The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-12-22
CITY OF W WASHINGTON.
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. DEC. "a, 1864.
Congress Tuesday.

WEDNE SDAf MOhNlNGs DEt- S1s ioox
Conyrcss-Tuosday. aare,f,rF
SrsArE--Mr. Summer presented memorial from the
American Peace Society, praying that International
yoyersss may be settled by Arbitration 'as.ss. z.
Mr. Rask Submitted resolution that Hon David
Msriwsther be paid his mdeaxe and per diem for the
lime be has been here al the present session waiting the
decision OF the question with regard TO his right 10 seat
in the Senate The resolution lies over @ @t.
MIR Brooke introduced bill 10 repeal all laws now in
force imposing duties on railroad iron.
The Joint resolution from the House TO settle the
eouu, Of the public printer for paper furnished by him
since the 6rs Of November considered and passed.
The Joint resolution authorizing the President
fer the title Of lieutenant general by brevet for eminent
services was takenup and debated by Messrs Shields,
Csss Hale and others and the question being taken, it
was passed--yeas 81. nays IL.
The bill 10 provide for the payment Of such claims Of
the creditors OF the late republic OF Texas are COM
pretended in the act OF September Q. 1885, was taken
up and made iAe special order for the 9th OF January
next.
Aftsr short executive session. the Senate adjourned
Hovvx oS RxpaEsGsrAnvEs---After, hs reading OF
the iouraal the House went into COMMITTEES OF the
Whole and took up the Presidents Mr. Jones,
Of Tennessee made speech in opposition TO the modi-
cation Of the tariff .a aa a3 e.1
Messfs Chandler, Meacham Cingman, Washburn,
Howard, and Taylor further continued the debate on
Mr. Cnrman's amendment to instruct the Committee OF
Wavs and Means 10 report bill 10 admit railroad iron
free Of duty ~
1855 5saI -----------------------
The Publication Of Diplomatic Correspond
ence. ~ t.E.saE 4sea
The publication OF the negotiations OF the govern
ment is practice which il is difficult to defend any
principle of justice policy The constitution recog
nises the necessity and propety Of secrecy in the inter-
national negotiations of the government, in denying to
the popular branch of the legislature any share in the
treaty making power, and in con6ding TO the Execu-
tive the absolute power of prohibiting the publication
Of diplomatic correspondence. 1t was the practice ofthe
"earlier' Presidents to withhold from Congress any d.:
plorna,ic papers which they deemed il mpoliuc to
publish Congress itself recognises The necessity of the
exercise Of cautious discretion in making public the
secret negotiations of the government, in the form of
expression by which ii requests the publication OF dipo
matte papers. 4"
To make public the successive steps in a pending
negotiation would in most cases inevitably defeat the
aim OF such negotiation To unfold to the world the in
gaes, the pesuasons, the menaces, the articles. and
all the various means by which the object of past
negotiation has been accomplished, would only give
foreign nations insight into diplomacy, but would
excite their jealousy and hostility, and throw them into
attitude OF defence against what they might imagine to be
our unfriendly vaccinations In either case The act of
publication would be detrimental to the interests of the
country. The results only, and not the and pro-
cess. Of negotiation should be made public.
There is another relation in which the question nay
be considered. In the publication OF the diplomatic
correspondence of the government this country is not
alone concerned. The dignity, the rights. and the in
eress OF other nations. may be most njuriouy affected
by publishing to the world their secret and confidential
negotiations with government Has this government
the right to perpetrate such act of wan,on injury to
fnsndly nation Foreign powers consent to negotiate
with this government the tacit understanding of mu
tual good faith and is it act of good faith to publish
papers which, in the progress of negotiation, other ma
tons have conhdentiay iairusted 10 US Will foreign
powers consent TO cooperate with this government in
negotiation and TO il with knowledge of their mo-
tves and designs, il il be known that their confidential
communications will be published to the worldi
These opinions have recently been foreibly Illus
ated By the publication oil the Cuban correspondence
serious obstacles opposed to all subsequent negota
ton with Spain in respect TO Cuba And than this
official personages in England and Spain have been irrep
arably damaged by such violation OF confidence. The
publication OF the Hayden correspondence has not been
lees embarrassing this country, while to France and
England it has been gross wrong. ...e.a..-s
The talk about simplicity and frankness in the con
duct OF republican government, is mere sentiment II
republican government, is to maintain and extend its
power il mus, avail itself Of the means OF aggrandze
meni employed by other governments
President Polk not only displayed noble manliness
and Independence. but set worthy and wise precedent
10 his successors in refusing 10 make public secret
rotation, in defiance OF the discourteous demand OF an
unscrupulous party spirit.
Dtplonattc Salaries.