Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-12-20
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
RECEPTION OF KossUTH. -(Cosr1surD.
TUESDAY, DEcEMBER 8, 1851

The Debate on this SUBJECT which We puDil6ned on q
former day took place resolution offered by Mr.
Foors which he afterwards withdrew of the
opposition to it, when Mr.. SEWARD offered another pro-
position having in view the object This having
been taken up for consideration to-day as in Committee
Of the Whole
Mr. SEWARD. l have said that should postpone
discussion Of this question upon its merits at the present
time. shall advert in the first place, simply to the cir
cunstances under which it comes before Congress.
If the distinguished parsonage whom it is the design of
this resolution to honor had hoated upon our shores
bdden and unheradeu, there wouid ins'e been
epaarra ssment suffering his arrival pass unnoticed
by CONGRESS- But the case is widely different The Con-
ress OF the United States found him prisoner in Asia
Minoran exile from his native land in an effort for the
redemption Of which he had fallen They caused the Pre-
sden of the United States express to him the sympa
thy of Congress with him in his exile and misortunes and
they rendered him an invitation to come to America as
IN asylum in Of the vessels OF the public navy The
President Of the United States executed these instructions
and in pursuance Of that, it is known to all the world
that Kossuth was liberated from his captivity and
upon our shores The President of the United States IN
anticipation Of his arrival informed Congress- their
sembng at the present session. that executed their
iastrctions and that the arrival of this ustrous man
was hourly expected and he recommended Congress to
take consideration the proper manner and ceremonial
Of receiving him who had been brought here under their
authority This Of itself sufficient to engage the at
tenticn Of the civilized world for the action OF Congress in
relation to the parsonage whose name and fame at this
time fills the eve and Of the world But the action OF
the Government has not stopped here In pursuance Of its
and at the instance of the President and
the the subject has been opened in this
chamber debate has been opened upon the question
submitted by the President Under such circumstances
absolute silence would amount to nothing short OF neglect
and neglect would be liable to be construed in my poor
judgment, into ndgnity II under these
that this question comes before Congress- and am
that heintention of the Senate that their treat
rnent of Louis Kossuth should be capable Of being
strued into indignity such should be the result the
consequence would be the inhicting wound upon the
generous and noble heart Of friend to liberty whose
t;tuae we had gained and stimulated and in whose bosom
we had enkinded the expectation of warm and gener
ous and cordial welcome Such would be the effect upon
him The effect upon his country would be to subdue the
feeling of affection and gratitude which the expression Of
sympathy in their misfortunes thus far has awakened
The effect Of it would be to disappont the hopes and ex
pectations Of the friends Of freedom throughout the world
and finally it would have the effect to encourage the adj
vocates oppression throughout Europe in their efforts to
prevent the transition of the nations Of Europe from under
systems of force voluntary systems OF such
as we have established and commended to their adoption
Under such circumstances, was not at liberty to consent
to be understood being willing to allow the arrival Of
Kossuth the United States to pass unn0tced and m
order that might put myself right and give opportu-
nifty others who might agree with me in opinion to put
themselves right have endeavored to submit sopoei-
to which would avoid the consequences which have
enyore to indicate and to bring this question before
Congress in form which seemed TO me all might agree
to adopt.
Now sir, will say word upon the form Of the recep
ton which proposed by this joint resolution 1t is not
in such form myself would have originally wished
have particular tenacty with regard it. The pro-
position submitted by the honorable Senator from isss
sppi (Ir FooTE) would have received my vote 1t would
have received if had been amended SO as to more
as was proposed by the Senator from New Hampshire
(Mr HALE] 1t would have received my vote if it had
said less 1t would have received it under any circun-
stances if it had been pressed and should have endea
vored cooperate with the honorable mover OF 1t In
avoiding any amendments which might It's pas
sage But that has passed by and upon looking round
upon what might be substituted for it. it has seemed to
me that if there is sentiment more plainly and un-
questionaby expressed by the American people than any
other in regard the Hungarian revolution, and in re-
gard to the hero and champion of Hungary is that OF
WBLcoME TO THE SHORES THE UNITED STATES. Taking
that idea my guide, have merely submitted joint
resolution in which Congress declare that they give to
Louis Kossuth whom they have invited hither cordat
.p,icons Less than this Mr. President no pro-
pose who thinks it proper that we should IN our action
here take any notice whatever Of his arrival and more
tran this may well be content to waive, knowing that
something like this nothing, must pass, and that this
is better than nothing.
would have the passage of this resolution communi-
Kossuth the President the executive organ OF
the republic Although my own feelings desire further
expression consent waive it, under the consideration
that the simplicity of the act will give it peculiar power
know not in the history Of this nation more sublime
spectaclc-I know not in the history of modern times
more sublime spectacle-than would be afforded by hear
ing the American Congress- in the name and behalf OF the
American people, give to the representative Of the cause
of popular government in Europe cordial welcome on
his escape from the perls of his position and his arrival
in this land where that system Of is esta-
bshed and in full and successful operation There is
simplicity about it which is worthy the dignity of the
American Government and the American People. There
is simplicity in it worthy the character OF the ustrous
citizen whom it proposes to honor As have said have
no tenacy in regard to this in preference
other which would make to accepting any other
It to be preferable to that of the honorable
Senator from Illinois, (Mr. SHIELDs upon the ground
that having been adopted here will undoubtedly be
adopted in the House Of Representatives and will thus be
national act; and confess am desirous as the Con-
gress Of the United States did bring Kossuth to
be brought here under their authority that his reception
should be national act and that the two houses Of Con
gress should not be divided but should act together in
this great proceeding This form also seems to commend
se to adoption by the Senate because it stops short OF
committing Congress to any action beyond the woids be-
You'd the simple national action of giving Kossuh cor
awecome What desire is not the utterance Of words
what want to have Congress do is to aco extend the
welcome to Kossuh which the world expects him to
receive.
briefly 1t hns been said intimated that not
well aware of the merits of Kossuthnot well acquainted
with the character of Kossuththat do not know
tainy hathc is entitled to this attention from the Ame
rican people.
Mr. President in the course of human events we sec
the nations Of Europe struggling to throw off the despotc
systemB Of government and attempting to establish
Government based upon the principles of rcpubcsnism
of constitutional monarchy. Whenever such efforts
made it invariably happens that the existing dcspotsms
of Europe endeavor suppress the high and holy endea
vor and to subdue the people by whom it made The
consequence is that despotsm has one common cause
and il results that the Of civil and constitutional
liberty has in all countries become common cause
the common cause of mankind against despotism Now,
whatever nation leads the way at any meat my cri-
ssin this contest for civil liberty it becomes per-
Az. ~ amt