Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-02-16
SENATOR MASON,S REMARKS.


SENATOR MASON'S REMARKS.
In the Senate on Wednesday, after Mr.. Sew
ard had made his speech on the resolution rela-
tive to the Irish State prisoners, and Mr.. Badger
had expressed his dissent to the resolution, on
the ground that it was interference--it placed
the United States, if successful under obligations
to England, who might with propriety claim
in return the pardon of persons convicted
in the United States for treason OF other offences
such. for instance as the Christiana offenders
Mr. Mason of Virginia, rose and addressed the
Senate as follows:
listened with very great pleasure upon a for
mer daysto the remarks of the honorable sena-
tor from Illinois, Mr.. Shields,) who stands here
now, l believe, as the immediate patron of this
resolution. None can doubt that the interest
which he takes in this subject besides the gen.
eral interest which actuates him as an American
Statesman, is Oft character peculiar and appro-
pirate to himself And he has presented this
resolution to us, and sustained it in a man.
ner which while it reflects credit upon
him as a statesman, does even greater credit to
| his heart.
But it is not my design at all to enter into the
merits ofthis question, further than to express my
opinions of the policy oft Its measure ofkin-
| bred character with the one that was discussed
yesterday by the honorable Senator from Mich
| igan, Mr.. Cass. 1t is measure which COM
mits the Government to a step never heretofore
| taken-to an interference a direct interference
with the policy oftoreign Governments. 1t is
| in that light alone that am permitted, as a SEN
ator from one of the States of this republic, to
| look upon it and to consider it. And however
freely I may acknowledge that the most deep
and earnest sympathies of the American people
are with these men who may Justly be called pa
triotic, now in exile from their fatherland- how
ever we must acknowledge that the sympates
ofounpeople are with them, yet feel bound to
declare that this Government is forbidden from
taking this step.
| We have lately seena gentleman from abroad
come here, on sefeonstituted mission to this
country, for the purpose Of unsettling our policy
| In relation to foreign governments. We have
seen the countenance and support that he has
met with from men of every degree and every
station. We have seen the impression-I fear
| the deep impression-that he has made upon
| the feelings of a portion Of the American people
| "a regard to that policy. And we have Witness
| ed the fact that thousands have hung sympathiz-
ing listeners to him while he attempted to show
that our beloved Washington when he laid the
foundation of this policy deep and broad, was
when he told them thai, although he was aware
that our government was against a change in
that policy, yet, he was equally aware that the
people could control that government; and he
declared and avowed that he was here to induce
the American people to override their govern
ment-in what? Why, in the matter of poll
cy in relation to foreign nations, which has new
CT been departed from heretofore since the DAYS
it was laid down by Washington.
Mr.. President, [ heard itwith great and deep
regret when the Justly distinguished. senator
from Michigan, (NIr. Cass,) whose words a.
ways carry weight with them before the Amefi-
can people, told us so late as yesterday, that we
| need have no fear in taking the step which he
proposed-that it would not lead to war, but
that it would exercise moral and persuasive
influence upon nations abroad and he gave us
numerous instances where foreign governments
had expressed their opinions with regard to the
acts of others, and OF those opinions being car
ried into execution, and not disregardedb by them.
Sir, what were those foreign governments p
They We're governments of kings, of potentates,
and Of princes, who were acted upon by selfish
considerations alone, in what they suggested or
recommended to those who were around them.
What is our government A government of
the people. And is it to be believed, will it be
credited, that the American people, who WELD
this government, should declare purposes which
they do not mean to execute9
Sir, that very man to whom have alluded the
| Hungaran-avowedin one Of his public address
ses, that although it was not intended that the
| policy which he recommended should lead to
war, yet it would become the duty of the nation
which should express that policy, to maintain
its ground by fo-ee&if necessary.
| did not intend, Mr.. President, when arose.
to discuss these questions. They are kindred
questions however little allied in effect OF pur-
pose, they are kindred in their origin and will
Head to kindred results. 1t may become neces-
sary-I may feel it duty devolving upon me,
before the measure discussed on yesterday shall
be brought to final yote-to express my views
at large upon this subject. l mean more partic-
uiarly now to express to the Senator from Hi
nois Mr. Shields the feeling of regret with
which | am constrained to vote against the pro-
position he has so ably sustained. 1 shall feel it
to be my duty and it is with reluctance that |
shall do so, at once vote in the negative; but 1
should be better satisfied, feeling as do towards
the gentleman in whose behalf it originated, that
it should be laid upon the table, and if not unac-
ceptable to him, | now make that motion.
move that the resolution be laid upon the table,
Mr.. Mason subsequently withdrew the mo-
ton, to give an opportunity for other gentle
| men to express themselves, and without taking
| the question, the Senate adjourned.
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.