The daily union., 1852-02-12

patriots who have been condemned to grevons ;nnrisn
condemned TO forfeiture OF lifeior the
usShage OF high ACT OF patriotic duty 10 their country
WIN the noblest motives influencing them in what thew
nave done and they not TO be considered as affected
WIN any species OF moral blame. Well now sir be Il
so assume that is so in fact and that believe il 10
| he so--both How is this transaction viewed bv ihs
bHlish government That government prosecuted these
men as traitors, for attempt 10 oyeriun the existing
government OF The United Kingdom of Britain and Ireland
For this offence they convicted for this offence thew
received sentence OF death, and that sentence was after
mans Land
Now, sir, il seems TO me- in the frst place, that the
English government will scarcely think, when they have
prosecuted these men Tor an offence OF this kind pro-
nouneed by Their laws 10 be criminal offence and after
conviction and judgment have thought proper 10 par
don the criminals, but have changed that sentence of
death for Punishment IRON the ream-they will not
consider that they honorable and noble men, who
have been influenced by high and patriotic motives in
what they have done They look upon them in far
different ghr That being The case. Mr. President does
II not follow thai we have to ear-f we set this
exampe-that we shalt have it followed with multi
tnde OF unpleasant and dsagTeeable inererences with
The administration OF our own laws
! eome Mr. President, from part OF this country
which look upon as especially conservative We are
10 the habit great deal-when The breezes of public
sentiment have blown until they have agitaed the
munity OF the State and almost incapacitaed them to
Judge OF what IS right and prudent IN consequence of
the proximity OF certain portion OF the United States,
and the motives considerations and influences that are
apt 10 stir them 10 great degree OF excitemento con-
slider little, being ourselves somewhat removed from
these Immediate causes which apt TO msead the
judgmentio look little ahead and inquire whether
what we DO may not be done in very unpleasant
IN respect to us.
Now, Mr. President lei us suppose for one moment that
some OF the actors the Christana riots had been found
guilty OF high treason They indicted for high
SON. High treason is political offence, know, in this
country, but not treason like that which, from time 10
time, has been established by the statutes in England
We know OF no treason except levying against the
United States, or giving aid and comfort TO their
mics Now, sir, suppose that the transaction in which
any o these parties engaged had been declared
be an act OF evylng war agalnstshe United States That
being act adopted in consequence OF concert 10 pre-
vent entirely IN The United States the execution of law
OF the United States, IL was judicial to be de-
scrsbed any other than attempt to destroy the
hority OF government aud 10 0s end to the suprem-
acy OF the law Now, pray OF, sir 10 consider If that
case would not, in the view o Me Sympathzng friends
the other side OF the waller have presented case with
all the claims which the honorable senator brings for
ward in behalf OF these II sh eXes for the interference
OF the ultra Tor the indifference OF the masses,
OF government or parliament, other legislative
assemblies the other side Of the water, represent
ing the strong feelings a modem humanity, and of
general sympathy "lIh the opptessed everywhere;
Why, sir, 10 such peop those CtfisAana rioters would
have appeared noble Gtn.nEaged, indeed, IL is true in
the small and techs A p4elue II Violating the municipal
laws OF the ,couu4 Ia fact what IS called treason
against the Uniled Sulesbu, Influenced by high and
noble motives, under tlil inspiration o higher law, and
an enthusiasm which prompted them TO go forward at
every earthly hazard, not 10, the benefit OF themselves
but my lena IRON Michigan said with regard TO these
gentlemen for The benefit Of their counrvlo relieve the
oppressed, 10 prevent The hunted waytarers from being
lNlO STATE OF captivity from Wnlcn tbey
had fortunately escaped-as men Influenced by hish
and lofty spirit Of hospitality, who, with outstreched
arms, were willing even al the hazard OF destroying the
constitution OF Their country, 10 carry into effect these
high, noble, and generous impulses Of their nature
Now, Mr. President, confess the idea which occurred
to me that this proceeding Instituted b us might be an
extremely unpleasant and dsagreeable one, when re-
soted 10 in some OF the future contingencies OF the
Try by persons abroad who would have assumed pre-
csely The same position that the honorable senator has
aguedhathey interfering in our concerns but
only lnerceders-l say my fear has not been removed by
the assurances ne has given well conceive this,
Mr. President, that applications OF this kind would
ever be made by foreign governments No resolutions
OF this kind will be adopted by the English Para-
menl except in behalf OF those whom they think be
merltonous objects for their inerposion Nor shall
adopt any such proceedings except behalf OF those
whom we regard in that light But this is not the ques-
ton. II we are TO nterpose and think inierpose
without giving offence, and can properly do and think
that IL a duty TO interpose, because look upon
these persons sentenced to this Punishment by foreign
government as menorious and noble and as eni.
lied 10 our sympahies, and accompanied with moral
blame, we cannot resist the right OF foreign State,
foreign Parliament, or legislative bodies TO interfere
n precisely The same mode 10 regard 10 citizens OF ours
that we may think worthy OF the EXTREMIST punishment,
but whom they regard az occupying the same relation
with regard TO moral guilt which attribute 10 the per-
in whose behalf these resolutions are now offered
We should cut ourselves off by adopting this proceed
Jog iLom any right 10 object | not where the
thing would end. resolution OF the British Par
lament may be passed They may take up and dis.
cuss resolutions TO send 10 us, or have them commu-
nIcated TO in the kind OF indirect and somewhat
osenatous mode which the senator from Michigan Mr
CASs has referred to- through their minister in this
try. wish upon this subjec, TO practise upon the old
definition OF moraltyof doing 10 others would be
done by. want no interference Of foreign States and
governments in internal affairs anywhere, and there
lore not willing 10 set the practical example OF euch
interference on our behalf with their Internal concerns.
know Mr. President, that this resolution springs from
the highest and best motives. know that my honorable
uend who has modified IT, al least in my judgment, has
superior in knowledge OF the honorable and elevated
sentiments which belong to the human heart. Bat IL was
well remarked, think by Sallust, or some OF those
old Roman writers. that Cesar once said IN the Roman
Senate that there any course OF measures
which had brought ruin upon country which al their
FIRST outset dn spring from some good motive, and in
the initiative intended 10 accomplish some good end
Seeing then, MIR President, think do, that the step
which Is asked oi 10 take may lead TO the unpleas
ant and dlsagretabe consequence 10 which have al
uded, cannot for myself, vote Tor this resolution.
beg to cay, before going further. that in the illustra
ton have selected for The purpose OF conveying 10 the
Senate the notion which have Of the evils to which we
may be subjected, DO not mean at all TO intimate that
these gentlemen whom this resolution refers to be-
in any single instance ooniopnded with the Chrisuana
rioters that have mentioned Far otherwise intended
no such thing II wa unpleasant comparison but
selected il ILLUSTRATION Of the principle upon whIch
we may hereafter he assaed through proceeding insu-
tuted by ourselves
The honorable senator from New York, IN the re-
marks he has Submitted to the Senate this morning, alter
assuring us that there was no danger that Great Britain
would take any offence al this proceeding, becomes ex
ceedngy bold and holds 10 very slight regard and esu
nation any offence or any serious dispeasure OF that
mower Well Mr. Pres dent, not very valiant
man and confess myself TO have large share OF that
extreme reluctance well 10 cutting the throas Of other