The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-01-06

horrible hObgobllns. lie could not himself have
made better Russian. speech for the Austrians
than that OF Mr.. Underwood. Such appears TO
be the influence in the Senate of the chief of the
diplomatic corps"
Now, sir, there is not one word Of truth in it,
SO far as ] am concerned No such confabula-
uon ever took place no such interview ever
occurred, on the floor of the Senate or elsewhere.
IL Is lamentable that letter writers or others will
stun the journals of the country with lies derog-
atory 10 the character of senators and the char
acter OF this body. These things go abroad
and to prevent the effect they possibly may have,
by being published, in the other branch of the
legislature, thought il my duty to notice them
here, because, sir, it is utterly useless to enter
into war with an editor who has an arsenal in
his hands, when you have not
Slr. DAWSON. would not have referred
to this subject; but as my friend from Kentucky
has alluded to il, | will only take occasion to say
the statement which he.has read 10 us is not true.
As to the conclave of which that writer speaks,
have no knowledge of it, Mr. Bodsco may
have been here, and | may have been in CONVEX
sation with him, but not upon that subject; and
as to the three being engaged in conversation
with him, have no recollection of it. have
no recollection of having seen bin upon that
day, or upon the day before | delivered my
views to the Senate. As the Senator from
Kentucky say, there is certainly a misrepre-
senation; and il may be that the writer NAV
have mistaken the man whom he supposed to be
conversing with Mr.. Bodisco.
Mr. DAVIS. do not think it matter of
great consideration what disposition is made of
this petition or memorial, But i concur with
the remarks thrown out by some gentlemen,
that the time has arrived when il is, perhaps,
expedi4nt that there should be some discussion
upon this subject, and perhaps some action by
the Senate upon it. j hope, when it does come,
it will be deliberate in it's character; and Ihope
so because | think there is some misapprehen-
sion of the nature and character of many promo
sltions which are made in the community with
regard to intervention. There is, apprehend,
an idea prevalent in the community, to some
extent perhaps not largely, that free institutions,
republican governments poDuar liberty, NAV
be created and sustained, and that governments
OF that character may be built up and supported
by the bayonet. | hold this view of the subject
to be utterly delusve and false hold that all
the experience of the world is at war with that
idea and that it is quite impossible, by force and
violence, to cherish and build up those principles
OF free government which are naturally pacific
in their character. II is an utter impossibility,
Mr.. President, unless the public mind has been
previously imbued with some just conception of
IL.
We saw the revolution in Europe in 1913. We
saw the throne of those ancient monarchs fall
TO tie ground under the popular breath. AL
most no force, no violence, no arms were ne
cessary to put down absoutism il fell by its
own unsustaned weight. But what do we see
now! ii there had been in Europe the reaui-
site wisdom, and that just view of this subject,
which hope, and have every reason to believe,
obtained throughout our own land, then1Vas the
time, and then the opportunity, which every
lover of popular liberty might have embraced,
to construct free eovernm nts. Then they
might have built up free institutions and estab.
lished them permanently. But, sir, is il not OBJ
vous that the wisdom to reconstruct was def
cient! There was not the mental discipline
which prepares the public mind 10 act with har-
mony; there was not the comprehensive views
Of this subject which are Indispensable to build
up ana TO sustain free government after they
had Frustrated the absolutsms which had previ-
ously existed. All wish to say at this time is,
that IL ia lannOntablo that IL 10 90. NJ une CHI
ieplore it more than do.
But may we not learn from facts of this &c ri
A lesson which is Of some importance to us?
Suppose that instead of these thrones crumb-
ling TO The earth in the manner they did, they
mad been Frustrated BY war-that they had
been overturned by the swori and the bayonet-
would these people in that case have been any
better prepared to build up free institutions and
10 sustain them! No, sir, popular liberty ripens
ike fruit upon the tree. II is in vain 10 attempt
70 hasten it, except by moral and pacific means.
And, sir, give me leave TO say that, whenever
iorce and violence interfe for purpose or with
view of this sort, no matter how patriotic the
feeling may be, and however strong the desire
Ior the enjoyment Of popular liberty, it ordina-
lily ends in swinging from one form of despot-
Sun into another.
Do you not see that in France now? How
ong is it since the constitution which was de-
iberately adopted there has been overturned and
Frustrated in the dust in single night! And
he President, having abolished the legislature.
= now attempting 10 re establish the empire az
existed in the days of his ancestors. Then.
ct ne simply say at this time, when we are
treating Of this subject, do not let us delude
ourselves under the idea that force and violence
llone can build up free institutions. There
must be preparation in the public mind for
zach an issue and such an event. The popula-
ion must have the requisite intelligence. They
must have the just views w ich belong 10 this
subject, in order to enable them 10 execute a
purpose OF this sort. And IL they have them,
VI your violence Is not only wasted-it not only
yoes to no just, and good, and efficient pur-
100 lVoihNo
! hope this subject will be discussed: hope
will be examined; and | hope the county
vii in the end come TO some just and proper
ieeision upon it, that the policy Of the govern
nent which has hitherto sustained us NAV be
indicated. ] do not stand here to say that no
ase can arise in which intervention NAV be
roper. Very far from it. | can understand
hat cases may arise " hen il becomes the appro-
,riate remedy,if not the only remedy. When
hat day comes-and that come it may is GER
ainly more than probabe--when that day
omes, when the great issue so much talked
1.-THE issue between absolute government and
rec governments to be met, we know where
We shall all be- We understand whirb mart
We shall espouse in this matter Bat, sir. that
lay will come fast enough of itself, witt>ut our
Undertaking TO hasten n There will be no.
hing gained by IN 'ertakng TO hasten !, by means
y ylolence. On the contrary, much mischief, I
hink, will be accomplished by such course,
Y rn mas 81. - --.is