The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-25
WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY MORNING. JANUARY %, 1854.

the highest respect lie comes 10 the highest char
aeter which man can wear % aeiyized community
He comes 20 under he shield OF the law OF nations.
He is clothed ~ diplomatic chaFaeternot, indeed, ae-
edited 10 lhis country, but TO another country with
which we are at peace Tie bears with him, az under
stand autograph letter from the chief of his government
government with which are at peace and al whose
court we are represented BY near relative OF The sen.
| aor from Michigan. he comes 10 US in a still
| higher capacity, with a still stronger claim 10 our
pIotectionthat OF stranger, that OF peaceful tray
eler, that OF soourner who demeanS himself peace
ably among us, oeeying our laws, and trusting to be
himself protected by our laws Ii is surely not
cessary TO add iuItAe titles OF respect 10 those have
enumerated IL were would say that he is object OF
respectperhaps may say even venerauonlo the great
and powerful religious community 10 which he belongs,
and which IN this county, where have no religious
adjustments, stands upon equal footing with every other
community and every oher form OF our common Chris
tan belief.
Now, know nothing OF The anecedents OF this gen
tenan. | am willing 10 take them from the testimony
OF the honorable senator from Michigan Mr. CAssl who
tells that his Ieaiiyehe accredited representative Of
this government 10 the government oil which this gentle
man is the diplomatic ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS oil him IN
the highest terms as good citizen, as person justly en-
Joyng The confidence oil has government Now. priaa
face, what we want or ask Aad surely we all
know that since he has been in this country he has not
uttered word done an act that affords The color OF
luslhcation--rather let me say oil pTovocatoa-o
the unmanly assaults OF which he has been the object
Now, must say that do not believe any legislation
II there was any question ot legislation before uscan
be necessary extend such individual the proec
lion OF our laws II the public sentiment cannot Sc .
it 10 him, form OF legislation can do II. And
will not think SO neanly OF The pubic seni-
ment of this coantry TO believe that any Inr
Their legislation requisite to extend the protection OF
the common law OF the land which the rights OF
every individual 10 stranger, TO foreigner OF this
character coming among under these circumstances
Why sir il this not the stale OF things III this country
every individual concerned in these acts OF awess out
rage and every individual aordng them the least coun
lenance and the least projections guilty OF greater out
rage and greater assault upon the fundamental prnc
pies OF civilized society than is cLarged-and believe
most unusty, and most entirely without foundation
upon this gentleman. whose character has come be-
| fore the Senate. And if we cannot strengthen public
opinion and public sentiment the point OF ahordng
protection To stranger oil this character, should make
ourselves, II possible, citizens, men, than
thA stranger has been represented 10 be- though most
| upFisy, as believe, upon authority which has been
gwen us.
therefore rejoice that opportunity has been afford
ed 10 this Senate to do whatever be done by The
preston OF opinion on all sides q this chamber, 10
strengthen the OF the law by bringing to Its support
the powerful arm of public opinion and public feel
ing
part in this discussion. But it has occurred to my mind
that this body is liable sometimes to slightly well
other bodies. My opinion is that the business Of
this body should be IN relation to those SUBJECTS over
which il has jurisdiction find authority ia the
constitution OF the United States for the regulation of
public opinion by this body. the individual referred
10 by the distinguished senator from Michigan [Mr.
CAss comes 10 this country in political accredited char
acte take il Tor granted that he has reported himself
such 10 Secretary of Sale and that is the duty
OF this government TO protect him in his person II he
here his gious character, the shield OF our
situations is thrown over him every Stale Of this Union
has provisions in its constitution and lis laws for his
protection and should like to know what jurisdiction
this government has any one OF the States to put
down riots, punish rioters, or TO control her citizens
| am al total loss to know by what means 10
obtain jurisdiction over this matter regret as much as
any can do any violation oil law or any disrespect
shown to this stranger whatever be his mission yet
hold that this Is matter that belongs 10 the States them
selves 10 CONTROL and tina, they capable and compe
fer IN he pf
II has been said By my friend from Georgia, Mr.
DAWSON and correctly said, that according 10 reports IN
the pubic newspapers The outTages referred to have
been committed By foreigners, and not BY nauve- born
citizens He also sad tsat this individual could have
passed through the southern States unmoesed That is
undoubtedly true And how 10 account for this
thing Why, sir suppose that where ihef ou'rages
committed there number OF individuals. not
born, but foreigners, who suppose, whether IL be
true not that they have been subjected 10 the oppfes
sion OF religious moderation in The country from which
this gentleman comes, and that be The principal
in il. They may be mistaken; but whether they
not a matter with which have nothing
whatever 10 do In the southern States we have but
few foreigners. and il is in that way account for
the dferesce Of treatment 10 The different parts OF this
country which this gentleman would receive No doubt
those who have been engaged IN these ou,rages have
supposed themselves justbel in what they have done
But that is matter which belongs 10 the different
States in which these things have occurred, and with
which this government has nothing whatever 10 do
Now no right in the constitution that the Senate
OF the United States has to attempt 10 control public opin
ION, however OF me
here may regret the occurrence OF these things We hear
OF no outrage committed upon any OF our citizens,
foreign native -born-we hear OF no murder or
other violation OF law-that do not regret. But
that does not give to the federal government any
jurisdiction the matter. | tell you that there is
very great danger in forgetting that there
reign Sales, and that this government is OF limited
and delegated powers And with all due respec, those
honorable gentemea who hRk have jurisdiction over
this matter OF public opinion, beg leave most respect
lily 10 differ with them Public opinion will regulate
itself in the community where these ouirages have
CURED If, however, this individual is political dplo-
matte character accredited TO this 10 any other gov
eFnmen his being does not give TO the federal gov
eminent any jurisdiction local offences ia the diff
cal mission, but upon religious mission, he ls pro-
eced by the local laws OF every State il this Union.
Mr.. CASS. | merely wish to say few words in
gard TO the question OF jurisdiction upon which the hon
orabe senator from Mississippi MIR. ADAMs] has touch
ed in bis concluding remarks The object OF The inquiry
ascertain II this gentleman is clothed with diplomatic
character 10 this country, II he u.s. then we have egi-
maely jurisdiction over the matter, as the constitution
says that ambassadors, other public ministers and
sus, under the protection OF the United States gov
eminent We may find, If be is so accredited 10 this
government and his person ia so violated that there is
defect in laws, which gives iull legislation
this matter. That 10 legitimate subject OF inquiryin
the first place TO ascertain the position this government
holds his public character his diplomatic relation 10 this
government II he has any, and then we can Judge oil VIE
laws necessary to protect him IN that character
With respect to what the honorable gentleman has said
about public opinion, that is all very well Public opn-
ion does regulate itself in this country and discussions,
arising here elsewhere, think OF great service to
the country under the circumstances. They serve at
times TO enghlen public opinion, and more or less 70
direct IT, Tbs Is not ordinary case. The honorable