The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-12

does the British government think in the same
manner OF their offence! They have been
'icted OF treason, of an attempt TO overthrow the
government OF Great Britain and Ireland. Now.
the government of Great Britain, who has prose
cuted these men, and convicted them Of this of
fence, II che considered that offence in no way
stained with moral turpitude, would as readily have
pardoned them as 10 have commuted their pun
iShmeDt. The British government did not consider
their offence altogether free from moral guilt
He came from part of the country eminently
conserv alive, and, being removed from the immc-
date causes of excitement, the people there gener
ally looked ahead to see what consequences would
follow TO. morrow from what was done to- day.
MIR. ID. then supposed the case of the conviction
OF any Of those engaged in the Cbrstiana affair Of
treason against the United Staes-would not that
conviction present a case for the sympathizers
abroad TO present TO our cemency one invoy
ing no moral turpiude; but on the contrary, the
display of the highest philanthropy for the op.
pressed and prosecuted waytarcr from bondage,
Sc;
Ii had struck him that this species of intorier
cncc, thus commenced by the United States would
place the country in an awkward position towards
those abroad who might hereafter demand our
clemepcy. He did not believe that any Legislature
IN Great Britain would interfere in any case where
they did not think the party worthy OF 1t. We
think 81 in this case but who say what Gaze
they would not think equally deserving of il here
lie was for doing to others as he wished others TO
do unto him.
He would be sorry if Great Britain should set
these persons free because Of the interccsson Of the
United States. 1t would place under obi
CATION 10 her, which would give her precedent.
and claim upon 10 solicit similar fivors from
| He preferred to be under favor obligation
to Great Britain, any other power. which would
give her the pretext OF interfering in any domestic
! affair of ours.
! Mr. CASS was glad that the Senator had alluded
! to position taken by him few days ago, because
| 1t enabled him TO say few words concerning an
article which appeared in one Of the Administra-
| ION in w. he hat
| had contrascd his speech with that Of the Senator
| from Illinois, and had commented upon his harsh
and violent language towards England In that
speech there was nothing of the kind, except per-
| hap5 that lrishmen the victims of harsh
| laws, &c; fact which man, from John
! O'Groat's house TO Lands End, would deny. 1t
| had also been commented upon that he had said
mat political offences at this day were not con
sidered by the world as involving moral turpitude
He was not an observer Of the facts OF the age
lie In who does not see the change which has
taken place IN the world with regard TO the pun
ishncnt imposed on these offences. By the laws OF
England treason was punished, at one time, by the
inoet barbarous punishmepis; the party convicted
| was quartered. drawn, and his bowels taken out
| and burned. These punishments have all given
| way TO milder ones; yet they the ones which
would have been visited upon Washington and his
| compeers if they had been unsuccessful.
Every one knew that unsuccessful revolution
was rebelon but still the act itself the in
the eyes of God and man. England has not shed
| drop of blood for more than u quarter of a
fury for political offences.
Mr.. &. said that he did not consider that, If the
persons engaged IN the Christiaua affair had been
convicted OF treason, they would occupy the same
position before the world Washin ton. Kossuth,
and others.
Mr.. BADGER said he not subscriber TO the
Republic, did not take il, and had not the
! tclc alluded To by the Senator.
The Senator, however, says Chat he does not con
slider II very great crime nor one OF great moral
turpltudc, for men to assemble to resist all the laws
OF government, and overthrow It's whole constitu-
ton; yet If they assemble TO resist the execution of
one law, their offence does present to the world
like Should England interfere in behalf of
parties convicted here, she would not very readily
understand the Senator'S distinction between the
moral crime OF resisting only one law and that Of
resisting all the laws; could she unders how
the resistance to one law should be a crime and that
of attempting to abolish the whole constitution and
government should be offence with no moral
turpitude in il in the eyes Of the world.
Mr.. BADGE Err and Mr.. CASS continued the de-
bate.
Mr.. SHIELDS read letter favorable TO the pas
cage Of the resolution from the Hon. A. Stevenson,
! of Virginia
Mr.. MASON was opposed TO the resolution. lie
considered il kindred measure with that advanced
by the Hungarian einissary, kossuth; and he urged
that no vote should be had on ii till after the debate
on the resolutions OF non intervention.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD got the floor, and, on bis
motion