The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-12

doubleday lend favorable ear TO the appeal, pro-
vided assurances are given that the parties will
come TO the United States He moved a reference
of the memorial to the Committee on Foreign Re-
latons.
Mr. BADGER suggested that as the petitioners
represented that there was error in the Judgments
OF the Russian courts, perhaps il would be better
to refer this subject to the Committee on the Judi
ciary, with instructions to inquire into the expcd
ency Of providing for wrs of error 10 bring these
judgments up 10 the Supreme Court.
Mr. UNDERWOOD accedcd TO the suggestion.
Mr.. BUTLER objected to the reference to the
Committee on the Judiciary,
On motion Of MIR MASON, the petition was laid
on the table.
EAGLE STEAMBOAT COMPANY.
MIR. GwIN reported a bill to charter the Eagle
Steamboat Company OF Washington.
chip KATE NAPIER.
Mr.. SEWARD reported bill granting new
register to the vessel Obsd Mitchell, now called the
Kate Napier; which was considered aud ordered to
third reading.
UNITED STATES COURTS IN ALABAMA.
MIR. CLEMENS introduc ed a bill changing the
time for holding the United Statcs courts in Ala
bama and II was considered, aud ordered to
third reading
THE K1ILEs.
The Senate then proceeded TO the consideration Of
the joint resolution expressive of the sympathy OF
the United States for Smith O'Brien, Meegher, and
others.
Mr.. SEWARD said: This proceeding was neither
which requires the assent of both Houses Of Con
gress, aud the approval of the President Of the
United States. Thus il becomes national act II
recommends clemenoy 10 the Irish patriots impri-
sCned in Van Deman's Land and Is designed for
the information of Great Britain, and TO influence
her conduct. IL Ia therefore an appeal, national
appeal. to the agnanimity OF that power.
He thong the act grounds OF abstract
justice, and upon due considerations OF the relations
of all the parties concerned; and he submitted that
IT 10 not altogether novel In principle and charac
ter. The patriots in the penal colony are sufiern
for effort honestly made 10 restore their father
land to freedom and independence The sympa
thy OF the people of the United States for them
springs from the Same source with the sympathy
which this country has habitually unaffected on
similar occasions-towards revolutionary France,
IN 1893, In 1880, and In lsi-; towards the rising
9ih American republics; towards Greece, POLAND,
psany, Germany, and Hun gary> Even in iorp the
United States IN behalf OF Louis Kossuth and his
companions when in exile in Asia Minor.
The intcrest expressed by this resolution in Will
liam Smith o Brien is not merely personal 1t is
The reverenual compassion Of free and generous
people Tor fallen nation in q man comprised"
The merits Of a nations depends on the
Character OF that nations entire life. So the dsca.
ration oil American independence reviews the whole
colonial experience in yindioating the Sbjuration
OF allegiance 10 the British throne
len centuries ago Ireland a distinct sover.
eign power. with adequate national elements and
forces. Ireland was guilty Of one enduring crime
mat crime was proximity TO the British shore
ireland, moreover, had one great misfortune. She
hao remained many centurits un-onquercd aud
unconquereble. Her crime provoked English Gu.
pidity. Her misfortune, producing endless diyi.
sions INTO septs and clans invited the invader
England, on the contrary, had been succossiyely
su9Jugatod by the Romans. the Dance, the Ssxons,
and the Norinans, and had acquired in that rough
experience the consolidation and the dscipli ne
which, combined with the energy resulting from
mixture Of races and the ambition inspired by an
insular position have enabled her almost TO "hayc
the world IN empire"
He then detailed tho events which took place
under the reign Of Henry the Second, and all
thoso which followed that fret invasion of Ire.
land by the English the introduction ola different
fehgion, and the stringent penal code established
Tor its maintenance and propagation
ne quoted Burke's almost prophetic description
Of that penal code. cit is" ssid Burke, a sys
TEN fuil Of Conference and constituency well-di
Resied and we-dispOsed in all its parts; a machine
OF wise and elaborate contriyance, we'll fitted for
the Impeachment and degradation Of a people
self"
After dwelling upon the rebellion Of 'gs and ib,
acb oi O'Brien and hI- compeors, be turned he
attention TO the objections which might be, and
had been, urged against this resolution and said
that this question involves the po,itiOns and rela
bons oil the respective parties concerned Tho
people Of Ireland are affiliated 20 us bv CONAN.
gulniiy, az we arc 10 the people Of Great Britain
surely the younger may, without offence, offer it,
mediation upon point Of difference between TIC
ddD branches Of a common family
And What II Great Britain should take ofT,nc,y
We no longer stand in ave Of her frown, aud she
knows that right well. II shc should rcpu,.c Lc.
nevolcnt and lawful suggestion, Why. then, -hc
would be in the wrong and would be igstifisd
But Great Britain will not take offence. H,r
dignity and glory are too well assured 30 need d
be sustained by an Alteration Of n reserve Of
wounded sensibility.
Nor will Great Britain refuse the loon We PRO.
pose TO ask She knows that all needless rgor 81
lowe - as uuwisc as Il is unjust. She knows that
IN Ireland scdtiOn profoundly slocps. If il be not
- the Senator from Illinois supposes, dead. 81,
Clftugugy " IL al
she knows the virtues OF mhgnnnmty, and ID.
henthts that il practice brings. She will thank
us Tor the suggestion to act IN such csse hor
own great principle.
Pacus s1geotis d.Jtilaye sup,Jo,.
Vie then saId that DO would vote for tie rcsglu-
ton as amended. or for the original resolution or
Tor one stronger in its language.
Mr. BADGER sad that be could not persuade
hinstb That Congress ought to pass this rcE0lu.
uOu IN any one II the fyrms proposed, o. in any
i'im ~ winch i could BE- placed. II any thing
could have induced him t. vote Tor IT, the speech
delivered on Saturday by tho Senator from Illinois
would have bad that elect. No matter what bjs /
feelings for other people and races Of the would /
were. he must prefer his own people and his o. N
country 10 all others THE proposition wac that t.
United States ntcrcede that the itish Queen
would extend her clcmcncy and pardon these gen |
ilemcn. He did not think u safe Or prudent for
the United States 70 set any such precedent
Tho Senator from Mic higan had suggested sou,
reasons Why nothings~ns 10 be feared from the -
iabh-hment Of such a precedent. The reason
given by The Senator were not well founded.
That Senator bad also taken the position that 70. |
hucal offences were no longer considered az en-. !
bracing moral turpitude. lie referred 10 another 1
part Ol that Senator's speech wherein il yas sid
that this was not interference. Mr. v held that the
passage Of this resolution was interference Inter
ccssiOn was interference, not offensive il wac true
bot still 1t was interference. lie who mercedes /
between = sovereign and his subject, who has been /
convicted Of crime, does interfere. Interference
however, wac not always interccssion lie could /
conceive OF cases where political offences were not .
attended with any moral guilt but did not admit
II as a general principle. The Senator thinks and .
doubtless was correct, that these parties were men
whose offence was not stained with any moral /
guilt, and therefore be interccdes for them. But /