The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-03
THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS-.
FIRST SESSION.
MONDAY, February 2, 1852.
SENATE.
IRST SESSION

SENATE.
MIR BERRIEN said that after TO morrow he would
be necessarily absent from the Senate Tor some te,
and, the time of his return was uncertain, he
would ask to be excused from TURNER service on
the select committee on the petition OF Mr.. Yuee,
claiming to have been elected united states seha-
tor from Florida; and he was excused.
The CHAIR said the vacancy would have to be
hlled by ballot
On motion by Mr.. WALKER, the election TO fill
the vacancy was postponed till tomorrow.
MODIFICATION THE TARIFF,
Mr. MILLER presented the memorial of numer-
Gus manufacturers, dyers, and other citizens en-
gagged in the silk trade asking repeal of that part
OF the tariffof 1916 which imposes duty OF fifteen
per cent on raw silk, and representing further,
the improper determinations made by the tariff be-
tween the manufactured article and the raw mate
rial, Referred 10 the Committee on Manufactures.
iSTKRvEsTIoS.
MIR. STOCKTON presented the joint resolutions
passed by the Legislature OF New Jersey requesting
the Senators and Representatives OF that State In
Congress to endeavor to obtain the passage OF
JOINT resolution instrucung the representatives Of
the United States IN Europe TO urge upon those
governments a declaration that the iorcible inter
vention of one nation to regulate the internal al
fairs or prescribe the form Of government OF ano-
tier nation, lie an nfracon of the law of nations.
Mr.. 5. said that no one need doubt his re
gard Tor the old Democratic principle that a
representative is bound by the will of his cons,itu
ents no one need doubt his respect for the ex
pressed opinion OF the Legislature OF New Jersey
sent his native Stae-no higher satisfaction than
to merit her approval. His ambition TO pro
mote her interests, In doing which he promoted
the interests and welfare of the whole country.
He execrated the oppressor5 of poor Hungary, and
he cordially sympathized with the Legislature and
people OF New Jersey in her sufferings He was
as DESTROYS for her independence and for the
tension Of human liberty any OF his fellow cit
gems While he agreed with every sentiment of
freedom and love OF liberty contained in the reso
lutions just presented he felt it proper say that
he did not concur in the principles OF public law
by means OF which they sought to accomplish their
object. He repeated what in his judgment were
the responsibilities Of the United States, and the
course which ought TO be pursued in regard to the
foreign relations of this Government The course
suggested by the resolutions was not the one pre-
ferred by him. They did not avow the principles
which this Government in his opinion, ought 20
assert and MAINTAIN, and which the United States
always had asserted and maintained, and which
be hoped they would continue to assert and main
tain as long as there lie despotic government
istpg whose people rise TO demand liberty.
AT this moment every part of the earth, with the
exception OF America was appropriated by abso-
lutte mouarchs. The people OF the United States
alone appreciated republican Institutions. In the
free institutions Of the United States concen-
trated all that was valuable in what man had
achieved towards qualifying himself for self gov
eminent.
The Mo.aic-Rome and her cmpire-the tran
sitory commonwealths Of Italy and Germany,
which heralded the revival Of learning, all stood
was valuable in the institutions. and governments
OF man, from the days of the great Alfred 10 the
present time, improved and amended by wisdom
and experience, in our institutions. He
considered the United States the residuary lega-
tees OF all that for four thousand years had been
comphshed In the cause of human freedom, and
he considered that, before God, are responsible
for the legacy which has been confded TO our trust
not for our own benefit alone but for that of the
whols race of man. The coJrse this Government
oughtto pursue he defined TO be-hrst, the Consti-
tuition of the United States should be guarded from
any iniraction; abide within the limits granted by
the States; dIscreety exercise the powers actually
granted by the Constitution, and abstain from the
exercise OF any others So direct the foreign affairs
OF the Government that the progress OF liberty
shall be promoted and not retarded War not
necessary TOR this Peace he had said before,
wac the true policy Of this Republic. But all the
world, except portion OF this continent, being
under the sway OF monarcbical governments, how
could the oppressed and Filtered nations break
their chains, and maintain themselves against the
armies Of despotsm, If the law of nations read-
that there shall be no Intervention in their behalf
he could not vote for any declaration that the
United States have right to interfere in behalf
Of any people struggling with despotism for their
freedom.
There were extremes on both sides which should
be carefully avoided. This Government should
not rush into the extreme and recklessy interfere
with the affairs Of foreign nations; they should
weigh well the cost, the e1pcdicucy the pTactiCa-
bility, and the consequences Of such Intervention
Washington policy pointed to this. He would be
inclined ~ obey Washin gton's advice against all
entangling alliances, when IT was proposed to
make an alliance with Crest Britain to stay the
march OF despousm.
The other extreme was the too hastily deciding
that We have no concern in the condition Of the
world beyond our own boundares, and Of re-
solving that, in no event and under no oircum-
stances shall we interfere in behalf Of the Oh
pTossed people and nations Of the world.
Such a declaration would be 10 build a wall
around thiS Republic as high as Heaven, and t.
shut out the light Of liberty from all surrounding
nations. Ii would be received with one universal
shout Of Joy by all the potentates Of Europe, and
with one wild vail OF amentation and woe by every
lover of freedom.
our own continent was in direct opposition 10 this
principle OF non intervention. Mr. S. was under
st0od 70 say that the maintenance Of that dec lara
ton Of Mr. Monroe alone bad prevented Cuba from
falling into the hands OF Great Britain. He was
not prepared to 20 70 war with Russia on account
Of Hungary. Russia our old and faithful friend
The IDEA Of Hungarian independence 10 be effected
through The fundamentally Of the United States
vns an idea utCpian and imprsctcabe. IL was an
impossible thing He declared II 10 BE- bis opinion
that this Government had the clear and indisputs
bic right to interfere when by such interference she
could rescue from the oppression Of de-pCtisIn q
people deHiring liberty. lie opposed TO any
declaration OF hon inery enton, because he thought
the good tine was coming; and that the struggle
between free principles and free governments on
the one hand, and despotism the other, would
take place before the dawn Of 1900. Ia that strug-
gle be desired the banners Of this Republic 10 bear
the inscription u freedom and free prncipc 10 all
and dfgtructiOn 20 tyrants and dcspOts
Mr.. MILLER said that copy Il the same rem
lutions bad been received by bin. lie intended 9
make 70 remarks at tins time. The subject would
come Up before the Senate IN a few days on the r..
sOiUtiou Of the Senator from Rhode leland Though
he did not recognise the doctrine Of instruction ia
any manner or form, hC would, when be should
speak on the subject, treat with becoming respcct
the sentiments expressed by the Legislature Of
New jersey.
The resolutions were then laid on the table and
ordered 10 he printed.
Mr.. HAMLlN presented the joint resolutions
passed by the legislature Of Maine in relation 10
Louis k0ssUth and the doctrine Of non intorventior
which were laid on the table and ordered to be
printed.
RrttET TOR IHr CUBAs Invaders.
Mr. DOUGLAS, from the Committee on FOreig u
Relations, 20 whom had been referred the bill from
the Hoose Tor he relief Of the American citizen
lately Imprisoned and pardoned by the Queen Of
spain reported tho same back without amend
UIcnt, and recommended lie immediate passara.
The bill vas then considered, read three ilmcs,
and passed.
Fl. ioHS's CHyRcH, wAsHiroTOs.
Mr. SHIELDS, from the Committee on tho Dis.