The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-02-10
Senators gstStler i,nel sHl5eltls oln
tine O'ASriem Resolution.

IutiOns passed at Detroit, i'll relation 60
che Irish cXiles, and Mr.. Hale having
Ellowcd with some Icninrks, Senator
Butler requested permission to say
something OH the matter
Several Senators. $50 on; ''unani-
nous consent"
Mr.. Butler. Mr.. President ! wish
60 say single word in connection with
fhis subject. There are many reasons
which induce me to take even an ac-
tive part in the relief and pardon OF
thc gentlemen in whose hcl.a!fwc have
listened TO such an eloquent cu!ogv.
Permit me however, to say, that it
fhc object of gentlemen he to procure
q pardon and release Of John Mitchell
and Smith O'Bricn, believe they arc
taking tho very worst course that could
be suggested. If a proper application
were to be made to the British Queen,
by an appeal to the British Minister,
or in any other mode that would be
likely to be acceptable as an appeal to
her clemcncy, perhaps the object mi ght
be attained. But, sir, if, in applying
for the pardon of these patriots, You
use language Of reproacll to the Brit
isk Government, you might as well
expect to relieve Il victim whose hand
is in VOLTS mouth by irritating the
wolf ut the same time. If you expect
TO attain thcobjcct contcmplatcd-and
D will sincerely acquiescc in any meas
ure to effect it-tor those arc consider
ations which would induce me to feel
n particular interest in the fate of these
individuals, and especially in that OF
one of them, Mr. Mitchcll-l have
thought that something ought to be
done, but not in this way, OF making
it the subject of political discnsSion-
We may arouse the Irish, and obtain
their support; but know that we shall
not subserve the end contemplated, Of
procuring the pardon and release Of
these prisoners, but we Shall defeat the
very end we have in view.
sW liy, sir, do--yo SUPPOSE VIC can
approach the British Government and
tell them, This is our opinion and YOU
must yield to the suggestion, and ad-
minister to the feelings Of America
upon the subject of your government!
| answer for it that John Bull has re-
sentiment enough to hurI back upon
You any such attempt to influence her
policy by legislative demonstration
Of this kind. No, sir, it is t..lsitv.
permit nc to say. am willing to
vote for any resolution in favor Of
these patriots, who have been banishcd
from their country because they loved
It, and have been willing to run the
hazard OF measures of redress for
wrongs which they supposed at least
they We're suffering. Surely. sir. some
thing is to be pardoncd to the spirit OF
liberty under which they acted. My
sympathies are with them; hut to
make my ctiolts effective, shall not
ask for step Of this kind. which !
know must result in failure. In intro
ducing Il subject of this kind, we are
interfering with Il foreign government.
and involving ourselves in tic prcd;ca-
ment of making demonstration when
we cannot back it by any Legislative
net whatever. ! am not willing to see
the American Government or the
American Senate place themselves in
a situation which they cannot maintain.
IT you wish to throw ont threats, mon
aces, and rcproachcs, YOU ought not to
40 it by mere vague declaration. II
thctr institutions arc wrong, and We
intended to correct thcm-it we intend
to rescue Ireland, it will not be bv de-
.inratiooS nf th;c I.;,I ~
.tHinea. ! would to God we could take
some step to relieve ,IoIm Mitchell! and
Smith O'Bricn. will not state all
that | have done in relation to this
matter, but have been perfectly viii
ling to join with Others in an appeal TO
the British Queen for their pardon and
release, and have believed that some
thing can be done towards it. can
not conntcnancc proceedings of this
kind, because | believe they will re-
suit i'll all utter failure, and will even
do harm.
Mr. Shields. I do not mean 10 on
ter into this subject at present. will
merely say to my honorable friend
from South Carolina that | feel that
there is great force in the remarks he
has made this morning. /, of course
take this matter to heart; and feel
that we cannot accomplish the object
by any attacks upon the British GOV.
ernmcnt. My object is, with the per-
mission Of the Senate, to call I'm thc
resolution that is now upcn the table
in order that it may be made the sne-
eial order for future day, when
shall wish to say Il few words upon the
resolution myself. | will also state
tlat intend so to modify the resolu-
tion as to avoid making it diplomat.
ic.measure, in order to avoid posi-
bllity of a repulse on the part of the
English government is concerned. |
should be very sorry to have this gov
ernment make an application directly
to the British government which the
British government would be author
lied to treat with contempt. AS a
citizen of this country, should be one
OF the last men to seek to place thi, !