The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-29
THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION.
WEpsEsDAy, January %, 1852
SENATE.
IRISH ExILEs-lxTEncEssioS

Mr.. CASS said: | hold III my hAnd copy oil tue
resolutions adopted at one OF the most respectable
meetings ever assembled at Detroit, and at which
the Governor Of the State presided, on the subject
of the resolution pending before US, askin" the IN
tercesson Of this Government with that oil Eng
land TO obtain the release of Smith o. Bren and
the other exiied Irish patriots now suffering Tor po
htcal offences ia British penal colony III the
Southern ocean.
fully concur with the sentiments expressed in
these resolutions which think have been prepared
with good feeling aud good judgment, and IN the
measure il ID desired the Government should adopt
For my own part, see no political objections, no
lndelicacy even, in such a course; not OF lnterier
rnce in my view but of mercifu sug gestion-a just
tribute to the advancing opinions OF the age. How
much nobler 10 the friendly expression OF interest
and hope like this, conceived and communicated
in proper spirit of Difference and respect Tor ano
Their power, uian the angry remonstrancos which
crowd the pages OF diplomatic history IN every age
OF the world
Such proceeding ia an intercourse of good eli
ces honorable to the motives OF the country adopt
ing il and to the country receiving II, II received,
as | trust this would be, with the feelings OF conf
dence and regard which dictate our action, OF
course IL imposes no obligation upon either of the
parties though certainly lie favorable ssue could
not fail to strengthen the ties Of amity between
England and us.
The government Of that country well knows that
this is not where our application Is unCaicd
for or which originates in unworthy motives. II
knows well that very considerable portion Of our
lopulation is connected with Ireland, either by
OT
nected also by tls .Ies Of blood with these unor-
tunate exiles.
They sympaihize deeply, a. DO, indeed, the
whole American people, with the hafd ate olthcso
bani.hed pairots-a feeling ! have no di9D''
which prevails to a Considerable extent IN Eng
land and ono which animate. the English people,
and which they never fail to display when such
occurrences take place in other counires
It IL said, cir, that this proceeding will open the
way for similar applications and that Il - i'm
proper interference with another government, aud
IL has ALEC been fsa red that might be eubar.
raised hereafter by Ito very precedent applied to
ourselves which IL - nov sOught 20 cstablish.
Mr. President, great change has taken place
IN the opinions Of the world the subject Of pohti
deal offences. They nowhere carry with them re-
prosch shame They violate indeed existing lars,
bot they generally originate IN the most pfasewor
thy motives aud arc pursued at the hazard OF cN'ry
earthly good, 40 Washington and n host OF other
nlustrious men, In ancient aud IN modern c1ys,
pursued their patriotic enterprises.
Nothing more distinctly marks the improved
condiGon Of public feeling than tie abolition In
all constitutional governments Of those atrociDui
and revolving punishments, once incSorabiy iu-
hicted by power upon patriotism.
To fell and express COMMUNICATION for such
yictimsis now Acknowledged to be consistent With
every principle Of the most r,g.d morality. They
are recognized as being unfortunate, bat not
vicious Indeed, they often noble nieG, are
those whose case engage our attention, aud vLO
deserve the kind istcfest VI the world, both
from their motives RGd their character. and
low 20 which they have talieu. and iu
Consequence Of an elort made, not !Or thcmsc,yos,
bot for their CO Intry. It cannot hc-thcre D. not
the slightest danger Of it-that such national APP
location will ever be made Va any csse bot in one
like this which 10 far from moral guilt as limo
cencs ia from crime Let no one fear that this ~
ample will be used or abused for the purpose
0f IntermcddlinR with the ordinary criminal pro-
cesdings Of other powers.
The vicious will hud no COMMUNICATION for their
punshment. nor will any friendly hand be-
stretched forth Co all them. And even IN this
case, however much interest mi ght have lcfu
excited. IL would have probably led 60 no artion.
bad not IOund Justification ga tie circum-
ftah,.es ! have stated. There is, therefore. no
ground 10 apprchcnd that nations might become
eInbarfasse,. by suCh applications, or that they
would lead to Twill Or Misunderstanding. "A to
improper Interference, IL appears 10 me an entire
tni,constructon Of the term 70 apply u % a Gaze
like this u IL no, Interference at all it j. inter
sesson. IL u simple request, made from the
beet motives, in the best spirit add presented in
che mot unebcepti0uubie language snd % l,sSes
che BItsh government free ~ act ~ ONn plshsure,
without giving ne tbc slightest offence should the
result be unsuccessful. How such course can be-
construed into improper interference. Il paF-es tuy
powers OF comprebensiOh ~ perceive, AZ it Odd,
tao yeafs ago, 20 understand how the fcfusal
60 uske appropriation to maintain minis
ter At the Court of Vienna could be uuJustiG,
he interference with The Austrian government.
And after pulling myself Upon the subject tine
and again, am just az much ia the dark o. ever.
ylomatc question:, and not be too scusitive hs o.
the expression Of our sentiments under proper cir.
cJmstsnccs. Depend upon IT, or, We shall beet
preserve our own self respect by such course and
secure the respect Of the world.
II tbs request j. granted, IL would be- au not "a.
Rould produce most favorable effect upon the peo
ole OF this country. And % refused, az have said
tbere the matter would end, uuless indeed, ths
British government should lar forget what il
due TO tself and 70 10 give rude answer, not
justified by the circumstances nor the manner Of
The application.
have no belief, sir that such gfatuitous
folly " 1uld be committed aud, even IL Il were We
ehould hnf scrne means II not being left ia debt
upon the oct aston. National dignity is ~ good
thing but let pr not be cvcrlastin gly afraid that
ours il in danger AZ ~ the encouragement that
this step would give 10 similar applications by
other powers to us, " r-ts not occasion me the
slightest concern. Whcn su,b ouse occurs here,
and like interest is iclt tlseWheSe and from like
circumstance. and an iutercession Il made for
similar object aud in uneNceptiOnshlc language,
trust IL will be received in the beat feelings
and granted, too-uniess there are for stronger
objections TO the measure than there appear to be-
"a the present instance. If tlIcrc could DO any
fear, which am satisfied there would not be- Of
the re lease Of these banished sufferers, l',t ury
might aRBin become dangerous let them be sent t.
chs great asylum q the oppressed Of oil nA,ions,