The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-15
THE PEOPLE OF WASHINGTON GOVERNOR
KOSSUTH

In accordance with the proceedings of
meeting of citizens of various States held OF
the 7th at the Irving Hotel, Chancellor Wal
worth was appointed to present to KOssuti
resolutions and an address sympathizing will
him and his mission The deputation waited
upon him last Friday, when the Chancellor il
behalf Of the meeting presented an address
which was responded to by Governor KOssuth
"a !. 'sPcSs.. - ----.- 49, -
strength. Chancellor Walworth so far forgot
the properties OF tine time and plaeo,-@c . =.
fleet Extensively upon the conduct not only of
the People of Washington, but of a certain
portion of the People of the United States
&" you have not been welcomed" said he, "by
the municipal authorities of this District with
the same cordality which has been and will
be hereafter manifested elsewhere, presume
you will attribute it to the social influence
which the residence of the diplomatic agents
Of so many arbitrary Governments may natu-
rally be supposed to have over part merely
of the permanent and limited population of
the District of Columbia"
Resolutions in favor of Kossuth passed one
branch of the municipal authorities of the Dis
trct but were slurred over or defeated in the
other The secret influence which produced
this result, emanated, not from the presence
here of foreign ministers, but, we fear, from
Catholic counsels. We do not speak positively
but we have reason for our remark
In so far as the imputation of Chancellor
Walworth bears against our citizens it is
grossly unjust There has not been 30 much
noise and parade here as in New York, in
honoring Governor Kossuth; but it must be
remembered that our city is mere village,
compared with the commercial metropolis,
numbering not twelfth part of its popula-
ton. Kossuth has no ground Of complaint
against the hospitality of the citizens. He has
been cordially received. Deputation after dep
utation, representing different classes and in
terests, has waited upon him, to assure him
of their high respect their sincere sympathy
and their general concurrence in his princi
pies; and certainly the crowd of vsiters daily
has been more than he could crafty.
The tone Of a portion of the press in otheI
cities towards Washington and all that it con
tains seems TO us captious, unjust, unkind
Now, Congress is bitterly denounced, then, tn
Executive Departments, then, the citizens
denounced without reason. Why cannot on
l. Al
sures 2 Do they not know that there is n
proposition of an important character, tina
can pass both Houses of our National Legis
lature, without more or less discussion Mus
the great ma jority of both Houses be held re
spOnsible for the over-scrupulousness, or folly
of n few individual members We do not re
greet the debate that took place on the que'
tion Of the mode of receiving Kossuth
has served to attract the attention of til
People to tho principles represented by tn
Hungarian exile, and to the subject general
of our foreign relations 1t has developed
new form of opposition to Progress, assume
by the Slave Power in its antagOnsm to Lii
Orty. And the resolutions in favor of Kossutl
carried at last 10y triumphant msjorites wer
rendered by the preceding debate far NOR
significant than they would have been if passc
by tacit consent and merely as matter 0
form
Then, rs to the action of the Executive De
partments The nations of Europe will no
think for a moment of the warmth or coIdnes,
with which Kossuth WAS welcomed Their Mt.
tention will be fixed upon the great fact, that
apolitcal refugee from Austrian oppression,
prescribed hated feared by the Despotisms
of the Old World, is formally received. hon
ored, entertained by the Republican Govern.
ment Of the New Word-recoiyed, honored
and entertained precisely because he is such a
refugee-becauso he has confronted and re-
sisted those Despotims That fact alone
speaks defiance and rebuke to Austria and
Russia and a God-spoed to the Revolutionists
of Europe
Of course Congress and the Executive must
expect to have their conduct reviewed and
Judged by the People Plain speaking is the
right Of the Press 1t does no more than its
duty in watching the proceedings of the Gov
eminent, and in rcbuking in them what it be-
lleycs wrong But Just and discriminating
censure is one thng-wholesalo denunciation
is another. After all, there is certain respect
due TO the Representatives Of the American
People and to the men chosen by them rs the
types Of their sovereignty 1t seems to ut
that we should be careful, for the sake of cul
tlSating a proper respect for Law among the
People, and maintaining the reputation q
republican institutions abroad, to guard agains
attempts to dsparage our Government or Il
bring it into disrepute or contempt.
As 10 the citizens of Washington, they ough
not to be held responsible for the course of tn
National hteAigenesr Generally it has per
haps more influence with them than any singl
press here, hut in relation 10 Governor No.
suth, it has not represented or controlled thei
opinions. The great Hungarian carries wit
him from this spot the deep sympathies, an
earnest, God be with you of the great mass {
our population
The InteLhgsneer repels with great indigna
ton, the imputation of Chancellor Walworth
but with ts characteristic want of frendlines
towards Kossuth omits to say anything of tn
beautiful most impressive wndication of tn
People of Washington, contained in the repl
Of Kossuth-a yindication far more satisfaction
than the resentful language Of that paper
"You have been pleased said Kossuth "a