The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-04


voked by our fatal example, may turn upon u. in
tho hour of weakness and exhaustion, and, with
almost equally irresistible force ofreason and Of
arms. they may say 10 us, you have set us the
example. you have quit your own to stand on for
eign ground, you have abandoned the policy you
professed in the day Of your weakness to interfere
in the affairs Of the people upon this continent in
behalf OF those principles the supremacy Of which
you say Ia necessary to your prosperity, to your
existence We, in our turn, believing that your
anarchical doctrines are destructive OF, and that
monarchical principles essential to- the peace,
security, and happiness Of subjects will oblite
rate the bed which has nourished such noxious
wecds; we will crush you, the propaga udists Of
doctrines 30 destructive of the peace and good or
der of the world The indomitable spirit Of our
people might and would be equal to the emer
gency, and we might remain unsubdued even by
50 tremendous a combination, but the consequences
to us would be terrible enough. You must allow
me, sir, to speak thus freely feel deeply, though
my opinion may be of but little import, the
precision of dying man.
''Sir, the recent melancholy subversion Of the
publican government of France, and that enlight-
ened nation voluntarily placing its neck under the
yoke Of despotism, teach to despair of any pres
ent success for liberal institutions in Europe; it
gives us an impressive warning not to rely upon
others for the vindication of our principles, but
to look to ourselves, and to cherish with more
care than ever the security of institutions and
the preservation of policy and principles.
BY the policy to which We have adhered since
the days Of Washington, we have prospered be-
yond precedent; we have done more for the cause
OF liberty in the world than arms could effect;
have shown to other nations the way to greatness
and happiness. And if we but continue united
A.
our experience has dearly and triumphantly
| vindicated, we may in another quarter of CEN
fury furnish an example which the reason of the
world cannot resist. But if we should involve our
selves in the tangled web OF European politics, in
a war in which we could effect nothing; and if in
that struggle Hungary should 60 down, and
should go down with her, where then would be the
last hope Of the friends of freedom throughout the
world! Far better is it for ourselves for Hungary,
and for the cause OF liberty that, adhering to
vice pacific system, and avoiding the distant wars
OF Europe, we should keep lamp burning
brightly on this western shore, as a light to all
| nations, than to hazard its utter extinction amid
the ruins Of fallen falling republics in Europe"
Throughout Mr.. CLAY's remarks M. KossuTH
listened with the utmost interest and attention;
and, indeed, throug bout the whole interview he il
Illustrated the combination Of the profoundest
| respect without the smallest sacrifice Of his per-
sonal dignity, exhibiting in all his bearing the
most finished and attractive stamp which can be
given to the true metal of genius He did not en-
ter, in his turn, upon a controversy Of Mr.. CLAWS
views. but began by stating what he thought the
reasons of the repeated failures to establish liberal
institutions In France. Education and political
information. he said, did not descend very deep
into the masses Of the French people; illus
traton of which fact he stated that hundreds of
thousands, when voting for the first time to ele-
vate Louis Napoleon to the Presidency, thought
the old emperor still alive and imprisoned
and that the vote they then gave would effect
bis dciverance. He gradually diverted his
marks to the affairs of Hungary, Austria, Russia,
and Turkey speaking of the exaggerated esti-
mate Of the strength Of Russia OF the strength and
weakness of Turkey-her strength, which consist
ed in her immense land force and especially in
her militia, or iond,oehr, as he termed it; her
weakness, which the liability of the assault of
Constantinople by And here, apparently in
allusion to Mr. CLAWS conviction of our being un-
able to effect any thing in European war, he
spoke of the material aid which might be rendered
Turkey in war with Russia by anaval force for
the protection of her capital. After series Of en-
tertaining and instructive remarks about the con-
dition and prospects of Europe generally, he rose
70 dSpav.
Mr.. CLAY rose and babe him farewell forever
with the utmost cordially and the kindliest sym
pathy beaming in his face and suffusing his eye;
and grasping kossurH's hand, he said, "God blcss
you and your family God bless your country
may she yet be free1'
KossvrH, apparently overwhelmed by the warm
and earnest sympathy thus exhibited for himself
his suffering family and country, profoundly bow
ing, pressed Mr.. CLAy's hand to his heart, and re-
piled, in tones OF deep emotion 81 thank you, hon
orcd sirl shall pray for you every day that your
health may be restored, and that God may prolong
your life" Mr.. CLAWS eyes filled with tears; he
again pressed the hand which clasped his own pro.
badly for the last time, but he could say
Thus closed one Of the most interesting scenes it
has ever been the fortune Of the writer TO witness
Two such men rarely meet in this world. The
one. having finished the course Of his destiny hav
ing lived and acted through the better part Of his
country's lifetime, and with lie growing greatness
and renown having achieved his own; The Gun Of
his glorious career just going down In unclouded
brilliancy, and sending back tho rays Of lie de-
olining glory upon happy land; the other. still
acting, still hoping and fearing, his Just risng
amid storms and clouds and darkness; before him,
all the vicissitudes OF uncertain future for him.
self and for bis country; the one, like prophet Of
DID, proclaiming the principles Of the fathers Of his
country, TO whom he was shortly to be gathered
those principles, living by which that country
had achieved her greatness; the other, like scho-
lar, listening TO catch the words Of wisdom, and
hear the lessons Of experience, which should be
treasured up, and which might yet one day profit
his country in her puplage; to portray that scene
Alright would challenge the skill Of the poet and
the painter The writer would rival, too, the art Of
Handel and Haydn, could he transmit TO this
nan he choty II a..
of the Hungarian exile, sounding like the low, me
lancboly vail Of the stricken children Of freedom;
or the trumpet toned voice Of the old slatosrnan
gathering some Of its ancient strength. and ring
ing almost full and sonorous as when in days Of
old its clarion peal rounded its note Of cheer and
courage TO nation in its triumphal march to glory
and TO greatness
Supreme Court OF the United states.