The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-01-06
DEFERRED DEBATE
In SENATE, January 2, 1862
NoN.MrERcouRsg WITH FRANCE.

Ind Istrial Congress of the city Of New York
asking the recall of the United States minister
to France, and the suspension of all diplomatic
intercourse with that government Mr.. w. said
desire that this memorial may be read dc
not know whether it will 90 into the public
journals of the day or not, but it is the desire OF
the memoralists that it should do 40
The memorial was read by the Clerk as fol-
lows:
TO the Senate and House of Representatives o.
The United States IN Congress assembled:
The Industrial Congress of the city of New
! York, in view of the late tyrannical and unpar-
donable conduct Of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte,
President of the French republic respectfully pray
your honorable bodies Immediately to recall Hon.
| VIM. Q. Rives, your minister to France, and the
| suspension on the part of our government of all
diplomatic and commercial relations with that
power
The Industrial Congress- is not nsensible of the
importance and responsibility that would naturally
attach to the assuming OF the position herein
recommended. 1t well knows the fact, however,
that the United States government was the first
to acknowledge the republic Of France. This
recognition was manifested on the ground that the
people OF that unfortunate nation had become
| wearied Of the form of government under which
| they so long had lived, and had risen in their
majesty and established democratic government
| Louis Napoleon Bonaparte--he whom the
French people had honored with their confidence,
and elevated to the presidency Of the republic
has proved treacherous to the trust reposed in
him. He has violated and trampled under foot
the constitution he had soemnly sworn to sup
port, and has in various ways proved recreant to
his duty, and thrice recreant to humanity
Under these circumstances, the Industrial Cen
gress esteem it not only proper, but necessary
and right, that our government should enter its
sternest protest against the hagitous tyranny of
the usurper Napoleon.
In behalf of the Industrial Congress:
II. A. GUILD, Secretary.
The reading of the memorial having been fin.
ished, Mr. WALKER moved to refer it to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. MANGUM. Dir. President, I move that
it lie upon the table. 1t contains principles d.
rectly the reserve of the entire policy of our
government.
Mr.. MASON. VIII the honorable Senator
withdraw that motion! | will renew it if he
desires it.
Mr.. MANGUM. | withdraw the motion.
Mr.. MASON. Mr.. President, understand
that to be memorial sent to us from society
called the Industrial Congress of New York;
society which | certainly know nothing about
except from swspaper reports-asking that
this government on account of revolution
changing the form of government in France,
that government II does seem 10 me like dis
&C urtesy to recommend to us such measurs
Mr. President this ia precisely of the same
type OF which we have recently had various i'm
pressions from the same quarter. Sir, had in
tended to oppose any reference. | did not
know what disposition the honorable gentleman
who presented the memorial might deem pro-
per; but had intended, with no disrespect to
him, but from a conviction that il was not a
proper subject 10 come before this body, To op.
pose its reference. If il gors to the Committee
on Foreign Relations, they can only express
one view of the matter-that il is subject they
have nothing to do with; and believe il is the
duty of the Senate to refuse a referen e, and
thus show that we have no di,po ,ition 10 enter
tain any proposition Of that kind now renew
tie mt ton TO lay it upon the table.
Mr.. DAWSON will the honorable gentle
man withdraw that motionl
Mr.. MASON withdraw Il, sir.
Mr.. DAWSON Mr.. President, this ques.
/ lion is now fairly presented to the Senate : and
if il be desirable upon the part Of any member
of this body TO make this issue before the Amer.
lean people, there is no time better than the pre-
sent. II ~ are TO change the foreign policy OF
the government at this time, let us do Il and If
we determine not to do so, let il be announced
at once. And what committee is more sppro-
| pirate to consider this matter than the Commit.
tee on Foreign Relations! Now, sir, | am ex-
ceedingly anxious that this issue should be
formed and if il be desirable, let the question
be discussed, and 90 before the American beo.
pie, and let them decide-et il be determined
whethtr they shall take part in foreign wars of
all other countries, or whether we shall abide
by the principles which have been established
from the foundation Of the government. trust
that n report will be made, and that the question
will be discussed and, for that reason, desire
that the memorial should not be laid upon the
table.
Mr.. WALKER. Mr. President, regret ex-
ceedingly that the introduction Of this memorial
at this time should cause discussion. | certainly
introduced il without the least expectation or
desire that such should be the case perhaps,
sir, know more Of the association from whence
! this memorial comes than most Of the senators
upon this floor. It is constituted of class of
men to whomfespect should be sho yn-that is,
If any respect should be shown in the republic
Of the United States to what constitutes the
! laboring and mechanical portion Of the country.
This association, sir, termed the Industrial Con-
gress of New York, is composed o. that class
OF men, not all Of them, however, nt present
dependent upon their daily labor for support
for some Of them have made their fortunes and
retired from active ife but believe, Mr.. Pres.
ideni, that they are, most Of them, "a good re-
pubicans as any who sit or stand upon this floor.
and should regret most exceedingly 10 see any
disrespect shown to their memorial moved
its reference to the Committee on Foreign Re.
latons and did so with similar feeling TO that
which has been EXPIRE -sed by the Senator from
Georgia, Mr.. DAWSON, that the subject of our
conduct and policy towards foreign governments
is one that is now agitating this country 10
considerable extent We already have this sub.
/ ect before Congress, and we cannot keep il out.
We must consderit itis one of those questions
that will come before Us and this Is a great
! question Of time, to be settled by us when il
shall be met | think, sir, as the honorable
/ Senator from Georgia has expressed It, that the
present is as good time as any we shall ever
see to settle this matter; and no committee is
better qualified to throw light upon this subject
than the Committee on Foreign Relations.
am grateful TO him for his concurrence with my
motion TO refer this memorial, and hope il will