The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-13
TIL y r EPU B Lie .
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN IL. CLARKE,
or Rhode Island,


Senate, February g., 1852
The Senate proceeded to consider the follow
ing resolutions, submitted by Mr.. CLARKE On
the 18th ultimo:
"Be itresoIued By the Senate and HOUSE q Reprssen
talives Of The United States Of d,nerica ~ Congrss
assembled, That Congress recognises and reatirins
these manifest truths: That governments are
instituted among men to secure the inalienable
rights Of lite liberty. and the pursuit Of happiness
deriving their just powers from the consent OF the
governed. That whenever any form of gov
crnment becomes destructive OF these ends, II IL
the right OF the people to alter to abolish IT. and
to institute new government, laying it's founda
ton upon such principles, and organizing It's
powers IN such form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their rights and happiness
"Resoved, That, while we claim for ourselves
these comprehensive rights Of self government,
and also as consequence Of sovereignty the night
to be exempt from the coercion, control or inter
ference of others in the management OF our inter
nal affairs, concedc to others the same measure
Of right, the same unqualified Independence.
"Rssolusd That it is upon the sacred principle OF
Independent sovereignty that we recognise. In our
intercourse with other nations, governments de
facto, without inquiring by what means they have
been established, or in what manner they exercise
their powers
"Rssolped, That this Government has solemniy
adopted, and will perseveringiy adhere TO, as
principle OF international action. the advice given
by Washington in his Farewell Address: OBJ
serve good faith and justice towards all nations,
cultivate peace and harmony with all, give to
mankind the magnanimous and too novel an
example of people always guided by an ex-
alted justiCe and benevolence.' Sympathy Tor
a favorite nation betrays itself into par
icipation in the quarrels and wars OF an
other, without adequate inducement or justif-
cation Against the insidious wilee of foreign
influence the jealousy of free people ought TO be
constantly awake, for foreign influence Is the most
banefnl foe of republican governments The true
rule of conduct for in regard to foreign nations
is, in extending commercial relations, to have
with them rs little political connexion as possible
why quit our own 10 stand upon foreign ground
Why, by inter weaving our destiny with that OF any
part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity
in the tolls Of European ambition, ryalship inter
est, humor, or caprice?
RssoIUtd, That while cherish the liveliest sym
pathy towards all who strive for freedom OF opln-
ion or for free institutions. yet we recognise our
true policy in the great fundamental principles
given 10 us by Jefferson: Equal and exact justice
TO all men, OF whatever state or persuasion, reli
gious or pObhcal-peace, commerce. and honest
friendship with all nations, entangling alliances
with none
"Rxsoved, That although adhere tothese
scntial principles Of non Intervention as forming
the true and lRstpg foundation of our prosperity
and happiness; yet whenever a prudent foresight
shall warn that own liberties or institutions
threatened, then just regard TO our own safety
will require TO advance to the conflict rather
than ait the approach OF the foes
| freedom and Of human liberty"
The President. There is amendment Of
fersd to the resolution by the Senator from New
York, (Mr. SKwARp) and also an amendment
pr esentcd by the Senator from Michigan, (Mr.
CAss,) and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. sswAap's amendment proposes to strike out
all after the second resolution Of Mr. CLARKs and
| insert;
| "Rfsoivsd. That while the United States, in
sderaton OF the exigencies OF society, haoituaily
recognise governments ds (asto in other States,
yet that they are nevertheless by no means indif
ferent when such a government is established
against the consent OF any people by usurpauon or
by armed intervention OF foreign States or natione
"Rssovsd, That, sonsiderng that the people Of
Hungary, in the exercise OF the right secured to
them by the laws Of nations, in a solemn and c-
gitinate manner asserted their national indepen-
de nee, and established government by their own
| voluntary act, and successfully maintained 1t
against all opposition by parties lawfully interested
in the question. and that the Emperor OF Russia,
without just or lawful right, invaded Hungary, and
by fraud and armed force subverted the national
Independence and political constitution thur estab
lished, and thereby reduced that country to the
condition OF province ruled by foreign absolute
power, the United Statcs, in defence OF their
interests and Of the common inerests Of mankind,
do solemnly protest against tho conduct OF Russs
| on that occasion as a wanton and tyrannicnl in
fraction of the laws OF nations; and the United
States do further declare that they will not herenf-
ter be Indifferent TO similar acts OF national njus
tioe, oppression, and usur patton, whenever or
wherever they may occur"
Mr.. CAss's amendment is designed a subs,i-
tute for Mr. CLAnKx's series IL is as follows:
,p,s h. a.. S.~,,. GOD g,,,., of R,,r.,<,,o
r,u Irs,y Co.. 80 A. .: -, ~ ron.. y.
cL ~ IT "n;,a r. ,or," 80 ,.a u.t,rJ s,.,.s
,.'o,,.,.i.s ,;,h al rap,;ops w,ho s,,i,;nr 90
ifist - ...,,a, -, -. .-;ae a.
10, -; .,.. i = - ,h -. ,,.S tiott .aS,,,s
s's"s - a., - H. I ~, q, an.n ;,s 800 80
vi .fyair. ~ -. our Wv ,nd 60 e.,shI.b liz,
To- ~ tnI;h i, ,,'or,,,on,, =, i..,,sa ,r;,h,,,, a.,
a. t.ss'.s = - a,har ap "a - -
nN, Wv, 49,. ~, - :. ol.iJ H., - 49, n';,l, -
oncs, ,b. v;oIa,;on ~ ,h!s r;ooinl. ~ us,;ana
Ss,,as 49, >, " w P'f'' " ~
MI CLARkn In submitting these joint resoiu-
tons TO the consideration OF the Senate, wac gov
.rnsd by dstipot and sinrl. purpose An illus-
,,io,s ,nd;vidu.i .r .x,ls f,or ,ho ,.nd Of a..
~
onh-~bose @uains mao Oeeh ioosco' hho 'ne cap
tive set free, principally by our interpositon-had
landed upon our shores, and had excited by bis
.,m and oIoxino .loouopo. .vm,,,bv and ,
e..I;.,- LII g., !; a. L;.,,.u
'e'h"s ~ ~ ''""' ." ''' "s,V'
OF popular enthusiasm lhs burning words OF the
great Magyar kindled up flame not only in the
varied and che ngine population OF the commercial
,no,,o,ols of the oonnt,v b,, With the .,cod of
=, :, =, -. =,