The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-14

/ to the introduction OF the resolution, and on
motion to suspend the rules, the vote stood go
to lOS This indicates more general hostility
10 The change than was expected 1t looks very
much as If British interests were invulnerable,
and as If home labor must look TO future Con-
gress for the vindication of its rights, and the
triumph Of the principle of protection.
/ ~ The resolution of sympathy with the
Irish exiles was discussed on "Wednesday in the
Senate From the official report we extract
the following interesting passages, which con-
cluded the debate on that day:
! Mr.. CASS. II wish to say one word more
upon this subject Tocome back to my original
proposition; which is precisely this: that any
| oppressed people who strive to change their
| government whether the result of their efforts
| be revolution or a rebellion, are not guilty of
moral turpitude in the eyes of God or man.
That is my proposition, and that is the prevalent
| opinion at the present day. . herWise you
make criminality depend entirely upon the fact
of resistance to the laws, and that would include
| Washington and his co-patriots, and thousands
! Of others who have resisted the laws of the
government under which they lived That is
the point, Now, my honorable friend asks US
why are the best men sent out Of France if they
are not guilty Of moral turpitude.
Mr. BADGER. ! said no such thing.
Mr.. CASS Then did not understand the
gentleman. He knows as well as do that they
are sent out by order of the individual who is
now controlling that government. And yet
young Lafayette, and Lester, aud the best men
of France, are guilty of moral turpitude.
| Mr.. BADGER. did not say so.
Mr.CASS. That is no evidence Of moral
iurpitude--their being sent out of the country
by the order Of the government. II is simply
an act of power-nothing more and nothing less
Mr.. BADGER. The honorable senator GER
tainly persists very strongly in misstating what
| have Said. | know he does not design it.
| Mr.. CASS. Certainly not
Mr.. BADGER. ! have said over aud over
again that have given no such opinion on this
matter. said that governments do not regard
offenders against themselves as patfiots-men
influenced by high and lofty motives. They
look upon them as criminals, and therefore they
punish them accordingly. That is what and ali
that have said about the subject My argu.
ment is enterely dependent upon the proposition
that have stated and restated, that If we inter.
fere in behalf Of those whom another govern.
ment deems worthy of punishment, merely be.
cause we think them patriotic and perfectly
Unsuitable in their acts, they may also interfere
with the same right in the case of persons here
whom they may deem to have been engaged IL
Unsuitable efforts-glorious spirits who sough
TO destroy our laws in obedience TO highe
, law, although we deem them exceedingly crimi
tnal and wish to commit them to the severes
punishment That is all that | have urged.
" Mr.. SHIELDS. do not mean to re-ente
into the debate upon the present occasion, anC
shall not make any remarks Of my own. Bu
since offered the few remarks which made OF
Saturday last have received letter from
gentleman whose views, in my opinion, thi.
Senate will respect. lie is Northern gentle.
man, and perhaps about as sensitive in relation
to Southern rights as my friend from North Car
olina, Mr.. BADGER ! will say here that al
one time felt disposed TO touch upon this very
point. Were ! Southern man, would be
proud Of il. But, with all resi- ect for the South
| would certainly hesitate as 10 the proprie,y OF
bringing in that very sensitive question OF
Southern institutions upon all occasions.
would not feel that was stopped from express
ing my sympathy for the unfortunate, and the
free and liberal everywhere, because happened
10 be Southerner But do not mean 20 touch
| upon that point now.
i Here is a letter from a highly cultivated
Southern gentlemsn-a Virginian-a gentleman
u.
4 James. And let nc say that no man ever rep.
resented this country al that court, or at any
other court, who was more sensitive upon this
very question Of The right Of interference.
well recollect the difficulty that occurred while
he was at that court between him and q very
] powerful man OF the time and occasion--Mr.
| OConnell-upon some point then before them.
But will say nothing more about him now.
! will ask that the secretary read this letter,
because II presents this matter as forcibly as il
can be presented by any one
The letter was then sent 10 the secretary,s
table and read. IL was from Hon. Andrew
| Stevenson, and expressed his approval of the
resolution in relation 10 the Irish exies, and his
appreciation OF the views presented by Mr.,
SHIELDS in his speech Of Saturday last.
| Mr. s. then proceeded 10 say: I take the
liberty Of having this letter read merely because
this gentleman, who is well acquainted with
| diplomatic propriety. seems 20 regard this reso.
\ luton "a entirely harmless as far as giving OF.
fence TO the British government is concerned.
lie is well acquainted with the disposition Of
that government, and the condition OF the Eng.
lish aud Irish people.
| | understand that some amendments were
offered before came into the Senate this morn.
| ing by my friend from New York, Mr.. SEwARD.l
! would like TO have them read.
!. The amendments were then read, as follows
Strike out in the fourth line the word re-
spectful," and insert The word courteous"
Also, IN the same line strike out the words
firm conviction and insert the word @opin.
ton." And in the ninth and tenth lines strike
out the words I" we would regard this act OF
eiemency," and insert the words a this act Of
ciemency would be regarded"
hr. SHIELDS. think myself that the word
r4courteous" il more appropriate word than
respectful" and will accept that amendment.
also think the word opinionv' Is better than
the words firm conviction Indeed I am
! willing 10 accept all amendments.
The PRESIDENT The Senator cannot ac.
cept the amendments, as this resolution Il now
in the power Of the Senate. The question
I must be taken upon them Ms amendments 10 the
amendment Of the Senator from Illinois, fMr
J, SHIELDS.
The question was then stately be upon the
| amendments to the amendment
Mr.. MASON. ! listened with very great
pleasure upon former day to the remarks Of the
L