The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-01-03
, afks Of Hon. s. A. Douglas,


reason that il could not plss this body uaa,
isaoaay, Unless a wecome-sueh as is propose
TO be given-shouid pass with entire unaim
~. the discussion which takes place upon tn
question eerrives it of all its intended effect
! would not have brought forward a resolution
OF this kind for this reason that | have vet t,
earn that the man now lives. or ever did live
who can make proposition in this body tia
world not give rise to discussion Well, sir i
has been objected TO the passage Of this resolution
that 1t wonll give offence TO the different powers
OF Europe. | have heard this object ion raised
upon so many points Of legislation. and upon e
many subjects that have come up for OR action
here, that have become heartily trcl of it,
do not look to see whether such question will
give offence or not to the crowned heads Of the
earth, provided i, does not violate the laws of ma
tions or give just cause of offence. The question
is not whether it will give offence or not-for |
know TINT the dcspotic governments Of Europe
will no, be pleased with any movement here
which gives encouragement TO the movement in
Europe favorable to liberal institutions. But the
question is not Whether they will be pleased or
displeascd, but whether this gives just cause of
offence according to the laws Of nations. Sir, I
know no principle Of the laws Of nations that de-
prives government Of the right of manifesting
their cordial .,npathv with all movements ten
ding to the establishment Of free principles
throughout the world | hold that it is our duty
TO manifest that we feel that sympathy by every
act which u proper to the occasion and to the sub
jcct, We owe it to our own history, to the vim
dication of the history of our country, that We
should manifest that it does ftelfo every people
who are struggling for the establishment Of free
institutions Bat, sir, while we owe thus much.
] wonid not desire to take single step that
would violate the well established principles of
the laws of nations, or give any just cause of Of
fence toany power upon earth Nor do | hold
that the cordial wclc1m to Gov. Ko'tuth can be
properly thus Construed. As has been Maid by
the distinguished senator from Michigan Mr..
Cassl to day, il has been the practice Of enligh
tened nations not only to give welcome but a
support even TO exiles, who had hed from oppres
sion in their own country TO take refuge within
the limits Of another. The senator has referred
Va to many examples Bat apprehenl chat he
might have given us another which came Tor
years within his own immediate knowledge. Ii
recollect history Alright, Louis Phil ppc, for
years after he was king Of Franco, in an annual
message and speech from his throne, expressed
his warmest hope and his cordial wish for the re
storation of the nationality of Poland. He did not
stop there. His minister Of finance made the pro-
per recommendation each year Of one million
.
Polish exies then in capital nf France waiting
for the opportunity 10 return and secure the nle.
pendence Of their native land. And ia king in
the heart of Europe could year after year. ex-
press suce desire Or the restoration Of the na.
tionality OF Pnl,nd--i kingdom tha. had been
destroyed by the combination Of the dcspots
OF Europc-and il thai king could tax his pco. 4
pie and appropriate their money - support
these cxilcs, shall it be said that the republic
OF America, cannot express even cordial /
welcome to an exile who has struggled for hb |
cgiy in his own, county. and become the rep. !
rescnta'ive OF the LIBERAL principle throughout /
the world
Sir, we have tho right, according to the laws
ofnatinns, 10 express our wish, sympathy, and .
heartfelt desire for the success. nf every move
ncnt that tends 10 elevate and liberal u the
institutions Of every people upon the face Of
the globe and hold that we not only have
the right 10 do so but is our duty also Yes,
sir and We should go further. Our represent.
tliIvos abroad shnId instantly recognize the
independence of every country the moment
thai II republic il dc facio established, and then
open commercial relations with such country.
That proposition is entirely consistent with
the laws Of nations, and it would be u cause of
offence with any unc who would moi give en-.
enlargement TO the friends Of liberal insiitu.
ions wherever the struggle was pending. We
have the right II do these things and many
lthcrs that are consistent with the courtesics
md privileges that should subsist between
friendly nations. And hold that the Amcri.
AN republic should do all that is cons i,iant
with the laws OF nations 10 hlw it, sympathy
tlth the struggling millions, for freedom in
very part Of the world. That is my opinion
upon this subject.
would he glad to recognize and welcome
.ioy. kossuth here in such explicit terms as
you'd recognize the principle that each state
las right to- dispose If hcrselfa and to regulate
ior own domestic affairs and Institutions as
he plclscs, without The Interference Of any
Iureign power whatever. am prepared TO as
'ort by II resolution of this body that every
state upon the face Of the globe has IN undoui
tblc right to establish and regulate is own do. .
nestle Institutions in its own way, without |
he interference Of any other nation upon the |
face Of tie globe and | hold that the inter
Icrance with that right would be violation |
ii the laws Of nations, and an interference
with the rights of nations Hence | assert /
hat, in my opinion, the interference Of Russia in /
destroying the constitutional rights Of Hungary
WAS n violation of the laws Of nations We have |
The right TO instruct our diplomatic agents abroad
to protest against any such fIgrant outrage up |
on the rights Of nation. We have right to /
70 further, nnl make it Just cause Of war
II We choose to do SO, though we are under no oh
legation To make every violation of the laws o I
nations that may take place a cause Of war. Up
on that we are to decide, with q Just sense of
what Is due to ourselves our glory, and our /
country.
Because we demonstrate The right Of each na
ton TO regulate her institutions in her own way,
and thereby acknowledge the great fundamental /
ptiaclple asserted by kossuth, and because we 1
20 further, and say that the violation Of that
principle gives Us Tho right to intcrpose, it does
not by any means follow that we mus, or will /
interposc. would not pledge this nation to in
isrpose in the affairs of foreign nations, nor would
pledge tins nation not TO interpose in any TO |
reign controversy. | would let the American ma. |
ton stsnd in all her dignity, majesty and might, |
preserving the right to regulate her own conduct |
from day to day. and from year to year, as she |
shoulG see fiji, and as cases might arise, Iii |
not for Us to say that We will or we will not in
terfrre.
What would he the effect Of the declaration |
here upon this floor that Russia may nterpose
and strike down freedom throughout the Europe. |
an continent and America will not interfere |
Why, It wnnld be to give the ascent of the Anne. |
rican republic to the establishment OF despot |
ism throughout Europe and throughout the world !
Now will give no such consent in ndvancu BY !
the declaration that Russia is at liberty to do |
such thing IL is too much like declaring in |
advance that foreign power has right to exc. |
cute Americans. as we have seen done within n
year past, Let US neither say We will or will