Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-02-14
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
SPEECH 'JF Mr., CLARKE,
OF RHoDE asLAND,
ON THE SUB, [ECT OF INTER VENTION

OF RnoDE fSLAND,
ON THE SUB <ECT OF INTER VENTION.
ms <xArE, FeBRUARY 8, 1852
The Senate no ring proceeded the consideration Of the
following reso sions submitted by Mr.. CLARKE ON the
18th ultim0, h..
Rssoasea phatsngress recognises and reairms these
nahiest VI ~ "Thatovernmens are instituted among men
% secure ne analisnsbe rights Of life liberty and the pur
SUIT Of srness deriving their just powers from the con-
sent OF iepeyened whenever form Of government
becomes obstructive Of these ends it is the right Of the
pie to alter abolish it, and TO institute new Govern
ment iayng upon such principles and organic
ing As powers in such to them shall seem most likely
70 Afstt theirsR and happiness"
rss rsas % and also as
T sovereignty tho right to be exempt fom the coercion con-
mSr .s we conesde to others the same measure Of right
Ksss Ss Il i upon thc sacred principle of indspendet
sovereignty that rccogniso In intercourse With other
nations, doverments Jaco without paurng by what
hey have been established in what manner they ex
RssSced That this Government has sofemnly adopted and
will rersevcrngy adhere TO- as principle Of International
action the advice given by Washington in his Farewell Ad
Observe good faith and justice towards all nations
cultivate peace and harmony with ALL Give to mankind
the magnanmous and novel example OF people always
guided by an exalted justice and Sympathy
for favorte nation betrays itself into participation In the
and wars adequate
the jealousy Of free people ought to be constantly awake for
foreign influence is the most baneu foe of republican Govern
men The rule Of conduct for us in regard to foreign
nations is in extending commercial relations to have with
themas little political connexion possible "Why quit our
upon foreign ground? Why by Intervening
destiny with that of any part of Europe entange
peace and prosperity in the tolls Of European ambition rival
ship, interest humor, or caprice =
Rsoired That while cherish the yeliest sympathy to-
wards all who strive for freedom ofopnon and for free nstitu
ons yet recognise our true policy in the great
principles given by Jefferson Equal and exact JUS
tice to all of whatever state persuasion religious
political peace, and honest friendship with all
tions, entangng alliances with none."
Reolred That although adhere to these essential prin
cples of as forming the true and lasting
foundation Of prosperity and happiness yet whenever
provdent foresight shall that liberties and
institutions threatened then just regard to safety
VIII require US W W ne oni1s iane a 'n
approach Of the foes of constitutional freedom and OF human
liberty.
To which resolutions Mr. SEWARD had offered an amend
ment proposing strike out all after the word Resolr
and insert the following:
Resolved That while the United States consideration
the exigences of society," habuay recognise Governments de
aco in other States yet that they nevertheless by
Indifferent when such Government is established
against the of people by usupaton by armed
Intervention Of foreign States nations
Resoired That considering that the people of Hungary in
the exercise of the right secured to them by the laws of
tons in solemn and legitimate asserted their
ona independence and established Government by their
voluntary act and successfully maintained it against all
opposition by parties lawfully interested in the questions and
that the Emperor of Russia without Just or right in
vaded Hungary and by fraud and armed force ubvered the
national independence and political constitution thus establish
ed and thereby reduced that country TO the condition of
vince ruled foreign and absolute Power the United States
in defence Of their nter asd af the insres
of mankind do somn against the conduct Of Russia
occasion, n and yrannioa inacion Of the
laws naons and the United States do further declare that
they will hereafter be Indifferent similar acts of national
injustice oppression and usurpaton whenever or wherever
they may
And for which original resolutions Mr.. CAss had pro-
posed a substitute, in the following form:
Resolved That while the people of the United States
sympahizc with all nations who striving to establish free
Governments they recognise the great principle of the
which each Of them the
abolish pleasure without the nteer
ence of any other Power and they have not seen nor could
they again without deep concern the violation OF this
principle of national independence
Mr.. CLARKE said In submitting these joint resolu-
tions the consideration of the Senate was governed
by distinct and single purpose. An nustrious indvi-
dual exile from the land of his birhwhose chains
had been loosed and the captive set free principally
by our interposton-had landed upon our shores and
had excl by his and glowing eloqucnce a SYM
pathy an feeling which has scarcely parallel in the
history of popular enthusiasm The burning words Of
the great Magyar knded up fame, not only in the
red and changing population Of the commercial metro
polls of the country but with the speed of the electric
fluid and almost with its power the fervid and impas-
stoned eloquence of the suppcatng exile dispersed
through the land; and it indeed did seem that
at once to be driven from propriety and permit n
real for universal liberty to the place Of WISDOM
and aside the prudent counses by which have
been governed This wild enthusiasm, founded upon
generous but mistaken sentiment appeared to be
pidy diusng itself the land that IL seemed TO me
proper calm and deliberate expression Of the
Of Congress- and more particularly of the Senate which
is the conservative branch of the Government should be
put forth to the people, affirming the settled prin
cipcs Of national policy. delayed the presentation
Of the resolutions courtesy tothe Of the
who here with our welcome. Yet my purpose
firm ask Of the Senate cool and dispassionate vote
upon the great principles which embodied in them
Sir, dsclam oil motives incentives dcmagegism
and would not minister to any unjust deuson excite
upon se public mind. Let Others say much,
say IL as truly.
In the winter of long fe with the scar and yellow
leaf Of age upon and around can have motives
do Aasht but what believe win perpetrate the Liberties
and happiness Of my country.
Aspiring politicians, who seek 10 catchao-day the nfs
cncc of -Amercanired populaon--xho nfiame thu
pub 6c pulse, not that 1t may beat healtuy but tha
its 1lssons may promote their political elevation
sir they upon the winding way, and their hopes
of sue, founded upon undue excitement and public
sympathy. These periodical throcs Of the public pulse
are less dsagerous than they to be for ter cleo
ton has l,asssd meet again and counsel Ger the
mon good.
These re yeis4ions affirm the doctrines Of sefgov-
ernmen set forth in the Declaration Of Indepen-
dence They take the farewell advice Of the great and
good Washington for political chart, andthey seerate
the wise declarations Of Jefferson whose precspts
ocner upon lips than in the hearts Of those who claim
to be his peculiar Disciples His conservative principles
by extreme, cast aside the doymax Of
by-eone age Sir IL il time that recurred
cent political landmarks As the mariner consults his
chart and takes by day the altitude Of the sum- and at
night has observations directed the stars So sir at
Is heaAn for us to 60 back to the principles and the
policy Of enr Governmcnt-break upon the altar of
faith the sacramental bread and our fidelity the
maxims which our fathers established and which have