The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-08

attaching to the law penalty for It's neglect,
and reward for It's fulhment.
II has already appeared that there is duty
resting upon US, unless, indeed, the act pro-
posed would involve an injury to some real in
terest Of our own. The question, then, is not
what shall we gain, but what shall we lose, by
the protest? The Senate chamber and the
country resound with alarms of war in reply to
this inquiry, and we are frightened with esti-
mates OF the boundless cost of the controversy,
and with pictqres OF lis calamites, fearful in
deed If we ara to be overborne, and still more
terrible II we shall come OIL conquerors. Sir,
need no warnings Of that kind. War is so in
congruous with the dictates of reason, so fero-
cous, 80 hazardous, and so demoral zing, that /
will always counsel trial of every other lawful
and honorable remedy for injustice, before n re-
sort to that extreme measure of redress and,
indeed, ! shall never counsel it except OH the
ground OF necessary defence.
But if war is to follow this protest, then it
must come in some way, and by the act of either
ourselves or our enemy. But the protest is
i not declaration, nor a menace, nor even a
pledge of war in any contingency. War, then,
will not come in that way nor by or in conse-
quence Of our ACT If war is nevertheless TO
come, it must come in retaliation of the protest.
and by the act OF Russia, or of Austria, or Of
Austria, or Of both. Assume now that it shall
so come, will it be just? The protest is a re-
monstrance addressed to the conscience of Rus
STA, and, passing beyond her, carries an appeal
TO the reason and justice of mankind. AS by
the municipal law, no remonstrance or COM
plant justifies blow, so by the law of nations
no remonstrance or complaint justiiies war;
The war then would be unjust, and 30 the pro-
test would be not cause, but n pretext But
nation that will declare war on a pretext, will
either fabricate one or declare war without any
Let no one say that ! misstate the character of
this measure. 1t is neither untried nor new.
Austria protested against the mission of Dudley
Mann, and President Taylor's avowal Of it. Did
we 60 to war? Did anybody think that we
ought or could go TO war for that? No we
made q counter protest by the celebrated letter
of the Secretary of State, Mr.. WEBSTER
Did Austria maintain her protest by declara-
ton OF war! No; we are at peace with Aus
tria yet, and hope we shall be so forever And
now, honorable senator's, | ask, il we are to
shrink from this duty through fear of unjust
retaliation, what duty shall we not shrink from
under the same motive? And what will be the
principle of our policy, when thus shrinking
from obligations, but fear instead Of duty?
! And who are we, and who are Austria and
Russia, that zoe should fear them when on the
defence against an unjust ware admit, and
hope all my countrymen will learn it without
trial, that we are not constituted for maintain
ing long, distant wars of conquest or Of agrees
sion. But in defensive war levied against us
on such pretext, the reason and the sympa-
thes of mankind would be our side, co. opera
ting with our own instincts of patriotism and
sef.preservation. Our enemies would be pow
erless to harm US. and we should be unconquer-
able.
| Why, then, ask, shall we refrain from the
protest? The answer comes up on all sides
Since, then, the measure is pacific, Russia will
disregard il, and so it will be useless. Well,
what ii il should? Ii will at least be harmless
But Russia will not disregard it. II is true that
we once nterpleaded between the beligerents
of Europe twenty-five years by protests and re.
monstsrances in defence Of our neutral rights,
and indicated them at last by resistance against
one party, and open, direct war against the
other. But all that is changed now Our flag
was then stranger on the seas, our principles
were then unknown. Now, both are regarded
with respect and affection by the people Of
Europe. And that people, too, are changed
They are no longer debased and hopeless of
freedom, but on the contrary, are waiting i'm
| patiently for it, and ready to second our ex.
pressions of interest in their cause. The Brit
ish nation is not without jealousy of u.s. Let
us only speak out DO you think that they
would be silent? No, sir. And when the
United States and Great Britain should once
speak, the notwithstanding bayonets of the
army of France, II need were, would open n
passage for the voice Of that impulsive and gen.
erous nation. Who believes that Russia, des-
potic as she Is, would brave the remonstra noes
OF these three great powers, sustained as they
would be by the voice OF Christendoml Sir, |
do not know that this protest will do Hungary
or European Democracy any good II is enough
for me that like our first of orators Mr.. WEI.
sTEgl in a similar case, can say, 81 hope il
may"
/ But il is replied that, If our protest shall be
disregarded, we must resort 10 war to maintain
il, and that Louis Kossuth has confessed so
much. shall not stay long on the bubble Of
the lawyers who claim TO have circumvented
the guest at the feast 10 which they had
hidden him. Ii was 80 that some Of old sought
TO entangle in constructions of their national
traditions the Great Teacher who came, not TO
dispute with DOCTORS but TO call men TO repent.
ance. This proceeding is mine, not that Of the
Hungarian Neopbyte in American politics. II
| is 10 be settled upon argument here, not on con-
cessions elsewhere. And now, sir, why must we
| 90 10 war 10 sustain our protests You may
say, because we should be dishonored by aban-
doning an interest solemny asserted. Sir,
those who oppose The protest are willing 10 for
sake the cause Of Hungary now. VIII il be
more dishonorable 10 relinquish IL after an earn
est effort, than 10 abandon Il without any effort
at all in its behalf! Sir, IL IL be mere honor
that is then 10 prick on LEI the timid give over
their fears. A really great, enlightened, and
Christian nation has just as much need 10 make
war on false point Of honor as a really great,
enlightened, and Christian man has need 10 en-.
| z. Ia. al. l..
and that is no necessity at all. Nor shall we be
reduced 10 the alternative Of war. II Hungary
shall never rise, there will be no eaSis belh. I'll
she shall rise, we shall have right 10 choose the
time when to recognise her as a nation, That
recognition, with lis political influence and com
mercial benefits will be adequate TO prevent or
counterbalance Russian intervention But am
answered. that we shall unnecessarily offend
powers whom il is unwise 10 provoke reply,
that IL Is not enough for a nation that il has no
enemies. japan and China are In that happy