The republic., 1852-01-09
ton ia really independent only when IT proves by
fact to make good the word OF the poet;
"Come the three corners Of the world in arms,
nd we will ahock them,p

And we will shock them"
The victory of New Orleans was proof Of it,
was ibo period Of demonstrative passive vitality
And the nrocecs of life went on. The next natu
raj period was to demonstrate your vitality. That
WAS demonstrated by the war against Mexico.
II the history of New Orleans was the period
demonstrating the security Of your national e1- e
istence the victorious against Mexico was the
period demonstrating not only that nobody can
dare to attack your existence, but that also your
natural interests must be respected, and nobody
can dare to oppose them. -.
The period of active vitality is accomplished.
Now. one period there remains yet TO achieve
that to take your seat not amongst the n0''ons VI
the carth-because that you have since the DAY o'
What ia the meaning OF that word "power on
carth?' The meaning Of 1t 10, to have, not only
the power to guard your own particular interests
but also to have vote 10 me aSguihH.SUn VI ano
an independent meInbcr-ip u word, to become
tribunal controlling the maintenance OF the law OF
nations, precisely as your Supreme Court controls
the maintenance OF your own Constitution and
laws. And, indeed. all logic of Craftsmanship, all
philosophy of history would be vain, ii were mis-
taken that your great nation ia arrived at this un
avoidable period OF tho natural process OF your
The sympathy which meet with in your glori
Gus land, the very toast you are pleased to honor
me with. the principles you expressed, are high
ly significant demonstration Of ,the truth Of this
statement of mine. Indeed. gentlemen. what is
the explanatory key of this rapid progress OF the
manifestation of public opinion in respect to
those principles of international Law which plead
awkwardy perhaps, but certainly with sincerity!
10 il my bad English stammering, which am In
deed ashamed for, and must feel happy If am
not laughed at for il! Is il this miserable frame,
marked with the :ad stamp OF misfortune ano 'oii'
tive lAnd--thc more deserving the sympathy oi
generous hearts, A. - in intimate relation with the
future destinies Of Europs7 Oh no, gentlemen;
all this cnu haye confris~i ~ an opportunity TO
chs III existing cf; bod il neitiicr
has created the fact, nor is the explanatory key oi
it's existence. The key of it is that circumstance,
that when a nation arrives, in the process OF ma
tonal life to the period Of power on earth, then
the question Of foreign relations, regulated by In
ternational law, becomes the pre- eminent topic OF
public attention and public consideration. 1t ID
the necessity of the situahon-a necessary pecu-
lary Of that period in the national process OF life
when nation is about to become power on earth
And in this respect, gentlemen, the Instinct OF
the people is in the life ot nation, prcciseIy that
which conscience is in the life of man. Before
we in our private life arrive to clear conviction
Of what course we have to adopt IN whatever oc-
currency, the conscience-that incxplicable spirit
in our brcast--te5 US in a puisation OF our
heart what is right what wrong. And this
first pusa.ion of conscience is always right Then
comes the reflective operation OF the mlndi II
now and then lula conscience to sleeps now
and then modifes particulars; and now and then
raises it to the degree Of conviction. But con-
science was in advance OF the mind; and IT Is
always right, because it never sirs without reason
never without necessity. So is the instinct OF the
people, this conscience Of nations. Not the high
est intellectual power of any individuality can feel
offended at the idea that the instinct OF the people
is always the fret feel the right and wrong Ii is
the pusaton Of the heart Of the nation; it s the ad-
vertisement of conscience, which never heaves With
out reason, without necessity. And this reason
and this necessity rest within the glorious position
of your country to have grown, not as monarchies
do, with the top of the pyramid fixed as the foun-
daon of it, but upon the broad basis OF democratic
liberty and republican principles TO the mighty
pyramid Of power on earth powerful enough to
support like a second Atas, the great vault OF
the eternal laws Of nature and Of natures God
No indeed. entiemen, it is not my humble pres
ence here which Elected that majestic interest for
national law and international rights. No; my
very being here is but consequence of the pre-
existence of this intere%. Ii has raised glorious
Interpreters. During the reece, when,
indeed, was yet too young to be in public life 1t
flashed up, kindlcd ut the magnetic spark OF Po-
lands heroic struggles; and it bazed high and
broad when were fighting the sacred battle Of
independence for the European continent Had
this interest and sympathy not existed long ago,
were not now here. My very freedom is the result
OF it.
And may be permitted to mention that there
were several concerns quite unconnected with the
Causc Of Hungary, which have much contributed
to direct public opinion to feel interested In the
question OF foreign policy. 30 naturally connected
with the question-what is internationallaw!
Your relations with Mexico and Central Ame
rica the threatened intervention ot European
powers IN possible issue OF a recent case which
brought SO much mourning into many families IN
The United States; the question about the Sand.
witch Islands, which European diplomacy appeared
to contemplate appropriate barrier to be
raised between your Pacific States and the Indian
and Chinese trade; the sad fate OF an American
citizen condemned to the galleys in Africa
and several other considerations of pressing con-
Germs, must necessarily have contributed TO excite
the interest Of public opinion for the settlement o
the question-what is, and what shal be law
amongst nationsS Law, not dictated by the whifns
of nIub IN founded
principles, such republics can acknowledge
living aud existing themselves upon principles
Your history was 80 much book oi NE 70 me
as not to be aware Of this operation in the public
mind of the United States. j knew before my
coming hitber that the question OF what shall be
law amongst nations nightly interested public
opinion here. I knew that the opinion was not
only advanced by individuals. but agitated as a
political doctrine appropriate TO the broad princi-
pies upon which your Republic stands. ] mean
ihat doctrine that every nation OF the world has
right TO stand by itsclf, and regulate is own gov
ernment, lie own domestic concerns, and that in
dividuals not bound 20 the dcspot under whose
flag they may have had the misfortune to have
been born. ! knew That this second part Of the
qucstion-vhst il international law-wont even 90
far to enter into the cnuses OF that already
which decided by the victory Of New Orleans,
and knew that the former part OF the queston-tho
national, as / would call it's brought home TO
public decision in the United States by being
rived in the process of national life, TO the very pc
nod Of power on earth, besides the urgency oi
many particular concerns.
The cause Of Hungary, 80 intimately connected
with the destines Of Europe, in which your ooun-
try in many respects is concerned-that cause
OF Hungary happened 10 lay within the scope o
principles Of International law occupying not on y
the instinct of the people, but also the calm refec-
ton OF your ststesincn conspicuous by mature
wisdom and patriotism. And herein ia the key
besides the generosity congenial TO free man
that the cause in which plead is honored with &C
rapid progress Of public sentiment.
Now, az 10 those principles. Gentlemen, ], OF
course, can have nothing TO do with whatever nte-
rior question party movements in tho United
States and even shouid any ono lof which am
not swsre) have tho desire 10 make political cap
ttal-ss II h termed here-out Of myscf, trust tha
will not be laid 90 my charge, having nothing "a
do with IL. indeed must bumbly entroat not &c
be identified with certain foreign gentleman,
i'm the United States Is well myself My
position gentlemen il, humbly aud thankfully, tc
acknowledge sympathy and sopport, wherever
am honorcd with it, without identifying myselt
with whatever question, which is not my business
nj all And must be permitted 10 express my
particular gratitude that you-tbough political
association, bearing the character OF n disiinc,
party in relation 60 your domestic concerns
were pleased 20 have the generous deli acy Of offer
ing me tne bersht OF your principal support and
the consolation of your sympathy, without placing
in any difficulty inconsistent nj VI nv nositor