Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1852-01-02
SPEECH OF VAR. SUMNER.
ON Their ECEPTIoN oFKos SUIT

Mr. SUMNER Of Mass, addressed the Senate
on Mr. Stewards Kossuth resolution: he said
"Mr president, words are sometimes things
and | cannot disguise from myself that the reso.
! luton in honor of Louis kossuth, now pending
before the Senate, when finally passed. will be
an act of no mean significance in the history of
our country. The Senator of Georgia was RIGHT
when be said it was no unmeaning compliment
! Beyond its immediate courtesy TO an illustrous
stranger, il will help to combine and direct the
sentiments of our people everywhere. 1t will
inspire all in other lands who are engaged in the
contest for freedom, it will challenge the dis
turbed attention of despots, il will become pre-
cedent in the thick coming events of the future,
whose importance will grow with the growing
might ofthe Republic. In this view, it becomes
us TO consider well what we do; and to under
stand the ground of our conduct. In myself |
am prepared TO vote for this resolution without
amendment or condition OF any kind, and on rea-
sons which seem to me very obvious and conclu-
slve. In assigning these | will be brief and let
me say that, novice as am in this scene, and in
all Legislative halls, nothing but my strong inter-
est in the question could prompt me thus early
to mingle in these debates.
The case seems 10 require a statement rather
than an argument. AS understand the matter,
thorise the employment of one of the public yes
sells, to receive and convey Louis Kossuth to the
United States. That honorable service was per-
formed under the express direction of the Pres
ident and in pursuance Of the vote of Congress
by one of the best appointed ships in our navy,
the steam frigate Mississippi. Far away from
our country, in foreign waters in the currents
Of the Bosphorus the Hungarian Chief passing
from his Turkish Exile first pressed the deck Of
Of this gallant vessel; first came under the pro-
lection of our National Flag, and tor the first
time in his life rested beneath the ensign of an
unquestioned Republic, which thus far seen only
in delightful dream or vision, was now his host,
and though this relation was interrupted for
few weeks by his wise and brilliant visit to Eng
land, yet its duties and its pleasures, are as
confidently submit, not yet ended
The liberated exile is now at our gates Sir,
we cannot do things by halves. The hearts of
the people are already open to receive him.
Congress cannot tnrn its back upon him. But
Join in this welcome not merely because it is es-
sential to complete and crown the work of
the last Congress, but because our guest de-
serves it at our hands. The distinction is great
| now, but Is not so great as he deserves. He
deserves it as the early, constant, and incorrup-
tible champion Of the liberal cause in Hungary,
who, while yet young man, with Unconscious
power, girded himself for the contest, and by q
series of mastery iabors with voice and pen in
parliamentary debates and in the discussion of
the press breathed into his country the breath
Of life. lie derserves it for the great principles
of true Democracy which he caused to be re-
cognised, as n representative Of the people.
He deserves it by the trials he has undergone
in prison and in exile. He deserves it by the
precious truth which he now so eloquonty pro-
claims Of the fraternity OF nations. As Ire
gard his courage, am filled with reverence and
awe. | see in him more than in any other liv-
ing man the power that may be exorted by sin
gle earnest, honest soul, in noble cause In
himself he is more than a whole cabinet, more
than whole army. watched him in Hungary
while, like Carnot in France, he organizes victo-
ry. | follow him in exile to distant Asatc Tur-
key, and there find him, tho with only a scanty
band of attendance in weakness and confinement,
still the dread of despots. sympatize with him
in his happy release and now he has come more
within the sphere of our immediate observation,
amazement fills all in the contemplation of his
career, while he proceeds from land to land, from
city to city, anu with words of matchless elo-
buence, seems at times the fiery sword of free
dom, and then the trumpet OF resurrection to the
nations, 1u6a mirNm SP0rgenS SGnun.
| know not how others have beenmpresscd but
can call TO mind no incident or no event Of
peace or war, certainly none Oliver, more strong
~ calculated, or better adapted to touch and ex-
alt the Imagination and the hearts than his recent
visit to England. He landed on the southern
coast, not far from where William of Norman
dy, nearly eight centuries ago had landed, not far
from where nineteen centuries ago julius Caesar
landed, also, but William on the field of Hastings
and Caesar on his adventurous expedition, made
no conquest comparable in grandeur to that a.
chieyed by the unarmcd and unattended Hunga-
rian. A muiitudinous people outnumbcrl 20
the armies of those earlier times and subdued by
his wisdom and eloquence, and this exile pro-
ceedng from place to place, traversng the coun-
try at least in the very heart of the kingdom,
threw Down the gauntlet of the Republic with
cut oquiyOcQtion amidst the supporters OF mon
archy.
In the shadow Of the lofty throne he proclaim
ed the Republic a. his cherished aspiration for
Hungary. And yet amidst the excitement of
this unparalleled scene, with discrestion which
pray may ever attend him good angel (the
ancient poet tells US that no divinity is absent
where prudence is present. he forbore oil suG
gestion of interference with the existing institu-
tons Of the land whose guest he Was,--reCog-
nising that vital principle o! self government by
virtue of which every Safe chooses for itself the
institutions and rulers which it prefers. Such q
character, thus grendly historic, living Wal
lace, living Tell, | had almost said living
Washington deserves our homage. Now am
tempted to ask if there be any precedent for the
resolution under consideration There is time
for all things, and the time has come for us TO
make precedent in respect to her unprecedent-
ed career. The occasion is felt, the hero IS near,
let us speak out welcome. 1t is truo that un-
like Lafayette he has never directly served our
country, butt can admit he peri!!ed life and all,
and like Lafayette he has done penance in an
Austrian dungeon-hke Lafayette he has served
the cause of Freedom, and whatsoever serves this
cause, wheresoever he may be, in whatever land
is entitled according to his works to the gratitude
Of every true American born, OF every true lev
er of mankind. The resolution before Us COM
mends itself by its simplicity and completeness.
In this respectit seems to me preferable 10 that
of the Senator from Illinois, nor IS 1t obnoxious
to objections urged against that Of the Senator
from Mississippi Nor do see that it can give
any Just umbrage in our diplomatic relation even
to the sensitive representative Of Austria, tho
we have the high authority Of the President in
his message for styling our guest " Governor =
a word which seems to imply the de t4cio indie
pendence Of Hungary at the very time when our
/ Government declined to acknowledge it. This
resolution avoids this difficulty, and speaks Of
him without title Of any kind, simply as a pri-
yaje citizen. As such il offers him welcome