The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-07

for the great Lswgiver has never subjected either
individuals or sOcetiea to an obligation, without
attaching to the law penalty for its neglect,
and reward for its fuflment.
II has already appeared that there is duty
resting upon US, unless indeed, the act pro-
posed would involve an injury to some real in
terest of our own. The question, then, is not,
what shall we gain, but what shall we lose, by
the protest! The Senate chamber and the
country resound with alarms of war in reply to
this inquiry, and we are frightened with esti-
mates of the boundless cost Of the controversy,
and with pictures of It's calamites, fearful in
deed if we to be overborne, and still more
terrible if we shall come off conquerors Sir, |
Deed no warnings of that kind War is so in
congruous with the dictates of reason, so fero-
cous, 80 haz irdous, and so demoral zing, that !
will always counsel a trial of every other lawful
and honorable remedy for injustice, before re-
sort to that extreme measure of redress and,
indeed, shall never counsel il except OIL the
ground Of necessary defence.
But if war is to follow this protest, then it
must come in some way, and by the act of either
ourselves or our enemy. But the protest is
not declaration, nor menace, nor even a
pledge OF war in any contingency. War; then,
will not come in that way, nor by or in conse-
quence Of our act Ii war is nevertheless to
come, it must come in retaliation Of the protest,
and by the act Of Russia, or of Austria, or of
Austria, or Of both. Assume now that it shall
so come, will it be just? The protest is re-
monstrance addressed to the conscience of Rus
STA, and, passing beyond her, carries an appeal
to the reason and justice OF mankind. As by
the municipal law, no remonstrance or COM
plant justfes blow, SO by the law of nations,
no remonstrance or complaint justifies war.
The war then would be unjust, and so the pro-
test would be not cause, but a pretext But
a nation that will declare war on pretext, will
either fabrcate one or declare war without any.
Let no one say that misstate the character of
this measure. 1t is neither untried nor new.
Austria protested against the mission of Dudley
Mann, and President Taylor's avowal of it. Did
we go to war? Did anybody think that we
ought or could 60 to war for that! No we
made a counter protest by the celebrated letter
OF the Secretary of State, Mr.. WEBSTER.
Did Austria maintain her protest by declara-
ton of war? No ). we are at peace with Aus
tria yet, and hope we shall be so forever. And
now, honorable senators, ask, if we are to
shrink from this duty through fear of unjust
retaliation, what duty shall We not shrink from
under the same motive? And what will be the
principle of our policy, when thus shrinking
from obligations, but fear instead of duty!
And who are we, and who are Austria and
Russia, that zoe should fear them when on the
defence against an unjust war? | admit, and |
hope all my countrymen will learn it without a
trial. that we are not constituted for maintain
ing long, distant wars of conquest or Of aggres-
sion. But in defensive war levied against us
on such pretext, the reason and the sympa-
thies of mankind would be our side, CO. opera
FIN ,r,ith az p1
self preservaton. Our enemies would be pow
erless to harm us, and we should be unconquer-
able.
Why, then, ask, shall we refrain from the
protest! The answer comes up on all sides
Since, then, the measure is pacific, Russia v i'll
disregard it, and so it will be useless Well,
what if it should? 1t will at least be harmless
But Russia will not disregard it, It is true that
we once interpleaded between the belligerents
OF Europe twenty-five years by protests and re-
inconsistencies in defence Of our neutral rights,
and indicated them at last by resistance against
one party, and open, direct war against the
other. But all that is changed now. Our flag
was then stranger on the seas, our principles
were then unknown. Now, both are regarded
with respect and affection by the people of
Europe. And that people, too, are changed.
They are no longer debased and hopeless of
freedom, but, on the contrary, are waiting i'm
patiently for it, and ready to second our ex.
pressions of interest in their cause. The Brit
ish nation is not without jealousy of us. Let
us only speak out Do you think that they
would be silent? No, sir. And when the
United States and Great Britain should once
speak, the notwithstanding bayonets of the
army of France, if need were, would open
passage for the voice of that impulsveand gen.
erous nation. Who believes that Russia dcs-
potic as she is, would brave the remonstra noes
of these three great powers, sustained as they
would be by the voice Of Chrstendom! Sir,
do not know that this protest will do Hungary
or European Democracy any good 1t is enough
for me that, like our first of orators Mr.. WEB
sTER in similar case, can say, 81 hope it
may"
But it is replied that, if our protest shall be
disregarded, we must resor. to war to maintain
it, and that Louis Kossuth has confessed so
much shall not stay long on The bubble of
the lawyers who claim to have crcumvented
the guest at the feast to which they had
hidden him. 1t was so that some Of old sought
to entanglc in constructions of their national
traditions the Great Teacher who came, not to
dispute with DOCTORS but to call men to repent
ance. This proceeding is mine, not that of the
Hungarian Neophyte in American politics. 1t
is to be settled upon argument here, not on con-
cessions elsewhere And now, sir, why must we
90 to war to sustain our protest? You may
say, because we should be dishonored by aban-
doniug an interest so solemnly asserted Sir,
those who oppose The protest are willing TO for
sake the cluse of Hungary now. Will il be
more dishonorable to relnquish it after an earn
est effort, than to abandon it without any effort
at all in its behalf? Sir, if it be mere honor
that is then to prick US on, let the timid give over
their fears. A really great, enlightened, and
Christian nation has just as much need to make
war on a false point of honor, as a really great,
and Christian man has need to en-.
gage in personal contest in the same case
and that is no necessity at all. Nor shall we be
reduced to the alternative of war; If Hungary
shall never rise, there will be no casus beH. III
she shall rise, we shall have right to choose the
time when to recognise her as nation. That
recognition, with its political influence and com
mercial benefits, will be adequate to prevent or
Russian intervention. But am
that we shall unnecessarily offend