DONE enjoying the hospitality We proer he has
why to consider him as especially entitled
to our notice? If is it is in my judgmenta very poor
reason. Whatever do for one by way of compliment
and honors, let do for them ALL In nj judgment
the American Congress would act wisely to 10 such
thing proposed by this resolution to any ohe parties
wish not to be misunderstood about thia matter /
would be very far from offering any indigntto this dis
tnguished who has to shores-1r very far
from it. He who is the victim Of oppression he who has
fallen in contest for the maintenance Of naiOna indie
pendence and seeks shores, be he high d low, will
always receive from the most cordial greting. He
may forfeit that by his subsequent conduct he may
felt it by showing that he brings restless Spit with him.
incompatible with the security of Stes But my
first impression must always be decidedly md heartily
cordial towards him. In making these remars wish it
to be understood that mean merely explain motives
which govern in declining to vote for thresolution
and for thinking it Indispensable if it passelat ALL that
the amendment proposed by the Senator fan Georgia
should be attached to it. And whatever mayb the state
of public opinion in relation to hmhoweve; under the
excitement OF the moment may conceal rn ourselves
the real and important matters involved in t proceeding
take-I myself believe that at no di liant day. it
will be and understood by the whole Anne can people
that in its real character and tendency, and the
quences likely to result from it, it is great deal
than an empty compliment and great deal more than
we can do with just regard for interests and
those of the country.
Mr. FOOTE, of Mississippi. I wish to occupy the at
ention Of the Senate but two minutes wiSh simply to
call the attention Of the Senate, and of the Saor from
North Carolina Mr.. BADGER) especially, to What know
he is as familiar with any of us-to of BIB. amend
ments to the constitution of the United States Fhch reads
as follows:
cart l. Congress shall no law respecting IN establish
ment of religion prohibiting the free exercise hreo
abrdgng the freedom of speech of the the right
of the people pe,eably and to petitd the Gov
eminent or a redress Of grievances
NJ, suppose the right Of people peaceaby to as
sdble cannot be doubted under that clause Ne right
of freedom of speech is fully secured alse AMI there
FORE IT seems to me that any gentleman especially such
individual this invited our shores and yronoht
In one OF the Government vessels might at least allow
ed TO make public speech without being charged with
being foreign emissary and particularly might allow
ed to reply in very proper manner to addresses made
him by other persons venture shy that If tie ron
tleman from North Carolina will look little into he pub