The republic., 1852-01-06
Remarks OF MIR. Grey, Of kentucky,

hcsSuth 10 The House"
Mr.. GREY said chat this debate had taken a
range and laitadc which TO him seemed strange
and inappropriate The simple question presented
10y the resolution OF the gentleman from Ohio (Mr
tARrrER) was as to the appointment of a commit
tee 20 introduce Mr. Kossuth TO the House of Repre-
sentauves, Yet person entering the hall, and
ignorant of the true question before the House,
would suppose that the proposition under discus
SION was war with Russia and direct intervention
IN the contest between Hungary and Austria. The
resolution presents no such issue. The question ia
simply.whelher we shall now repudiate carry out
the Invitation heretofore rendered TO kossuth
whether we shall extend to him the courtesies to
which we stand committed by the action of the Ex-
ccutive and by past legislation. In February last,
The Secretary OF State the officer charged with the
management Of our foreign relations. had taken
the initiative, and instructed minister in Tur-
key t. open negotiations with the Turkish govern
inent for the liberation OF kossuh. This proceed
ing ofthe National Executive had been subsequent.
ly endorsed and approved by Congress by the reso-
luton Of March last nstructing the President TO
send a national vessel TO bring kossuth 10 this
country,
The President in his message in formed Congress
that be had complied with tions and that
hossuth was soon expected TO arrive and he refer
red 10 their consideration the question of the man
ner OF the reception and treatment OF this dlstin
gulshed man, thus brought 10 this country by tile
order ofCongress Koesuth arrived, and the Pres
ident OF the United States as commander IN chief
OF the army and navy, had received him at New
York, as the nations guest, with national salute.
Congress then adopted the following Joint resolu-
ton:
''Resolred by the Senate and House Of Representa-
tees Of the United States of america Congress
se'nbied, That the Congress of the United States,
IN the name and behalf of the people Of the United
States, give To Louis kossuih cordial welcome to
the capital and TO the country; and that copy Of
this rcsolution be transmitted to him by the Presl
dent OF the United States"
Where did this demonstration in favor of Kos
suth originate? 1t was not Democratic measure,
nor Whig measure; but a measure OF the Nation
al Executive--of the Secretary OF State, who con
trolls the foreign affairs of the country, and who
FIRST suggested that we should pass joint resolu
ton welcoming Louis hossuth TO the capital and
the country.
In compliance with the invitation rendered him
by Congress in this Joint resolution, kossuth pre-
sonts himself IN this capital. Now the plain queE
ton is, will you recall or Will you fulfil the invita-
ton you have given him? Are you now doubtful
Of his worth and merits? And had you not the same
data by which 10 judge OF his worth and merits be-
fore you gave him this invitation as now! My col
league nay right Mr.. EwISG) fears that this
tends 10 Intervention in the aairs OF Europe, and
asks where are we 10 stop: answer that the ques-
tlOn OF Intervention or non-interventon is not be-
fore US Ii will be time enough to decide that cue.
Il
and he only question, ID, shall we iulhi the res
sonable expectations created by our own previous
action! Having invited kossuth to come 10 thu
capital, shall we receive him and treat him with
courtesy now that he has accepted our invitation,
And shall we, by so doing, express our sympathy
Tor the progress OF liberal institutions and repub
canism IN Europe, of which he is the representa-
tive, do not intend 10 contribute in any way TO
involve my country in war for the propagation OF
the doctrines advocated by kossulh. Yet see no
reason why VIC should not give him and his cause
the moral influence Of our countenance and sym
pathy, by receiving him with the civilty and pO-
ltcness due to our self-respect. The Law OF
nations does not forbid the exercise Of such hospi
taiy, nor the expression Of sympathies for this
distinguished man, and the cause he represents
The despotic powers of the world combine TO main
tam and uphold their doctrines; and Why should
we hcsitateto give the moralinfiuence of our sym
pathy 10 the cause OF liberal and republican lnsii
tutons, or 10 extend to their representative the c
Whites TO which we are committed? To my col
leagues, who differ irom me this question, say
that the people of Kentucky would not hesitate 10
90 50, fully, frankly, heartily, and gracefully, as
the occasion demands.
Sir, Louie Kossuth, as the great apostle Of liber
ty, as the representative Of those who advocate ito
oral principles in Europe, as a martyr 90 those
principles, and an exile from his own dear Hunga-
~, would be greeted nowhere with more cordial
aud whole souled welcome than in Kentucky. To
my colleagues " no oppose this resolution IAlessrs.
MARsHALL and EwINGl ] will suppose this case.
They unite In an invitation 10 distinguished but
unfortunate individual, citizen Of another STATE
oi his Union, or, II they please, OF foreign gov
eminent, 10 come and make bic home iu Kentucky
Iuey send their coach and four" % bring him ~
the STATE. lie arrives. They again unite IN q
JOINT note, bidding him welcome 10 tho State and
TO their houses. He conducts himself that h. De-
received in every town and city with the greatest
enthusiasm, with every token Of tho highcu ap
probation, and he 10 escorted by committees from
town 10 town till he reaches the dOurs of my tNO
colleagues. Would they then cay 20 their iamilirs
All 10 sf.f.ff
invite this man IN, nor introduce him - my housc
hold, for fear be may next ask for loan Of money
or some new favor, or lost he may not behave like
gentleman, and act IN oil respects with prOprio.
y>' j. THE Kentucky hospitality NJ sir-no.
After such invitations and anteccdcnu, a Ken
to- khan would meet the stranger ht the door; would
DO II handsomely; would take him cordially by the
hand, and CNclalm, "W CisOme, sir, thrice vel
come, u thee, halls Allow nc tbc pleasure Of In
Producing you 20 my family and iricndB,' Tho
much is doe from this House 70 the distin gUishce
patriot and exile who nov stands a. our dOOr-our
own invited Eucft The resolution VI the gentle.
man from Ohio docs THE, and commits Us 10 no.
thing more; and will vote Tor t with all my heart
But u is said that II you receive bm, as this
solution propose, he vii nc1t ask your nid and
Intervention In tho ahairs of Hungary. BE if 10
Will u be a crime in Kussuth 10 ask our aid, !
think not. He has right 90 ask, a. We have a
right 20 grant, or 20 withhold, aE We may Judge
hitting and proper. when the demand o. request %
presented. And ] ask how We will be in any worse
condition 20 refuse he request. after NC have rc.
celycd bin with tb-t hospitality sud tnosc civil.
tics which seem called for by the invitation which
has brought him here, n you invite MN " your
hDu1e, you receive him when he comes With cordial
cOurtcsyi and II he Afterwards presents an unrca.
sonabic request, or one which you DO not tbiuk
proper 10 cynccdc, you may then With better grace
q, cline.
it has been imputed as an offence o. kossuth that
De has appealed from The Government 20 the pc0.
pie. DO not 80 understand bim. In contracting
tie governments Oi Europe with that Of tbc United
Statcs-s contrast drawn from him by the excite
mcnt oi The warm reception w-th which bis land
ing Iu America vas greeted BY tho peOplc-hc hoe
sald mat here tbc people arc sovereign, ~ they
should Be, and ne he wishes to zee them n his ONn
country. ~ declaring that the people the true
s-vcrcigns, understand him as declaring his
sent 60 that principle Of our Government, which
Dc wishes 20 sec introduced into his own cOuu-
uy. Has not every member 0f ihs House, IN his
Canv vassing, uscd the samc language, and in the
stiue SPIRIT, when addressing tho people n s1,
did toey mean any offence 10 the people or 20 TIE
Government II not, Why take exception 20 The
-1tus language when spoken iy kOssuth, IOr
my part, being vcu convinced that he intend
- uO Olenoe, J viii not captOusly take offence.
II BE- alsO urged that we offered him an asylum;
tn1t ~e invited him 81 become resident anon gst
usj end tha, We ought not 10 receive him be-
cause hc cofnes, not % reside, bot as tran.
sicut vslt0r Bot II you invite pcrsOn 20 take %