The southern press., 1852-01-09
lg. Gentry's Remarks In the House on the
kNaeHth RfaelufiOn.

Mr.. GENTRY. should have preferred TO
have given silent vote upon the proposition
that is before this committee. ] think that would
have been in the best taste, in my own view of
what is proper, and in view Of what we owe to
ourselves under the circumstances which sur
round us. But 80 much has been said pro aud
con, that feel disposed to say word or two
by way of indicating the reasons which have
influenced me, and will influence me in all the
votes may give in connection with this nos
snth question. Ii man presents himself at
my door when know he comes for the purpose
of asking me to endorse his note for 100000, II
he is gentleman in character and position,
will invite him into my house, and extend to
him all the courtesies which are due TO gentle
man, though | may know him to be insolvent, and
though | may feel all the while that duty TO my
self AMI my children imperiously imposes upon
me the necessity Of refusing to indorse the note
would be careful, more especially to do so, II
the doors of my house bad been opened to him
by myself, and had invited him to come there
upon another ground not connected with the
Endorsement OF his note. | would invite him
into my house if ] supposed him gentleman OF
high character, principles genius and talent
overwhelmed by torrent Of misfortune, though
| might know he came to ask NE to do that
which would imperil the fate Of myself and
/ family, and though could not give him all he
came to ask. Still respecting him as gentle
man--respecting him for his genius, the exalted
principles and motives which believed actuated
his conduet-though ! might believe that the
wave of misfortune had buried him beyond all
hope of resurrection and could do nothing for
him except to give him my respect and sympathy,
would slam the door in his face and say, Get
away from here! you shall not ask me to indorse
that note 3 Laughter Not at all. 1t would
be an exceedingly painful operation, and there
fore should make my courtesies and hosp'tali-
ties all The more abundant, because presently
should have TO give most unwelcome response
! to the favor which he asked of me.
! That Is the position in which we stand in ref.
erence to Louis Kossuth; and the only Ques
ton in the American House of Representatives
| to consider is that they shall be- careful to de-
mean themselves as gentlemen upon this occa-
sion, and not rs rowdes lie question of
ndorsing the note is an after question, which
We are not called upon tp consider now. We
are called upon to extend the cvities and cour-
tesies which the properties growing out Of the
circumstances that surround us demand at our
hands. We are called upon to represent and
take care of the dignity and character of this
great nation in this regard Whether in rela,
ton to what is passed we have done ris It or
H.
man is here How is he here, and what are the
circumstances under which he presents himself
here! IL surpr-es me that any debate or ad-
verse opinions should have arisen here in relation
to this subject After the disastrous termna.
ton of the Hungarian struggle for national ex.
istence, when Louis kossuth was a prisoner in
Turkey, this government, responding to the
lust, proper, and honorable feelings of the Amer
lean people, in all the forms which it could
employ exhibited its anxiety for his condition
and fate. Much as am exposed TO embarking
this nation in the affairs Of Hungary, am not
ready to admit that we are called upon to be
afraid to show we sympathze upon this or the
other side Of questions which may arise beyond
our borders Congress passed resolutions upon
this subject. Our diplomatic representatives
to European governments were instructed and
required to use the influence which they might
legitmately and rightfully employ TO release
Kossuth from imprisonment. A ship was sem
across the Atlantic ocean, and its commands
) was instructed to receive and br NC him hom,
} to our shores, if he chose to come Kossutt
accepted the offer, and he is here, regarding him
self as the guest Of the nation. II is enough
that the world so understands and regards it
: whether we shall so regard it or not.
} Now, the question il, what does proprety re
qnire at our hands Though psrehayRsef siqas bii
he may ask that which we cannot grant, yet pro
prieiy requires at our hands that we should i
ceive him with all the civilities due to the occa
sion and the circumstances which surround hin
and us.
But gentlemen are afraid that he will mike &
speech--that he will overturn the long establish
ed policy of the nation. They seem to be afraid
that the American people in their admiration
for Kossuth will forget Washington. have nc
such fear. Let him speak much as he pleases
Let him 90 into every Congressional district ir
: the United States of America, and speak as
often as he de Tres. His speeches will be harm
less. expect, if occasion should make il ne
cessary, to resist, with as much firmness as any
other man, the line of policy which he would
induce US to take. Let him speak Why, sir
am so much of a Democrat-a real genuine
Democrat-that am willing to submit every
and all questions which have arisen, or can
possibly arise, involving the interests and honor
of this republic, to the arbirament of the Amer
ican people. If the people are not competent
to solve safely for the republic all questions that
can be submitted to them, why, then our gov
ernment is founded upon false idea and it is
needless for us TO struggle against the ruin that
is inevitable. lfKossuth can overturn this re
public, or unsette the long.established and firm
VI WIS anu tlIuke bllttH
gard the admonitions of Washington, so as to
make then abandon the policy that has made
them what they are and which, if persevered in
is destined to make them infinitely more power
full than language can tell, or Imagination con-
ceve--if any foreigner from another cline can
do all that, if our only safety is in not giving
him chance to speak, laughter, why, then
this legacy which we have inherited from our
fathers is not worth struggling or fighting for
at all
In respect to the safety of this government
and the stability of its policy, consider Louis
kossuth as a very hare less individual If aul
wrong in that am wrong in believing the the
ory upon which this government is founded. II
this people can be made to forget the high des.
tiny to which they are called and the great re.
sponsbiiy which rests upon them--f they, can
be made 10 forget Wasi ington for Louis Kos.
suth, why then our institutions are not worth :
struggle, and the whole experiment which our
fathers have undertaken, and which we are seek
ing to perpetuate, is II fallacy and is of no value