The southern press., 1852-01-05


negotiations TO the Senate chamber, and alarmed
Messrs. Dawson and Underwood with al. sorts of
horrible hobgoblins. He 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 ic"corps"
Now, sir, there is not one word of truth in it,
80 far as am concerned. No such confabula-
ton ever took place no such interview ever
occurred, on the floor of the Senate or elsewhere
1t is amentable that letter or others will
stuff the Journals of the country with lies derog-
atory to 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 it my duty to notice them
here, BECAUSE sir, it is utterly useless to enter
into war with an editor who has an arsenal in
bis hands, when you have not
Mr.. DAWSON. | would not have referred
to this subject; but as my friend from Kentucky
has alluded to il, will only take occasion to saw
the statement which he has read to US ia not true
AS to the conclave Of which that writer speaks,
have no knowledge of it. Mr. Bodisco NAV
have been here, and may have been in conver.
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
day, or upon the day before delivered nv
views to tho Senate. As the Senator FROM
Kentucky says, there is certainly a misrepre-
sentation and it may be that the writer may
have mist ken the man whom he supposed to be
convesng with Mr. Bodsco
Mr.. DAVIS. l do not think it a matter of
great consideration what disposition is made Of
this petition or memorial, But / concur with
the remarks thrown out by some gentlemen,
that the time has arrived when it is, perhaps.
expedisnt that there should be some discussion
upon this subject, and perhaps some action by
the Senate upon it, hope, when it does come,
it will be deliberate in its character and Ihope
so because think there is some misapprehen-
sion OF tho nature and character of many propo-
stlons 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, popular liberty, NAV
be created aud 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 delusive 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 1t is an utter impossibility,
Mr. President unless the public mind has been
previously imbued with some Just conception of
public liberty, and the means of maintaining it.
We saw the revolution in Europe in l848. We
s..w 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 absolutism it fell by it's
own unsustained weight. But what do we see
now! If there had been in Europe the requi.
off u,io md thafi nf 81;
which hope, and have every reason to believe
obtained throughout our own land, then was the
time and then the opportunity, which every
lover OF popular liberty might have embraced,
to construct free 2overnm nts. Then they
might have built up free institutions, and estab-
ished them permanently. But sir is it not OBJ
vious that the wisdom to reconstruct was def
cient? There was not the mental discipline
which prepares the public mind to act with har-
mony; there was not the comprehensive views
of this subject which are indispensable to build
up and to sustain a free government after they
had prostrated the absolutisms which had preyi-
ously existed. All Iwish to say at this time ia,
that it is lamentable that it is SO. No one can
deplore it more than do
But may we not learn from facts of this sort
a lesson which is of some importance to us
Suppose that instead of these thrones crumb-
had been prostrated by war-that they had
been overturned by the sworl and the bayonet-
would these people in that case have been any
better prepared to build up free institutions and
to sustain them! No, sir, popular liberty ripens
like fruit upon the tree. 1t is in vain to attempt
to hasten it, except by moral and pacific means.
And, sir, give me leave to say that, whenever
force and violence intelfe for purpose or with
u view of this sort, no matter how patriotic the
feeling may be, and however strong the desire
for the enjoyment of popular liberty, it ordina-
rly ends in swinging from one form of despot-
ism into another
Do you not see that in France now? How
long is it since the constitution which was de-
liberately adopted there has been overturned and
prostrated in the dust in single night? And
the President, having abolished the legislature,
is now attempting 10 re establish the empire as
it existed in the days of his ancestors. Then,
let 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
alone can build up free institutions There
must be preparation in the public mind for
such an issue and such an event. The popula-
ton must have the requisite intelligence They
must have the just views wi ch belong to this
subject, in order to enable them to execute a
purpose of this sort. And if they have them,
all your violence is moi only wasted-it not only
goes to no just, and good, and efficient pur-
pose--but it does positive injury.
hope this subject will be discussed hope
it will be examined; and | hope the country
will in the end come to some just and proper
decision upon it, that the policy of the govern
ment which has hitherto sustained us may be
vndcated. / do not stand here to say that no
case arise in which intervention may be
proper Very far from it. can understand
that cases may arise when it becomes the appro-
pirate remedy, if not the only remedy When
that day comes-and that come it may is GER
tainly more than probable-when that day
comes, when the great issue so much talked
of-the issue between absolute government and
free government-is to be met, we know where
we shall ali be. We understand which part
we shall espouse in this matter. Bat, sir, that
day will come fast enough of itself, without our
undertaking to hasten it. There will be no.
thing gained by undertaking to hasten it by means
of violence. On the contrary, much mischief, |
think, will be accomplished by such course,
as We may provoke the very spirit which we
deprecate. But do not wish to 20 into this
,f 70 I thn -