The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-25


in the fishing and your vessels which now
there engaged 10 the fisheries seized without notice
for violation OF this Interpretation OF the treaty Of
1878 express again my qualification that the senator
from Virginia has presented this resolution shall vote
for II cordaHyi and trust that the consequences flow
ing iron will be only such will be conducive TO the
safety OF this important public interest.
MIR. DAWSON, Mr. President, honor the motives
which prompted the Introduction oil ibis resolution; but
am sorry lobe Obliged to say that do not consider the
course which the discussion has taken is in accordance
WIN The motives which prompted the Introduction OF the
resolution Facts have been assumed here, Tor the pur
pose OF discussing this question: which may not be entire
~ confirmed when tile information shall come IN II
understand the of this resolution being offered,
Is because the Senate is destitute of the legitimate inor
nation on this ques,ioabecause they desire 10 inform
themselves for the purpose OF acting upon and yet init
nations, In terms too strong TO be misunderstood anu
Objects too clear TO be misnieeted, have been inferred
and commented upon. 6a txtI E #
The honorable senator from Connecticut Mr. TouoEyl
says that The Executive may probably want some PROMPT
the feeling Of the county aud particularly the feeling
which may exist here When, sir, has the Executive
questions which have interested this country What
public political act OF his is there from which you
can infer that he is sleeping upon his post when the in
teresis and honor OF his country involved! What
act OF his, Mr. President ever authorized senator upon
this floor presume that he is not ready to discharge his
duty' What circumstance has been suggested here
which would influence the mind of any senator TO suppose
that he not now acting upon the question according TO
the information which he has, and that he IS not seeking
all proper information upon the subject! When was il
that he ever failed TO communicate the Senate and the
representatives OF the people upon any question which
was likely TO involve the honor or interest OF the nation
Never sir Why, then, talk about prompting, urging, and
stimulating the executive department of this government
TO sustain its honor aud its lnerests'
Sir would not have said word upon this subject had
not seen everything tending towards paftyism and to IN
iluence the public mind unjusily against the executive
department OF the government Sir has it this,
that cannot discuss the grave question OF
without first attacking the character OF the representative
tha ,,la thnrp ,T tha dat.ar aptp
But sir it is said that this is the great interest OF the
North. Well, sir, what greater man can you have to
sustain her honor and her interest than the preseat Sec
retary of Sate' When has he failed to meet any
crisis involving the interests OF this government! Never,
sir; never
But, sir, am not going to be the occasion of intro
ducing discussion merely wish to reply 10 gentlemen
by saying that this thing has all occurred within the
of three days, and yet blame is sought to be imputed
TO the executive department, Wait gentlemen; wait
your time with patience First get your niormalion and
II the Executive, any member Of his cabinet, has failed
TO discharge his duty, then stand upon the facts which
will be understood By the people, and make your attacks
But you are now standing upon air and treadng upon
nothng and therefore you should avoid making these in
situations, Tor II is uDgenerous and unkind
Sir even the absence OF the Secretary OF State has
been spoken ofan absence created by the state of his
health. Why, SIR, who supposes that when question
like thsa question almost OF peace waTis involved,
be, or any oher man connected with the administration
OF this government TO fail to be at his post possible,
In the discharge OF his duiyl But, Mr. President, re-
gret this for another reason No longer ago than yeste
the distinguished senator from
Mr.. CAss.l stated that there no war cloud" now
lowering over US How forcibly this reminds Of
what is said in the best OF books, that "know not
what day may bring forth ~ Can il be, cir, that all this
talk about war this morning is intended merely to frus
taie the prediction assertion OF mmef Laughter
There is just about much reason to suppose that a
anticipated between Great Britain and the United
States 10 suppose that my prediction would become the
subject OF debate.
Sir the people may well inquire why this discussion
has arisen-why this reference should be made TO sub
lec lutOrmatlOn-Wny
should have been spoken OF to-day My friend The SEN
aior from Mississippi Mr. ADAMsl places the subject
upon lis proper footing he spoke OF II as ought TO be
spoken Of He said: " You have no official information
upon this subject and why need you alarm the couny9
ask, why have you brought this into The discussion.
and why should you impue wrong anywhere Let us
wait few days. This is Friday, and we may adjourn
over until Monday; but meanwhile the public mind will
become filled with appTehension the elegraphic wires
will convey the information far and wide that the war
whoop has been sounded here this morning, and that
gentlemen have risen here in passion asking Tor inor
nation on subject about which they had none, and yet
on 10 talk about war-about the guns OF foreign
country being brought bear spon and that the gov
OF this country would be forced TO treat under
the pointed artillery OF foreign oe Sir these are mere
maginings; they the expressions OF the gentle
mems own minds thrown before the country, who are
not any better informed upon the subject Than we are;
and thus will go from end oil the country 10 the
other that war cloud il hovering us, when II is
not So Hence is that say honor the motives which
prompted the introduction OF this resolution oil inquiry as
10 what the state of affairs really s, in order that The
The only reason for it. Is there senator here, MIR.
President who for moment supposes that that reso
luton will cause any facts to be communicated TO this
body which will furnish any ground for all this talk
about war; Not one, sir-not one Why, SIR the pa
pers which have been spoken OF have publisbed-one
of them, believe, dated the 9th OF Julyall that Is
known in relation TO the subect and, so far as have
been able TO compr bend the subject, nothing but what is
amicable to exist between the two nations. ap
prehend nothing will exist. am decidedly in
favor OF the resolution and shall vote for with great
pleasure.
Mr.. TOUCEY. | will reply TO the inquiry which the
honorable senator from Georgia has been pleased TO adj.
dress TO me by asking question: Instead OF issuing
from the Department OF State the letter which has ap.
peared in The public prnts why has not the Executive
sent naval force protect the fishermen IN the enjoy
ment OF their accustomed rights
Mr.. DAWSON. Does the gentleman desire an answer
TO that question nowl
Mr.. TOUCEY. Yes, sir.
Mr.. DAWSON | presume that ii the fishermen have
been deprived OF their accustomed rights and the Execu
tive has received information Of the facts, he has dis
charged his duty If those statements with regard 10 the
fishermen being deprived of their just rights be true, let
the proof be adduced, and show me the papers upon
which you found your declaration.
MIR. TOUCEY. Does the honorable senator from Geor-
gia say that the President has already sent into north
efn waters naval force for the protection OF the Usher
meni
MIR. DAWSON. Did the senator from Connecticut
understand me 10 say that PROFOUND the question 10
him, if he understood me TO say that the President had
done so
Mr. TOUCEY | understood the senator TO intimate
something OF the kind, and wish him TO be explicit with
regard to II.
Mr.. DAWSON will respond TO that inquiry, be.
cause in arguing a question the Senate, take every