Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-01-27
VOLUME "A.
Speech of Gerrit Smith.

most necessary-that, from the difference in
our temperament, our education, our pursuits
and our circumstance we should take differ
ent views of many subject, which comes be-
fore ms. But If we were only kind in ex-
| pressing these views, and patient in listening
to them, no harm, but on the contrary, great
good, will come from our discussions.
AS this is the first time | have had the
floor, it may be well for me. now to confess,
that am in The habit of freely imputing err
rors to my fellow-men. Perhaps, shall fall
! into this habit on the present occasion. 1t
may be bad habit. But it is not atoned
| for by the fact, that do not claim, that |
anu myself exempt from errors; that I nc
knowledge, that | abound in them; and that
| am ever willing, that those, whom | assai,
shall make reprisals? trust, Sir. that SO
long as shall have the honor to hold seat
in this body, may be able to keep my spirit
in teachable posture, and to throw away
my errors as fast as honorable gentlemen
around me shall convince me of them
| l have risen, Mr.. Chairman, to make some
! remarks on that portion of the Presidents
Message, which it was proposed, a few mo-
ments since to refer to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
The Message ndorses, full and warmly the
conduct of the Administration in the case of
Martain Koszta. For my own part, cannot
bestow unqualified praise on that conduct
Scarcely upon Capt. Ingraham can bestow
such praise. 1t is true, that honor him for
his brave and just determination to rescue
\ kosztas absolute liberty. | would have had
him enter into no treaty, and hold no terms,
with kidnappers. | would have had him leave
nothing regarding Koszta's liberty to the dis
erection of the Freuch Consul or any other
| Consul; to the discretion of the French Gov
eminent or any other Government. Koszta
was an American subject-a kidnapped Amer
lean subject--and hence the American Gov
eminent was bound to set him Immediately
and Internationally free. But Capt. Ingra-
ham represented the American Government
| For that occasion he was the American Gov
eminent.
For saying what have here said, | may
appear very inconsistent in the eyes of many,
who know my opposition to all war; for they
may regard Capt. Ingraham as having been
ready to wage war upon Austria-f.s having,
indeed, actually threatened her with war. But
Notwithstanding my opposition to all war, |
defend Capt. Ingraham's purpose to use force,
should force become necessary. / believe
that such purpose is in harmony with the
true Office Of Civil Government. hold that
an armed national police is proper, and that
here was fit occasion for using it, had NOR
al influences failed But to believe in this is
not to believe in war. 1t is due to truth to
add, that Capt. Ingraham should not be
charged with designing war upon Austria.
Why should he be thus charged He had,
properly, nothing whatever to do with Aus
tria, nor with the Austrian Consul. There was
of them, nor for his even thinking of either of
them. For him to have supposed that Aus
tria, or any of her authorities, could be guilty
of kidnapping, would have been to insult her
and them. He had to do only with kidnap-
pers, who were restraining Kostza Of his lib
erty and all he had to do with these kidnap-
perS was to compel them to an unconditional
and immediate surrender of their prey.
say nothing of our minister, Mr.. Marsh,
foa the reason that l do not certainly know
whether he is justly represented, or how the
Administration view his conduct
1t is denied in certain quarters, that Kos
TIA was an American subject But Secretary
Marcy has argued triumphantly that, in the
light of international law, he was. | wish
our Secretary had gone further, and argued
this truth in other lights also; | wish he had
gone on to say, that, if international law is to
the contrary, nevertheless by the superior law
I g - 4
subject l wish he had gone on to say, that
when foreigner finds his home in our coun-
try, and ahjures allegiance to the Government
he has left, and places himself under the pro
lection of our Governments wish he had
gone on to say, that if international law will
not suffice to Justify us in aAording him pro-
i, lection, 1ncrican law shall 1t is high time
Mr.. Chairman, that America had based her
justification in such cases, on something more
substantial anG more certain than the conven-
tionalities and worm-eaten codes of Europe.
1t is high time she had placed it on the ever
lasting and immutable laws of justice.
| NAV be asked, whether | would allow,
that the subject of foreign Government,
who is alleged to be charged with an offence
and who has fled to our country, can find
shelter in his oath of allegiance to our Gov
ernment' | answer, that would not allow
him to be kidnapped; and that, if his former
Government wants him, it must make res
pectful call on our Government for his extra
dition. | add, that | would have our Gov.
eminent the sole Judge of the fact whether
he is charged with an offence; and also the
sole Judge whether the offence with which
he may be charged is crime-a real and
essential crime-for which he should be sur
rendered; or merely conventional and nom
inal crime, for which he should net be sur
n rendered.
: A few words in regard to the charge ths
Capt. Ingraham invaded the rights of a neu
( trail State. 1t is to be regretted that the Sec
rotary did not positively and pointedly deny
, the truth of this charge. l admit, that Nc
denial of it was needful to his argument with
Mr. Hulsemann. The denial would, however
have been useful. No, Sir; Capt Ingraham
did not violate the rights of Turkey. But