The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-07
Vol. ILL.,.

Of affairs that continent upon its future destiny
however interesting such questions or inquiries
may be, that avail myselt of the privilege Of ad
dressing the Senate.
My purpose is ,U call the attention Of the Senate
ana OF the country, 30 far as may be able by my
humble voice, TO another question, 70 another and
lar different inquiry, suggested by the resolutions
under consideration, and fairly embraced within
their scope That inquiry is, how we to be af-
fected how is this continent TO be affected, how is
the New World to be affected by the recent
changes and present condition Of afTairs in he Old
4 Wordi How are American ideas and interests OF
! Government to be affected by European ideas and
institutional This consider the great American
question Of the times, and one which may well oc-
cupy the thoughts and attention Of the Senate and
OF the country. could only desire that the in
| qnry had an abler exposition than may hope to
be. And would that had an opportunity of
! going into the subject under circumstances less
| embarrassing and more proptous and favorable
70 hearing. regret. deplore, that have nei
ther the ability the favorable occasion for doing
justice to subject which appears to TO be one
OF the highest importance to the future condition
and fortunes Of this country
have said that the great American question Of
the day how is this country be affected by the
present condition Of Europe9
! What, then, ia the position of Europe at pre-.
sent in relation to the great principles and ques-
i tions connected with the organic forms OF gov
ernmenl Sir, propose briefly to sketch the
i cent changes and what consider to be the pres
cnt condition OF Europe in these important aspects.
You may remember, sir, that general tranquil
| lity and confidence in the established order of
/ things had reigned in Europe for a considerable
PERIOD when the sudden and unex pected overthrow
OF Louis Philippe, followed in rapid succession by
| popular and insurrectionary movements in Italy
! and the German States, in Austria and Hungary,
4 roused the world from its supneness. The stimuli
taneous movement of the liberals in many States,
and their partial successes, inspired the lovers OF
fre dom everywhere with hopes OF the most bene-
ficcnt results, and led to the greatest excitement;
but the public mind, with the rcceding tide Of
publican successes re gained its cumpos ure without
| ha M led tinn of affai
and The power Of the contending factions in
great country, still held the public mind in
pense, and all awaited the solution of French poll
tics; perceiving that upon that would depend, in no
small degree the future quiet of the continent That
solution came like clap of thunder to unexpect-
ing ears in the coup detat of the I'd of December
The excitement was now intense, and expectation
continued iptoe, until the question could be
solved which had clue in the knowledge or
conjecture of this country-whether the French
people, appealed to as they were with every cxter-
nal show OF freedom of choice, would condemn or
| approve the daring usurpation of Louis Napoleon.
While in this suspense, lo tidings came that seven
of the eight millions of the adult male population
OF France had approved and sanctioned the decree
which abolished the republic, and conhded to the
arbitrary will Of one man the power OF reconstruct
ing their government Ihirty-six millions OF free
| men thus voluntarily surrendered their liberty,
and gave their powerful sanction TO the creed that
popular sovereignty was not safe element in the
organic form OF government
II the event OF the I'd of December start
ling, these last tidings absolutely astounding;
and mems minds were set to work to account for
the strange and unexpected fesult-scarcely yet
doubling that the next arrival OF a steamer from
abroad would bring accounts OF a spontaneous and
successful uprising of the partisans Of freedom in
France, which had hurled the daring usurper from
power. But, astonishing were the events have
just rccountod, the fact-the most amazing TO me
at the time Of all that have transpred since the
expulsion Of Louis Philippe from his throne-re-
mains yet to be stated. Contemporancously with
the first report of the event Of the I'd of December
| reached ney
the time, little credited, that the move
ment of I-ouia Napoleon would only be
cessfui, but that the peace Of France and of Eu
rope would be rather consolidated than disturbed
by its success! And now, after four month"; after
more than n hundred days have passed, fresh
suranocs reach US from many reliable sources TO
the same effect, that il would seem a species Of
madness any longer to resist absolute conviction
that pointassurances the more incredible from the
first, when we consider that they we're accompa-
med by advices that the King of Prussia, follow
ing the lead Of France and Austria, proceed
ing as fast as be burst 10 remodel the constitution
oi his government upon a bnsis which excluded
every vcstige Of republicanisn.
Whal, then, sfr, Is now the recognised and we'll
understood posi- ion OF the nations OF Eutope-the
cradle and stl the great nurscry of modern ciyili'
zation-in regard 10 popular rights aud free gov
ernment! Let facts speak the answer. II what VIC
hear be true Ut Prussia then the four great powers
Of the continent are modelling their governments
upon the basic OF absolutsm-upon the theory that
popular sovereignty or popular control 10 any ex
tent in the affairs Of government, directly by
representative assemblies, is incompatible with
peace and order, and utterly eubversive of the Sc
curiiies md blessings OF civil society. Sir,
orGer Of thngs has arisen which DEGREES the aboli
ton OF the very symbols OF liberty. Every mona
incit OF the transient existence OF former repub-
lics--every inscription, every incmento Of former
trcedom-is to be razed TO its foundations, ofiaccd
and obiiteraed, so that no shall remain, no
tradition be allowed to GO down TO postcriy OF the
time when republican forms had found foothold
in Europe
} Thus, sir the great aud imposing fact starcs
in the face, that the continent Of Europe has re-
vcred 10 the old ideas Of monarchy and abso
!utisrn, and liberty cs PROSTATE. discarded, and
dishonorcd.
Aud what, repeat, as still more surprising, is,
that the opiaion prevails, founded upon the mOst
reliable sources OF information the entire
tile class, the stock market, the great capitalists
upon the London Exchange and the Paris BOurs +.
the money kings, who have their Argus eyes fixed
upon every part Of the continent, and their secret
agents IN every csbinct-not only that republican,
lem IL down, but that there will be no further com.
motion, no war, and that this state of things is per-
inanent in Europe!
Can this be truc, Mr.. President? Can IL be trne
that the spirit .. liberty is extinct in Europe or,
II existing at all, feeble, exhausted, dead,
az 70 give no signs Of future awakcniDg--no pro
mise Of an early rcsurrcc ton and this too, in The
middle Of the nineteenth century, and among the
most civilized people o the earth this too. in the
full and meridian blaze Of science, moral and ply.
sical- In an age which has been emphaticay nd
universally proclaimed aud recognised as the age
Of progress, to dstiDgn nish il from all antcccdont
ages and generations Of the world Sir, a. such
time as THE, in such age this, among pco-
pic so civilized, 90 affirm that order and con-
oiton OF things has sriScn which rejects and rcpu
diatcs the idea of popular rights sovereignty
Incompatible with the ends VI society, and that this
state 81 things s permanent or affirm that rcpub
| licansn 10 ,6de-iast becoming an obsolete icca
that it's ncrIs have been weighed in tho balance
aud found wanting that the handwriting has ap-
pcarcd upon tic wall, announcing conhsc cauJn
4 and oansbment 20 the parisans ofircedom Why,
i | wonder that some gentlemen do not Start from
| tneir seats in this chamber upon the announce
inent OF so stupendous fact upon any credible au.
thority; and yet the authority s the highest known
| III tho range Of human testimony.
And ,bs is the advancing spirit Of the age: this
the dtnou,ment. the final result of sixty years of
revolution, of agony. and OF blood in the cause Of
| liberty In Europel
Bot ctn II be true that tbs cause Of republican.
ism 10 lost is rretricvable in Europe? have
! given you the testimony OF the stock market and
the mercantile classes. ! will now give you, il
possible sl moro reiiabe authority--tlc official
| aud public declaration Of tho late ministry Of
! t.rea nftf " rea bv he 4