The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-07
THE REP u BLIC.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN BELL,

On The subject OF Non tnteruenti0n dcHrersd IN the
Senate Of Me United States, 1ptl IL, 1857.
MIR. BELL said:
Mr.. President, cannot but feel some cmbar.
rassmcnt in proceeding to address the Senate alter
what has just transpircd; and regret exceedingly
to ind myself IN position which seems to require
thai should speak this subject at all, when so
many measures OF urgent interest and importan nco
seem to demand the prompt attention uf the Sen
ate. Nevertheless, this day having been assigned
for the consideration of the resolutions just an
nounctd from the Chair, with the indulge ofthe
Senate beg leave to proceed.
Some question has been made as 10 my views up
on the resolutions offered by the honorable Senator
from Rhode Island, Mr.. CLARKE.) am not so
vain sir as to suppose it of any public Importance
that should state what my views are; but still
choose TO avail myself OF the courtesy usually ex
tended TO Senators on such occasions; and, more
over, to exefcise the common privilege Of Senator'S
to express their views freely any question which
they may deem Of sufficient Importance, and which
may appear to be pertinent TO the duties and pow
ers OF Congress. fa I,
lam aware, sir, that this subject has lost much
of it's freshnessstil more Of ts attraction by the
discussion which it has already received, and more
particularly by the abatement of the excitement
which existed in the country previously to the in
PRODUCTION Of the resolutions BY the honorable Sem
ator from Rhode Island. Still am Of opinion that
the subject has lost none of its intrinsic Importance
by the lapse Of time, by the consideration it has
already received; nor, in my judgment, has it yet
been discussed in all its Interesting connex-
ions and bearings; and it is for the purpose, chief
iy Of expressing my views upon several aspects Of
the general question, which other gentlemen do
not appear To have thought Of sufficient interest to
present, that have risen to-day. /.
wish II TO be understood, in the outset, that
do not propose 10 occupy the time allotted to me
this occasion, by noticing particularly the nrgu-
ments of gentlemen who have preceded me. ]
am aware that il might, perhaps, be expected Of
me to take some notice of the structures OF the hon
orable Senator from Louisiana, not now present,
(Mr. SoULE,) upon the course of the Admnstra
ton in relation to the Cuban nvasion, the ofiicious
intermeddling Of the British government in that
affair, and the circumstances under which the
Spanish consul returned to New Orleans. Sir
while doubt not that the policy and proceedings
oil the Administration in relation to those transac
tions susceptible Of very satisfactory cxpana.
tion, yet shall leave 10 others-who may be more
familiar with all the circumstances OF these trans
actions than am aud to whom it may be more
convenient--the task of elucidating and of deduc-
ing from them the just vindication Of the Execu
tive.
! desire, further to be understood as not attach
ing very much importance to the question ear. !.
nestly cebated-after ali that has transpiFed in
laton this subject whether the resolutions Of
fered by the honorable Senator from Rhode leland
shall be adopted, it adopted at all, without amend.
inent; or whether we may not incorporate with
them some expression Of the opinions entertained
by the country oil the intervention OF Russia In the
affairs OF Hungary. While it gives me pleasure to
acknowledge that no member of this body is more
distinguished Tor his good sense, for his sound,
practical, statesmanlike views upon any quesiion
he chooses to invest gate, than the Senator from
Rhode Island; and while admit that his resou-
tons embrace every sentiment which think i'm
portant for this country TO declare in connection
with the Hungarian questions nevertheless, mean
90 say that do not lay the same stressthat others
have done upon the question, whether the rcsolu-
ucns shall pes, in the shape in which they now
stand, or whsiher they shall be amended as 10
declare, IN fitting and proper terms, the sentiment
oi the country upon the practical question ~ in
tervention in the case presented between Russia
and Hungary. In my view Of the subject, If Con-
gress, entertaining the opinion that any import
ant principle OF international law has been vio-
lated 10y the Intervention OF Russia in the affairs
oi hungary, ehould deem il expedient to ex
prcsS the concern with which the people of this
country had Witnessed that intervention, and even
10 protest aud rcmonstrat against any future and
similar violation OF the law OF nations. in temper
ute yet firm language, do.not consider that such
proceeding would disturb the amicabe relations
existing between the two countries J hold that
euch proceeding on the part of the United Statcs
would be no just cause VI offence 70 any foreign
power, nor any violation OF national courtesy. In
deed, cir, there may be some danger that in our
caution 10 avoid one extreme, we may fall into the
opposite one for while agree bat neither sound
policy, nor just regard for character and
dignity. nor due respect for any foreign nation
with whom VIC desire TO cultivate relations Of amity
aud commerce, do not warrant or justify the en-
ploymont OF the language uf inyective, OF menace,
or bravado, in protesting or demonstrating against
nay actual or supposed aggression by any one ma
ton upon the rights Of any other nation or people,
yet there is a wide difference between such for.
bcarance in language, between firm yet temper
ate expression Of our opinions and sentiments, and
the tameness and submissive acquicscence which
might be implied from absolute silence, when we
conceive that there has been a violation OF any
great consersa atiye principle Of that system Of in
tcrnatonal law, tho boast Of modern civilization,
which has, by common consent, been adopted to
secure the cqul and independent ghts of the
weaker and smaller States "a well VI the stronger
and more powerful among the family Of nations.
j have thrown out these suggestions rather to
maintain the right OF any one nation To take exccp-
tion, by protect rcmon-trancc, 10 the acs
duct Of any other power conceived TO be an infrac
ton OF The law oinatons without being necessarily
committed to any other forcibc intervention 10
compel its observance, than with any view 60 the
exercise OF the right the present occasion, For
myseli, am quite content with the resolutions as
they were presented by the Senator from Rhode
Island. II it were important, proper, expe
dient TO add 20 the resolutions, as originally pre-
sented, by declaring our sympathy with the for.
tunes Of Hungary, 10 protest against any future
Intervention by Ru3sia ia the affairs OF that gallant
people, am not prepared 10 say that either the
amendment Offered by the nator from Michigan,
(hlr. CAss,) or by the Senator from New York,
(Mr. SgwARp,) is in form which could receive
my assent. Tho language Of the amendment
offered by tho senator from Now York consider
decidedly Objectionable.
Bot do not propose 10 examine the question
whether lhcre has been any violation of any great
conservative principle Of the law of nations by Rus
eia-w whether the interference of that power, upon
The invitation Of Austria with the Affairs OF Hun
gary, dependent kingdom OF the Austrian
rirc, wes such a violations; nor do propose to 60
into the discussion Of what mny be- the true inter
probation OF tue law " nations, IA 10 the question
bow far one nation may bc allowed 90 interfere in
tho internal affairs OF another, when its safety
ar interest may seem to require such Intervention.
II IL enough % say that whatever may be the rule
of international law, the practice Of nations, as
shYwn BY ali history, saDd sir, it ever wiilhc---
that, whencycr any great power considers that
either its saic,y, interest or the success OF its
ambitious schemes, sucFcst the policy OF incrvcn-
ton IN the affairs Of other nations, IL will not hCsi
tate 60 interfere. II may be said with truth OF the
law Of nations, as il has been said of municipal
law, in certain conditions Of society and govern
mcn, that II is too ofen found 60 DC dead letter
when great criminals arc To be brought To justice.
Sir, II - principle of International law that no
nation has right to wage ogainst another
nation without just cause; and yet more than nine
cnths Of the wars which have afflicted the world,
even in modern tines, have bad no other founda-
ton rfrcxi than the rpir; Of conquest, the love
Of glory, Of spol
II will be perceived sir, from the tenor Of these
introductory remarks, that have not risen toctn.
tinue the discussion upon the subject Of the po icy
of intervention or non-inerventInn by the United
States in the affairs quarrcls If Europe. " il
A.