The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
Speech or non. JOHN BELL.


IA n, subject Of non. Intervention delivered in The
'" Senate, dpra 10, 1851
NJ, BEIL Mr.. President, | cannot but feel some
hatassment in proceeding address the Senate, after
shat has Just transpired; aud regret exceedingly TO
IA myseli in position which seems 10 require that
shoud speak this subject at all, when know that
Msrs are several measures which the public interest de-
snls should be considered at early day. Neyerthe
I ,hsday having been assigned Tor the consideration
u he resolutions just announced from the Chair, with
II. indulgence OF the Senate | beg leave, under all
,hs,e smbarraf snents, 70 proceed.
Same question has made with regard 70 my views upon
~ resolutions offered BY the honorable senator from
Rhode Island, Mr. CiAxxE AIN not SO vain, sir, as
~ unpose it OF any public Importance that should state
what my views are but still choose TO avail myself Of
he courtesy usually extended TO senators under such
nryiege OF senators 10 express their views freely
On any question which they may deem Of sudicent i'm
ponanss and whtcat MY vpysr - Ahs
am aware, sf. that this sshssct hss lost naeh of s
sshnesssll more oi IL stsssesion-by tN discussion
which i has already ssesiysa. ssd mora particularly y
country prsviouay 10 ne o64lt III the resolutions
h ,hs honorabIs seaaiQr tQM Khade Island. Sill am
Il opinion that the sah)ect hss l$ pops ri IA intrinsic
Importance by the lapse Of iRs ~ she consder spn
discussed in all s more interesting Epnpsxions and bear
ncs and is los she purpose chiefly of expressing my
views upon several aspects of the general question.
which other gentlemen 40 mol appear 70 have thought Of
sufficient interest 10 preseat that have risen to-day.
wish il 10 Be understood ia the Outset that do not
propose 10 occupy e time allotted to this occasion
by noticing particularly the arguments OF gentlemen who
have preceded me- am aware that il might perhaps be
expected OF me 10 take some notice OF the structures OF the
honorable senator from Lonlsiana, mol now present, Mr.
SouLE upon the course OF the administration in relation
10 the Cuban INVASION the ofciOus nermeddng OF the
British government n that affair, and the circumstances
under which the Spanish consul returned TO New Or
leans, Sir while doubt not that the policy and pro-
ceedngs of the administration in relation those
n n atG RAJ M
yelsha leave TO others-who may be more familiar with
all the circumstances OF these transactions than and
10 whom il may be both more convenient aud agreeable
the task OF elucidatDg those circumstances and oil de-
ducing from them the just vindicaiion OF the Executive
desire, further, TO have il understood that do not al.
tach very much Importance TO the question earnestly
debated--after all that has transpired in relation 10
this subjectwhetber the resolutions offered by the hon
oTabe senator from Rhode Island shall be adopted, If
adopted at all, without amendmeni-or whether we may
not incorporate with them some expression OF the opn-
entertained by the country OF the intervention OF
Russia in the affairs OF Hungary. While il gives me
pleasure TO acknowledge that no member oil this body
may Justly claim larger share OF good sense or sounder
and more practical and stalesmanke views upon any
question he chooses 10 investigate than the senator from
Rhode Island and while admit that his resolutions
embrace every sentiment which think important for
his country 10 declare IN connexlon with the Hunga-
question, nevertheless, mean TO say that do moi
lay the same stress that others have done upon the
question whether The resolutions shall pass in the shape
ia which they now staod--or whelher they shall be SO
Nrsn OF the country upon the practical question OF inter
wlon in the presented between Russia and Hungary
hay view OF the subject II Congress, entertaining the
opinion that any important principle OF International law
bas been violated by the Intervention OF Russia in the
Affairs OF hungary, should deem 1t expeden 10 express
the concern with which the people Of this country had
witnessed that intervention and even 10 proies, and re-
monsraie against any future and similar violation OF the
law OF Datlos IN temperate yet firm lang uage, do not
consider that such proceeding ought would disturb
he amcable relations existing between The two countries
hold that such proceeding the part of the United
States would be no Just OF offence any foreign
power nor any violation OF national courtesy. Indeed
s, there may be some danger that in caution to
avoid one extreme, we may tall into The opposite one
Tor while agree that neither sound policy, just
gard for own character and dignity, due respect
iof any foreign nations with whom have amcabe
lalions and seek to maintain mutually profitable com
meeal intercourse do not warrant or justify the employ
menl OF the language u nyecve, oil menace, bravado
protesting OF demonstrating against any actual supposed
aggression upon the rights OF any other nation people,
yet there wide difference between such orbeafance
IN language-between hrm and yet temperate express
uon oil our opinions and sentiments, and the iameness
and submissive acqulescence which might be implied
IRON absolute silence, when we conceive that there has
been a vio aon OF any great conservative principle OF
that system OF international law, the boast oil modern
civilization, which has, by common consent, been
adopted to the equal and independent rights OF
e weaker and smaller States as well as OF the stronger
and more powerful among the family OF nations.
have thrown out these suggestions rather TO assert
lbe night oil any nation 10 take exception, by protest
or renonsnce 10 the acts conduct of any other pow
er conceived 10 be iniracon OF the law oil nations
without being necessarily committed TO any other
lorcble Intervention TO compel its observance, than wh
any view TO the exercise OF the right the present
SION. For myself, am quite content with the resou
hons as they were presented by the senator from Rhode
Island III II were important proper or expedent,
add to The resolutions, originally presented by decar
ing our sympathy with the fortunes OF Hungary, TO
protest against any future Intervention by Russia in the
Affairs OF that gallant people, am not prepared say
NAT either the amendment offered by the from
Michigan, Mr. CAss,l or by the senator from New York
lmi. SEWARD Is in form which could receive my as
sent The language OF the amendment offered by the sen
aor from New York consider is decidedly Objectionable
But do not propose to discuss this point further lido
not propose TO examine the question whether there has
been any violation OF any great conservative principle OF
we law oil nations by Russa-whether the interference
loai power, upon the invitation OF Austria, with the
snas OF Hungarya dependent kingdom OF the Austrian
empIe-was such avolaton-nor do propose to 20 into
,ae discussion OF what may be the true Interpretation OF
memW o. nations as 10 the question: how far one ma
Won may DC justified allowed 10 interfere 10 the inter
na aais OF another, when its safety or interest
may seem 70 require such nerventionl II rs enough to
"a mal Whatever may be the rule OF International law
me faeuee Of nauons shown by all history, isand
~, ever will be-ihat, whenever any great power con-
ues ha either its safety, interest, the success
- I've ambitious schemes suggest the policy oi nterven-
uVh W me affairs oil other natons II will not hesitate 10
mlebee i may be said with truth of the law OF ma
ons as has been said of municipal law certain cond
society and government that II is too often found
dead letter when great criminals are 10 be brought
wsuca SIR, II is principle OF International law that
20 hauon has right to wage against another nation
Nhonl lus cause and yet than ninsienths OF the
Nas which have afflicted the world in mojern
unes have bad other foundation just prelex than
splni OF conquest, the love OF glory, oil spoil
nwl be perceived, sir from the tenor OF these intro
gucory remarks, that have not risen TO continue the
asonson upon the subject OF the policy OF Intervention
!, non intervention by the United States N the affairs