Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-01-10

is worth something and could show that we had prece-
dents in good measure similar to the before
in the reception of Lafayette and Father Mathew but
what is it for which gentlemen ask precedent Why,
sir il is this: must not take good republican by the
hand because we have precedent for it. This sir with
due Difference TO gentlemen must say i SIMPLY ndeu
legislation all progress in civil political reform, and
even the friendly exchange of the common couresies Of
life be dsregarded because there is no precedent
for them? Sir is in politics is in the physical sci
enees in improvements in agriculture the mechanic
arts it is age of progress, IN which IN some things we
are leaving the old landmarks behind and striking out
new path Less than half century ago and there
precedent for steamboats, railroads or teeTaphs.
Now, sir have prednts in the palaces that hoat upon
the bosoms of rivers and plough the ocean in the
iron that hunders along mountains and valleys
and in the long wires which bear our thoughts and mes
sages faster than eagles fly Sir if there is no precedent
in the annals of Congress for rendering the Inequalities
of this nation to distinguished champion OF human
rights Louis kossuh then the sooner we have such
precedent the better The is the honor to us If we
shall be the first Congress to set such glorious precedent
But Kossuh is foreigner This sir, is no objection
with me- It is Justly our boast that is asylum for
the oppressed of every cline and long, long hope It
will continue to be. When the lone exile OF oppression
shall find other refuge, here sir in all time to come
may he find foothod Aconsderable portion OF the po-
pulaon of the district have the honor to represent
consists of Germans and SIR they distinguished for
their intelligence enterprise and public spirit but more
than this they distinguished for their ardent devotion
to our Government. They readily learn our language,
take an interest in schools and public works and
believe sir SOBER Industrious moral and patriotic
as our native American citizens Upon the great subject
of liberty humby trust that this House cannot hesitate
because Kossuh foreigner The true friends OF free
dom are united in the bonds of brotherhood throughout
the world and natural barriers, differences Of To-
cality of CLINE, country no ocean running between
should divide them.
Mr. Chairman this is a noble opportunity for the re-
of this great nation to testify to the world
their sympathy for nation struggling to be free it
should pass We should give to kossuth such well
come as worthy of his exalted worth OF his priyations
in the cause of freedom of his usrous services and OF
him of the greatest living orators OF the age ana
such n welcome is worthy of this great nation Ours
the greatest and frees nation the earth We have
attained fuller and more perfect development of the
democratic principle than any other people Then, sir
let welcome Kossuh in manner worthy of this
great land of free States and spreading millions of free
people, Let idle and inglorous fears of offending the
depots of Europe deter from the plain dictates of pa
rotic duty Let Kossuth feel that the simple unosten
atious welcome of this House is full reward for all his
services in behalf of oppressed humanity and that this
land with institutions based emphacaly upon the power
of the people, is indeed asylum for the oppressed
Let him feel that if he does not get and money and
armed intervention from Government, he gets what
is less potent for his cause.-The moral power of this
nation.
Mr. Chairman let not the representatives of the people
be behind the people themselves. rejoice sir, that,
standing in the Capitol Of my country for the first tme it
my prerogatve to speak for this resolution Let hail
Kossuth for himself only but for his cause the
elder Adams said of the Fourth of july with gratula
ton and joy, with bonfres and umnations." Welcome
should be inscribed upon the doors of the Capitol upon
the flag that floats above
Here the hammer fell
Mr.. GREY said that this debate had taken range and
latitude which him seemed strange and inappropriate
The simple question presented by the resolution of the
gentleman from Ohio MR. CARTTER) was as to the APP
pointment of a committee to introduce Mr. Kossuth to
House of Representatives Yet aperson entering the
hail. and ignorant of the true question before the House.
would suppose that the proposition under discussion
with Russia and direct Intervention in the
tween Hungary and Austria. The resolution presents
such issue. The question is simply whether shall now
repudiae carry the invitation heretofore tender
ed to Kossuh whether shall extend to him the
tsies TO which stand committed by the action of the
Executive and by past legislation In February last the
Secretary of State the officer charged with the manage
men of our foreign relations, had taken the initiative
and instructed Minister in Turkey open negoa
tons with the Turkish Government for the liberation of
Kossuth This proceeding of the National Executive had
been subsequently endorsed and by Congress
the resolution of March last instructng the p--~i,
send national vessel to bring kossuth TO tins country
President in his message informed Congress that
he had complied with their Instructions and that Kossuth
expected to arrive and he referred to their
sderaon the question of the of the reception
and treatment of this distinguished man. thus brought
this country by the order Of Congress Kossuth arrived
and the President Of the Untef States commander
in-chie Of the army and navy, had received him New
York as the nations guest with national salute. Con-
\ gress then adopted the following joint resolution
Resolred de- That the Congress Of the United States
the and behalf Of the people Of United States
to Louis Kosuth cordial welcome to the capital and TO the
u
! him by the President of the United States.
Where did this demonstration in favor Of Kossuth
ginate? Ii was not Democratic measure a Wing
measure but of the National Executive-of
the Secretary of State who controls the foreign affairs of
the country and who first suggested that should pass
joint resolution welcoming Louis Kossuth the capital
and the country.
In compliance with the invitation rendered him by Con-
gress in this joint resolution Kossuh presents himself in
this capital Now the plain question is, viii you recall
will you fulfil the invitation you have given him Are
You doubtful Of his worth and merits And had you
not the data by which Judge of his worth and
merits before you gave him this invitation now? My
colleague my right MR. EwrNG) fears that this tends
TO intervention in the affairs Of Europe and asks where
to stop? answer that the question of nterven-
ton non-interventon is before u.s. Ii will be time
enough decide that question when il arises The ques
ton presented and the only question: is shall we
fulfil the reasonable expectations created by pre-
vous actions Having invited Kossuth TO come TO the
capital shall receive him and treat him with courtesy
that he has accepted invitation And shall We
by doing, express sympathy for the progress of
liberal institutions and republcanism in Europe Of which
he is the representative? do not intend contribute
in any way TO involve my country in for the propa-
CATION Of the doctrines advocated by Kossuth Yet see
why should not give him and his cause the
moral influence OF countenance and sympathy by re-
ceving him with the civty and politeness due to our
serespect The law of nations does not forbid the
exercise Of such hospitality the expression Of
sympathes for this distinguished and the he
represents The despotic Powers Of the world combine
maintain and uphold their doctrines and why should we
hesitate give the moral influence Of sympathy to
the Of liberal and republican institutions
tend their representative the ciytes which
committed? To my colleagues, who differ from me