Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-21

force TO accomplish the object they had in view Not
all My objection is this We say we think them worthy
objects Of sympathy, noble patriots entitled to liberty
but England does not think she would restore them
to freedom We to interpose them because have
view with regard TO their acts different from the view Of
their Government. The conclusion is irresistible that
when we have political offences committed here the Eng
sh Government have precisely the right TO inter-
pose by their good Offices of those whom that Government
may choose torecognise in behalf champions of human
W as noble and choice spirits upon the earth but who
by our laws, condemned to and condgn pun
ishment That is what mean.
MI CASS. l wish to say word more upon this
SUBJECT 10 come back to my original propositions which
is precisely this That any oppressed people who strive
TO change their Government whether the result of their
efforts De revolution rebellion, not guilty Of
moral turptude in the eyes of God That is my
proposition and that the prevalent opinion at the pre-
sent day otherwise you make crmnaty depend entire
~ upon the fact of resistance the laws and that would
include Washington and his copatrots and thousands of
others who have resisted the laws of the Government
der which they lived That is the point Now, my hon
orabe friend asks why the best sent out Of
France II they were not guilty Of moral turptude?
MI BADGER. / said such thing.
Mr. CASS. Then did not understand the gentleman
lie knows as well as do that they sent out by order
OF the individual who is controlling that Government
And yet young Lafayette and Lester and the best
OF france are guilty of moral turpitude.
Mr. BADGER. / did not say So
Mr. CASS. That is evidence Of moral turpitude--
their being sent out Of the country by the order of the
Government. 1t is simply act of power-nohing
Mr. BADGER. The honorable Senator certainly per-
ssts very strongly in misstating what have said.
know he does not design it.
Mr. CASS. Certainly not.
Mr.. BADGER. have said over and over again that /
have given such opinion upon this matter said that
Governments do not regard offenders against themselves
patriots influenced by high and lofty motives.
They look upon them criminals and therefore they
punish them accordingly That is what and all that
have said about the subject My argument is entirely
dependant upon the proposition that have stated and
restated, that if interfere in behalf of those whom
another Government deems worthy of punishment merely
because we think them patriotic and perfectly ustifabe
in their acts they may also interfere with the right
in the of here whom they may deem to have
been engaged in justfabe eorts-gorious spirits who
sought to destroy laws in obedience higher law
although deem them exceedingly criminal, and wish
commit them to the punishment That's all that
have urged.
Mr.. SHIELDS do not mean 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 Saturday last, have received letter
from gentleman whose views, in my opinion this SEN
ate will respect He is Southern gentleman, and per-
haps about sensitive in relation to Southern rights as
my friend from North Carolina, (Nlr. BADGER. will
say here that at time felt disposed to touch upon
this very point. We're / Southern man. would be
proud of it. 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 estopped from ex-
pressing my sympathy for the unfortunate and the free
and liberal everywhere because happened to be South
erner. But do not to touch upon that point now
Here is letter from highly cultivated Southern gen.
ueman--a Virginan-a gentleman who represented this
country at the Court of ST. James, And let say that
no man ever represented this country at that Court
any other Court who was sensitive upon this very
question Of the right of interference well recollect the
difficulty that occurred while he at that Court be-
tween him and very powerful of the time and
casion-Mr OConnellupon point then before them.
But will say nothing more about him now
will ask that the Secretary read this letter. because it
presents this matter orcby it be presented by
any one.
The letter then sent the Secretarys table and
read 1t from Hon. Andrew Stevenson and express
ed his approval of the resolution in relation to the Irish
exes and his appreciation of the views presented by Mr.
SHIELDS in his speech of Saturday last
Mr.. 8. then proceeded to say: take the liberty of
having this letter yead merely because this gentleman
who is well acquainted with diplomatic proprety,
to regard this resolution entirely harmless far
giving offence to the British Government is concerned.
lie is wen acquainted with the disposition of that Govern
ment and the condition of the English and Irish people
understand that some amendments offered be-
fore came into the Senate this morning by my friend
from New York, (Mr SEwARD.) l would like to have
them read.
The amendments were then read as follows:
Strike out in the fourth line, the word respectful and in
ert the word courteous Also same line strike out
the words firm conviction and insert the word opinion
And in the ninth and tenth lines strike the words
would regard this Of clemency insert the words
:" this act of cemency would be regarded"
Mr. SHIELDS think myself that the word cour-
teous is more appropriate word than respectful and
win accept that amendment. i also think the word
"opinon is better than the words firm conviction"
Indeed, / am willing to accept all the amendments
The PRESIDENT. The Senator cannot accept the
amendment this resolution is in the power of the
Senate The question must be taken upon them amend
ments to the amendment of the Senator from Illinois, Mr.
SHIELDs.l
The question then stated to be upon the amend
ments to the amendment.
Mr.. MASON listened with very great pleasure upon
former day the remarks Of the honorable Senator from
Illinois, mir SHELDs,) who stands here now believe
hmm data If
doubt that the interest which he takes in this subject be-
sides the general interest which him Anne
rican statesman is of character peculiar appropr
to himself And he has presented this resolution to
us, and sustained il in which, while it reflects
credit upon him statesman, does greater credit
to his heart.
But is my design at all to enter into the merits of
the question further than express my opinions of the
policy of it. 1t is of kindred character with
the that discussed yesterday by the honorable
Senator from Michigan (Bir CAss) 1t is measure
which commits this Government to step hereto
fore takeno interference direct Interference
the policy of foreign Governments II is in that light
alone that permitted, Senator from of the
States Of this Republic to look upon it and to consider it.
And, however freely may acknowledge that the most
deep sympahies of the American people are
with these men, who may Justly be called patriotic now
in exile from their Acknowledgements must ac-
knowledge that the sympathies of people with
them, yet feel bound to declare that this Government
forbidden from taking this step.
We have lately gentleman from abroad come |
here, selfconstituted mission to this country for the
purpose of unsettling policy in relation TO foreign
Governments. We have the countenance and sup
port that he has met with from Of every degree