The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-12

immediate action have reference to tho attack
upon Hungary, the resson is obvious and justhable.
There are conditions of the public mind, arising out
of passing events favorable to the confederation OF
particular questions, while others are east into
the sh sde, and command no attention. The former
is the state Of things in relation to Hungary; to her
rights and to her wrongs; and the principles thus
brought up are attracting the attention OF the
world, and are discussed in conversation, in
legislative assemblies, in the pubic Journals,
and In diplomatic correspondence, and they thus
commend themselves to general consideration.
And the facts have been of nature to impart deep
interest to the whole subject, and without some
degree Of interest it were vain to endeavor 70
gage the public attention. MT Presiden., what
earthly tribunal has q better right than the Con-
gress of the American people to pronounce tho
opinion of the people upon such subjects do
not speak, lest should DO accused of patriotic ex-
aggerstion, of those qualities, intellectual and
moral, which are found here, and which are es
sential to sound decision; but speak of its re-
preventative capacity as the depository OF much OF
the power Of people, whose interest and feelings
are Intimately connected with the broadcast prin-
oiples of freedom and independence. Other le-
gislatures do not hesitate to speak out boldly AID
firmly For several years, the Chamber of De.
puties of Franco demonstrated in their answer to
the annual speech from the throne against the an
Inhalation of Poland, and In $40, in this emphatic
"1n iii the questions that divide the world Franco
nvekes but u,tce she demands only the respect due
to all rights Can she cease to recall to Europe those
repeated treaties gave to generous people, whose mis-
fortune time seems only to aggravate."
1t is we'll understood that the government Of
Louis Philippe was opposed to these declarations,
and that they gave serious offence to tho Russian
Emperor, who recalled his ambassador from the
French court. But no counsels Of timidity pre-
vailed with the members of the Chamber. They
put their remonstrance into the most solemn fern,
and spread it on record before the world, unawea
by apprehensions like those which there seems to
be systematic effort to excite in the breasts Of the
D.,k L. Mo
President. You may persuade and convince our
countrymen, bat it Is out of the power Of mortal
man to drive them from the maintenance of their
tights ~ any Son with the
deal that is said at this day, become more and
convinced that the men of the revolution were
peculiarly fitted for the work of the revolution.
They sought security and justice, not in precedent
but in principles and well is it that they did so
for the history of the world is filed with presidents
tyranny and OPPRESSION while it does not contain
single example of government like ours. It's
establishment is q tribute due to wisdom, patriot
ism, and valor; not to Anticipated notions, with
thing to recommend them but their age. | believe
if had the work of the revolution and of the for
nation of a government thrown upsn rs, We should
not do half as well as bur fathers did. The Eng
lish House of Commons have, in different ways and
upon many occasions, expressed their opinions upon
questions Of international law, by direct addresses
tiers; and it will be q new doctrine there, that
such proceedings give just cause of offence to
other powers, or that they necessarily commit
nation to support them by war, when they fail as q
of English parliamentary history to seek OK amples
of this nature, for they familiar TO all who are
conversant with the British political annals but
there was declaration made by Lord Palmer.
stOn upon one of these occasions, SO just in itself
and 60 applicable to this country, that l . am
tempted to refer to it, and to commend it to the
attention of all those who desire to inculcate the
doctrine that ought to live in state of Chinese
isolation from the political affairs of the world in.
different to events and to their effects upon the vel
fare of mankind. The British Secretary of State
measured the duty Of his country by far higher
standard He was not prepared. he said, to admit
that the independence of constitutional states,
whether they were powerful like France or the
United States, or of less relative political impor
lance, such as the minor states Of Germany, ever
could be a matter of indifference to the British
Parliament, or, he should hope, to the British pub
lie. Constitutional states he considered to be
the natural allies of this country; and who
Of Great Britain, he was persuaded that no
English ministry would perform its duty, If it
were inattentive to the interest, of such States.
AS to the feelings of the British Parliament and
public, Lord Palmerston speaks as one having
authority; but as to the people of the United States,
no authority is necessary to speak for them, be-
cause their feelings open to all the world. And
is the American Congress the only free Legislature
where such sentiments fad no response, and the
rights and laws of nations no efficient support,
Mr.. Canning, upon memorable occasion, no. I'M
like the present in its relation to tho independence
Of nations, well remarked, that eth persons
to me to imagine, that under no possible circum-
stances can an honest man endeayor to Keep his
country upon line with the progress of political
knowledge, and to adap. its course to the varying
circumstances Of the world such an attempt is
branded as an indication Of misohevous intentions.
How accurately does this eminent man, in descrb-
ing the opposition that liberal efforts encountered
IN England, point out the very opposition that SINH
lar Efforts encounter here and the repro aches they
bring with them! He was for /" pre- ssing generous
and noble sentiments into the service Of his coun-
try" We are rebuked for advocating such sent-
ments; and the everlasting fear that terrible
calamity is to befall within the course of the next
ten centuries, II we depart one inch from the trod
den path, paralyses many clear head and many
sound heart, and sends them for refuge to
the stand still policy policy unfit for the age,
unacceptable to the American people, and
worthy Of our country and its Institutions. II is
far better TO keepon the line of political knowledge,
AS Mr. Canning terms the adaptation of the feelings
and policy of nation to its true position than to
stand still upon the line of precedenss, and let the
world get far ahead of US, forgetting fearing, in
the language of statesman transferred from this
chamber to the direction of our foreign affairs, the
equal of Canning in genius and mental vigor, for
getting fearing "that are in an age of pro-
gress" And we may well look round and ssk each
other, as one of tho nobest men that ever occupied
seat in this or in any other legislative body,
bright in intellect, pure in purpose, splendid in his
powers Of eloquence, but now struck down by Pro-
whence, to the regret of his country, which has
anticipated inc JuuRnenV Oh history Dy one anlVer-
sal tribute Of respect for his services and his worth
we may ask each other, he asked the legis-
lators of former day" Are the Representatives
alone 10 be isolated from the common atmosphere
of the world!' II we commit this error, we shall
be isolated from the feelings and confidence of our
fellow citizens, and find, when too late, that We
are unworthy opponents Of their sentiments. Many
objections, more or LEGS plausible, have been pre-
aented to deter US from any action in this mat
ter, but not one Of them, with more conf
dence or pertinacity, nor with less regard to
the true circumstances of our position than
that which warns us that by sush proceed.
ing We should violate alike the traditions OF
our policy and the advice of our wisest states
men, and especially the ipjunctions Of Washington
and Jefferson. Never were just recon mendations
more inappropriately applied than in this attempt
to apply the views Of those great to tho crcum-
stances in which we are placed. Non intervention,
it is said, was the policy they maintained, and the
legacy they bequeatbed to us; but 10 it possible
thai single American be found, who believes
that either Of those patriots would condemn the