The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-13

conclusion repeat that It appears To me not only
called for, but undignhed, and unworthy The representa-
tiyes of the sovereign States Of this Union
There is good deal Fad about threats What kind
threat IS that when Gays 10 kossuth .You wei
Gomez have no iesa Of It's being a threat We have
gol BEYOND lhe point OF thShs: That is the pom, OF
weakness IN ahs nation under Heaven. Let US stand last
anu lake care OF great principles That IS no threat
ana l'p received as threat by any one--i II Is worth
The odiam Of the Russian CEar--let him take his
course and seek his own remedy.
Now, to come TO the old question OF precedent again
want TO cay 10 the honorable gentlemen who are
much opposed to this that they will see in the case Of
General Washington precisely case in point
will ask The senator from Georgia (Mr BERRIENl
whether this is not period IN the history OF the world
when we must sci preceden,s / has been long said,
and said with great justice too, that the existing genera
lion stands upon the shoulders OF lis predecessor It's
horizon OF vision is enlarged, and should be able with
the light thrown upon It's course by the preceding gen
Grafton, with that shed by itself 10 make great progress
There nothing stationary IN the worldneher moral
nor physical science. There is no good time in which
man can say this the best possible Of all conditions and
OF all ages Of the world and mankind has nothing
10 learn. believe in no such doctrine. | believe we
have right 10 examine for ourselves, and TO pre-
eedsnt ] do not believe. either, that the experience OF
mankind is TO be rejected. hold TO such idea have
no wish TO throw down the barriers raised by universal
jurisprudence and let in the nundation of Innovations
But. would Dc as lar IRON my thoughts as it would be
TO reject the experiences OF mankind TO say DO not do
these things because you put your foot precisely
IN the footsteps OF some other who has gone before
YOU That is my view upon the subject OF presidents.
The Senate Of the United States presents most ex
uaordaary spectacle now when its course is compared
with the conduct OF the Sultan Of Turkey 1t will GER
ian|y appear 10 The nations OF Europe that we are ex
hbitng much timdity upon the subject before u.s. halt
ing hesitaling, doubling over the expressions OF reso
luton, involving great principle involving the welfare
OF this country When these very powers demonstrated
with the Sultan Of Turkey, and demanded OF him that
these exes should be returned Austrian dungeon,
or to the knout OF Russia, or the wds Of Siberia, what
did he do He sad They have eaten my salt and here
they shall remain" Ay sir and II he hal been driven
TO take up armsif the descendant of the Ottonans had
been driven to take up arms to defend these meneVery
liberal minded man IN this country would have wished
Inn success think this is one OF the most remarkable
instances Of hfmness that has occurred within my day.
repeat tha give him credit and The credit when
see the difficulty thai enlightened freemen have in march
ing up what appears 10 TO be their duty in regard 10
this very subject when we have reason for fear
than we have to fear an inundalon from the moon.
There IS another curious circumstance connected with
this matter Here is subject that introduced TO the
attention OF Congress in the Presidents annual message
The resolution that refers TO this subject introduced
into this body announced by mover the sug
geson Of the Secretary OF Stale read by him, and
approved by him. Well, sir here we discussing the
proprety oil adopting this resolution recommended by
those who high in office in the American government
who are charged with our foreign inercourse-men who
say that the resolution is demanded by our circumstances
and will do injury. Have we any nIs.e lnorma
ton IN respect TO the position OF other nations upon this
subject! they from their positions and duties, bet
acquainted with these matters than are Let me
ask gentlemen the other side OF the chamber, whether
they disrus their patriotism, or their right to give opn
IONS upon this subject, or II after they are gwen they
carefully examined and followed out, unless there are
very strong reasons against them!
repeat that it is OF the most remarkable circum-
stances that have occurred my day. that an Executive
should have proposed solemn measure like this and
the men OF his party should then out and denounce
as terrible thing We democrats, at least, many of
u.s. are administration men far AS this proposition is
concerned. Upon this point am administration man,
heart soul, and body | have no fear of the conse-
quences And when you say 10 US you rash, point
you to the White House, and say, there the who
dictated
proposition this measure now before you, without I'M
pugnlng lhelT characters or Their discretion
Mr.. BERRiEN. The question before the Senate is
upon the first branch OF the amendment which had the
honor 10 submit Yet while that is The question: and the
only proper one for discussion, the senator from Mchi
gan Mr. CAssl has travelled over the whole ground of
the original resolution. am not disposed TO follow him
in that dscursye But he has addressed certain
of his observations especially to me- and in reference 10
those desire 10 make brief reply.
The senator from Michigan (Mr CAssl inquiries en-.
phatcaiy and OF whether wc this day, have not
a right to make "a precedent. Now, ! disposed 10
that question with perfect simplicity and with
distinct affirmation OF the proposition itself Unqueson
ably we have the night, IN the administration of the az
fairs OF this government, do any act which, in our
judgment, heclrcums,ances which surround US may
quue and II these circumstances have not previously
existed by The performance OF that act establish pre-
ceden But how, beg leave 10 ask OF the honorable
or, did This doctrine OF pecedents 10 be brought
into our discussions Was IT introduced by the oppo
nents of the resolution, by the advocates OF amend
ment? No, sr-no, sir. The original mover OF one OF
these resolutions sought to rest upon the foundation OF
precedent and what we have said upon the subject Of
precedent has been merely to show that that foundation
upon which they pressed to erect their supersrucue as
an insufhcient and unayang III the circumstances
OF this case justify the act you about perform no
man denies you the right do it, We have not objected
that u wants precedent, II circumstances Justify il. But
when you have sought TO rest this proposition upon the
basis OF precedent have said 10 you that The clrcum
stances do not justify this achat you counterfeit
ing the established policy OF your country; and the
amendment is presented with view enable
TO place themselves distinctly before the country in air-
nation Or denial OF the established policy OF this govern
ment
The honorable gentleman talks OF timdity-of an ap-
prebenson OF exciting the Indignation OF the powers that
to be prevented from interfering the immediate al
fairs OF HungaIy-of the fear which gentleman seem to
entertain and the alarm that sares them the prospect
of war Now, sir. am emphatically OF peace
But beg leave to say 10 the honorable gentleman that
have no, been influenced By any considerations OF nid
y that the question whether this shall excite the in
dgnation OF foreign powers does not act IN the slightest
degree upon and that regards the apprehension OF
war itself, whenever my country shall be placed in the
situation when her honor and circumstances require that
she shall take that last resort, shall meet 1t with
little apprehension OF its consequences the honorable
senator from Michigan, Mr. CAss, or any other ind
viduAl who may avow indifference such resort
No, air. the motive by which have been actuaed
is not midity-not consideration OF the influence this
may have upon the minds OF those whom IL is proposed
that we should resran-nOt fear OF the consequences
OF any just and righuul war in which may be in
voiyed--bui regard TO the essential interests OF my
own country and solemn conviction that this does
moi present the circumstances which authorize YOU 10
put at hazard the vital interests of this nation That is
tne ground upon which have ventured my proposition
mat = the ground upon which resist the original reso
luton.
The question which Is Immediately before the Senate