The daily union., 1852-02-12


who have resisted the laws Of the government under
which they lived. That is the point Now, my honor
able inend asks US why are the best men sent out Of
France u they are not guilty OF moral tarpitude3
MIR BADGER. said no such thing.
Mr. CASS Then did not understand The gentleman
He knows as well as do that they sent out by or
der oil the individual who is now controlling that govern
ment And YET young Lafayette and Lester and the best
men Of France, are guilty OF moral iurpiude
Mr. BADGER / did not say so.
Mr. CASs. That is no evidence oil moral turpitude~-I
their being sent out OF the country by the order OF The
government II IS simply an act OF power-nohing
Mr.. BADGER The honorable senator certainly per.
sists very strongly in misstatng what have said /
know he does not design IT,
Mr.. CASS. Certainly not
Mr. BADGER. have said over and over again that
have gwen no such opinion upon this matter | said
that governments do not regard offenders against them
selves palros-men influenced by high and lofty mo.
tyes. They look upon them criminals and there
lore they punish them accordingly That is what and
all that have said about the subject My argument
entirely dependent upon the proposition that have stated
and resated, that we interfere in behalf OF those whom
another government deems worthy OF punishment merely
because we think them patriotic and perfectly justfabe
in their acts, they may also interfere with the same right
IN the case OF persons here whom they may deem to
have been engaged in astfable eortsgloous spirits
who sought to destroy our laws in obedience 10 hghe.
law, although we deem them exceedingly criminal and
wish 10 commit them TO the severes punishment. That
is all that have urged
Mr.. SHIELDS. do not to re-enter into the de-
bate upon the present OCCASION and shall make any
remarks OF my But since offered the few remarks
which made on Saturday last have received letter
from gentleman whose views in my opinion this Sen.
ate will respect He is northern gentleman, and per-
haps about as sensitive in relation TO southern rights
my friend from North Carolina, [Mr BADGERl / will
say here that at one time felt disposed touch upon
this very point. Were a southern man, would be
proud OF II But, with all respect for the South, would
certainly hesitate as TO the proprety OF bringing in that
very sensitive question OF southern institutions upon all
occasions. would not feel that was estopped from
expressing my sympathy Tor the unfortunate and the free
and liberal everywhere, because happened 10 be south
erner But do not mean to touch upon that point now
Here is letter from highly cultivated southern gen.
ueman-a vlrgnian-a gentleman who represented this
country at the court OF st James And let say that
no represented this country at that court,
any other court, who was more sensitive upon this very
question of the right OF interference well recollec the
difficulty that occurred while he that court be-
tween him and very powerful Of the lime and
them. But will say nothing more about him now.
will ask that the Secretary read this letter, because it
presents this matter orcby be presented by
any one
1.-THE letter then 10 the Secrearys table and
read. II from Hon Andrew Stevenson, and ex
pressed his approval OF The resolution in relation 10 the
rsh exies and his appreciation OF the views presented
1 by Mr. SHIELDS in his speech OF Saturday lasl
Mr. y then proceeded TO say take the liberty of
who i we'll v acquainted with diplomatic proprsy, @ seems
TO regard this resolution entirely harmless far
giving offence 10 the British government is concerned
He is we'll acquainted with the disposition OF that gov
ernment and The condition Of the English and Irish peo
pie ~
/ understand that some amendments were offered be-
fore came into the Senate this morning by my friend
from New York, MIR. SEWARD | would like TO have
them read.
| The amendments then read, follows:
Strike the fou rth line the word respectful"
insert the word courteous" Also. in the line strike
out the words g firm conviction" and insert the word
opinion3 And in the ninth and tenth lines strike out
the words " we would regard this act of clemency, and
insert the words this act OF clemency would be re-.
garded."
Mr.. SHIELDS think myself that the word " cour-
teous" is more appropriate word than respectful" !"
and will accept that amendment | also think the
word "opinon is better than the words firm convc.
ton" Indeed, | am willing 10 accept all the amend
ments
i The PRESIDENT The senator cannot accept the
amendments, this resolution is in the power Of
the Senate The question must be taken upon them as
amendments 10 the amendment OF the senator from ll
nois, Mr. SHIELDs.l
The question was then stated 10 be upon the amend
ments 10 the amendment.
Mr. MASON. | listened with very great pleasure upon
former day to the remarks OF the honorable senator
from Illinois, Mr. SHIELDS who stands here now, be-
leye as the immediate patron Of thus resolution None
doubt that the interest which he takes in this sub
ect besides the general interest which acuaes him as an
American statesman is OF character peculiar and ap
propriae himself And he has presented this resolu
ton us, and sustained it in manner which, while il
reflects credit upon him as statesman, does even greater
credit 10 his heart
But il is not my design al all 10 enter into the merits OF
this question, further than 10 express my opinions OF the
policy OF it, II is OF kindred character with
the one that discuwed yesterday by the honorable
senator from Rllcnlgan, lhf IAsS III IL measure
which commits this government TO a step never hereto
fore takento interference, direct ntererence-wilh
the policy of foreign governments 1t is in that light
alone that am permitted, as senator from one OF the
States OF this republic TO look upon and 10 consider IT,
And however freely | may acknowledge that the most
deep and earnest sympahes OF the American people
with these met, who may justly be called patriotic now
in exile from their fatherland-howeyer we must ac-
knowledge that the sympathies OF people with
them yet feel bound 10 declare that this government is
forbidden from taking this step.
We have lately seen a gentleman from abroad come
here self-constiiuted mission to this country, Tor
the purpose OF unseng policy in relation TO foreign
governments We have seen the counenance and sup.
port that he has met with from OF every degree and
every station We have the impressonl fear the
deep mpresslon-hat he has made upon the feelings OF
And we have witnessed the fact that thousands have
hung sympathzing listeners 10 him while he attempted
TO show that our beloved Washington, when he laid the
foundation Of this policy deep and broad was himself
mistaken; and who listened TO him when he told them
that, although he was that our government was
against change in that policy yet he was equally aware
that the people could control that government and he
declared and avowed that he was here 10 induce the
American people to override their governmentin what
Why, in the matter Of policy in relation 10 foreign
tons, which has never been departed from heretofore
since the days il was laid down by Washington.
MIR. President, heard il with great and deep regret
when the Justly distinguished senator from Michigan,
lMr CAss,l whose words always carry weight with
them before the American people, told us lately as
which he proposed-hat il would not lead 10 war, but
that il would exercise moral and persuasive influence
upon nations abroad and he gave US numerous instances
where foreign governments had expressed their opinions
with regard 10 the acts OF others, and OF those opinions
being carried into execution and not dsregarded by them