The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-20
THE UNION: WASHINGTON TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 90

Have you not seen, sir in the last few years how diff
suits which The war-yesse OF Great Britain, presump.
tuous from their knowledge OF their superior naval
power, occasionally offer 10 our flag But LET there
once be war, and you Will soon perceive the differ
ence in The calculations and feelings which control the
people OF this country and OF this generation and those
which controlled them fifty years ago Since that period,
we have grown six seven-fod greater in population
and resources and true to the characteristic traits OF
lineage, we have grown in concet OF puissance still
more Neither our temper nor our prudence improves
with the changing circumstances OF condition and
resources Let there be war In Europe and especially
one between any OF the maritime powers and the first
open violation OF our natural rgbtsthe first breach OF
the accustomed courtesies 10 our fag-wlll be instantly
etaaled aud thus would be begun all unprepared
we may be- And let me say the people OF this country
that with the feelings which exist probably al this
ment in Europe any OF The considerable maritime pow
ers OF that continent would be nothing 10th TO accept the
issue OF war thus presented The weak points IN our
eondion--our SIX thousand miles OF inadequatey pro.
ccted seacoas, 10 say nothing OF other causes which
may parayZe enegiesare well understood abroad
as at home And let say further, under existing cir
cumsances. II will be good fortune il, in any
European war IN which shall be engaged, shall
not have the sympathes OF every other power OF that
neDt embered against us, except only such may be
strengthened by our inerposton
Before | conclude. it may be well to turn for a mo-
ment to those evidences OF that sober discretion that
steady adherence TO home interests-hat for
the teachings oil our ancestors-that concatoy and for
bearing spirit towards foreign powers much relied
upon 10 shield us from the wasting and runous folly Of
foreign wars exhibited in the last few years.
II is true thatln the matter OF the Cuban invasion,
the intervention of England and the return of the
Spanish consul TO New Orleans--our government has
pursued policy snguarly modest respects any con-
ce OF our preensions and in the highest degree
forbearing and coniormabe to the peace policy.
But let us whether We have manifested equal dis
creton and fobearance, and equally conciliatory
spirit in regard to the recent disorders on the continent OF
Europe.
1t was but natural that our sympathes should be
deeply moved by the gallant struggle OF the Hungarans
10 their attempt 10 maintain their nationality and to
assert their liberty and Independence II was but just
/ "a al nc
driven out OF Hungary, and trembed the verge OF de-
feat under the walls OF Vienna, that should have
beheld with no little indignation the Intervention OF The
Car OF Russia 10 arestng the victorious career OF Hun
gary Nor il possible that should not be deeply
moved by the atrocous cruelies alleged 10 have been
and, as we suppose, were-perpelraied by Austria
against the captive Hungarian chiefs. Nor it to be
supposed that in country like this that the popular
feeling would not find expression through public jour
communication TO the world Nor could it have been
supposed, under such circumstances, that, through the
same media the popular IDEAS and theories OF
and human rights in general should not be manifested in
violent nvecves and denunciaons against the dcspo,ic
principles and policy OF the Austrian and Russian gov
! enments. All that might have been expected, and
could not have been ground OF complaint.
But this expression OF popular feeling and principles
did not stop there One of TIE most distinguished and
eminent statesmen OF the United States-and refer to
this in personal unkindness TO the honorable senator
brought forward resolution to suspend all diplomatic
intercourse with one OF those powers, Austra) And
afterwards another senator, who has attained consdera
BILE distinction in the country, moved resolution, which
was acceded TO by the Senate, calling upon the Pres
dent TO ntepose his good Offices for the release OF Kos
suth and his companions in exile from their captivity in
Turkey, and 10 tender TO him national vessel TO bear
him and his suit TO America. Kossulh and his compan
ions were accordingly released and osenatiousy borne
under the national flag TO our shores, where he was re-
ceved with triumphal honors But this did not suffice
After had thus and 10 this extent nteered in the
affairs and qnaels OF two OF the great powers OF Europe
we proceeded stR further 10 provoke them by breach
OF national courtesy-such breach as is forgotten
or forgiven however the revenge may be delayed The
already highly hOnOred. "a the i'm IL
now, regarded by the Emperor of Austria the pripe
mover-the living animailng principle OF an internal
CONFUSION which shook his throne 10 lis foundation,
brought humiliation upon his house. attached stain 10
the proud eseneheon Of the CUsars that never be
be efaced the man who seeks 10 be to the
Car OF Russia what Sir Sidney Smith sought to be 10
Napoleon-hs evil geBus-dedicating his life. his ge
MUS and his eoquence 10 the dsparagement OF his char
acterpreachins crusade against his policy, his power,
and the principles OF his government-the man, who at
the same time is proclaimed to be, at once the martyr and
the apostle of liberty in Europe-thls man, by vote
OF the Senate-beir attention being called to him n
message OF the President OF the United States himself
invited to the seat OF the national government en-
terslned at the public expense. and bya formal recep
ton in open session of the Senate had bonots heaped
upon him which the proudest citizen OF the ancient
commonwealth OF Rome might not have declined
greater insult 10 those two great monarches, Rus
STA and Austria, you could not have inflicted by open
declaration OF How idle, how ridiculous, after
this 10 be gravely debating and considering whether
shall proceed TO express our sympathy with the fortunes
OF Hungary or to protest against the Intervention OF Rus
STA 20 her asiis by further resolutions; as 10 what
snail be Their forms unless, indeed desire still fur
ther toprovoke and insult Russia and Austria by more
formal declaration OF our mpacabe hatred OF them
Now sir, from these proceedings we may form some
proper estimate OF the true character and extent OF that
moderation and sober discretion of the American people
aud OF their representatives. OF the present times and
generation, so confidently relied upon 10 keep us in the
faith and in the counsels Of the fathers Of the republic
Truly we have before US most notable and instructive
specimen and illustration oil the progress OF the age But
did y never occur TO those who have been forward
by Their proceedings 10 give 10 the world memora-
bic expression OF their devotion 10 the principle OF the
equal rights OF mink ind, and OF their adherence OF all
such despoic governments that OF Russia that was
proper to consider whether the system Of Russia In the
present condition OF her population, may not be the very
best that could be devised 10 advance their civilization
and prepare them for ultimate freedom Did IL never
occur 10 them to consider with what caustic severity
the Gar OF Russia might retou their examinations OF
his government and their pompous declarations in favor
OF liberty and equality by slight reference 10 our own
practical construction OF the theory of those righs1
But in our proceedings in relation to Hungarian affairs
we have not only departed from the wise policy laid
down by our foTefaibers, IN givng afront 10 Rus
STA and Austria; we have also compromised the
interests and the safety of the Sultan OF Turkey Who
knows bot that at this moment he may be the doomed
victim OF the resentment OF those two great powers
Have we ever considered that in our oflicious in.
termeddbng in the afaiis OF Europe, we have in
CURED obligations and Observation-Disclosures OF
dny, OF honor and oil self-respec,, which can only
be fulfilled and acknowledgement ourselves TO insults
which can only be realiated by war; reason not
upon the chances that in the present condition OF Euro
pean affairs, may be the policy of the two great powers
whom we have so deeply aggrieved to waive their resent
ment against Turkey anil to maintain amicabe re atoms
with for the present for acting upon the ma