Washington sentinel., 1854-03-28
Kossuth on Consul sanders's Rejection.
No. 81, ALPHA ROAD, REGENT's PARK,
IaunoN M1reL . 1QhA

LONDON, Mdrch z, 1904.
HoSoRED Sir: The last steamer from New
York brought US the sad news that the Senate
of the United States has refused to sanction tn,
nomination of George N. Sanders as the consul
general of the United States in London.
As happen to know what an influential par
Mr.. Sanders had in the last presidential elec
tion and in the brilliant triumph of the demo
cratic party, and as we had here beside:
daily opportunity to see the zeal and energy
with which Consul Sanders has exerted himsel
to protect and to further the commercial inter
ests of the United States, and as we have hac
more than one occasion to witness the satisfac
ton with and the confidence in him on the par
Of his countrymen while here in their business
matters, as well as the general esteem Of al
which he had already gained, SO has the de
cision already mentioned of the Senate, as an
act void Of Sny foundation, been of o sort te
produce an utter astonishment with us all.
am, however, too much accustomed to respect
the principle of non-intervention in the internal
affairs Of any foreign country, to feel that
have any right whatsoever OF making any re-
marks on this much to be regretted affair.
But the affair has another, much more i'm
portant effect 1t strikes, in its consequences,
at the very foundation of our most sacred in
terests. mean the freedom of enslaved ma.
tions Of Europe, and the future of republican
principles on this continent.
The consul, Mr.. Sanders has in this respect
shown himself here a true republican, as man
of principle. He has offered us the, alas, very
rare spectacle Of an American statesman firm
by his republican principles, professed when
but simple citizen of his country, even in his
official capacity as functionary, and in all his
political, diplomatical, and social relations, as
an agent of his government. As consul Of the
United States he has proved himself q support
er of political exiles and true friend Of the
cause of European freedom. He was always
ready to render us all, who are working for the
victory of republican principles, such services
as were compatible with the duties and rights
of his position.
In word, as true and worthy representa-
tive Of republican America he has proved him
self, by public as well as private conduct, the
supporter Of republican principles. And this
was to MS service so much the more impor-
tant, as it is more and more evident that the
political state of Europe has reached crisis
which renders the renewal Of the struggle of
liberty against oppression near and unavoid-
able one Well, it would be, l am sure, an in
justice towards the people of the United States
not to assert that conduct similar to that of
Consul Sanders towards the republicans Of
Europe, in a moment like the present one,
merits not only our thanks, but also the conf.
dence Of the sovereign people Of the Union,
and that he has made himself well-deserving
in the cause of the honor Importance. and in.
terests of his nation.
1t is under such circumstances, sir that the
Senate has refused to sanction the nomination
Of Mr.. Sanders as consul The Senate has,
through this, its unexpected decision, given a.
severe blow to the cause of European freedom
We are, indeed, not only to be deprived of the
warm sympathy and active cooperation, which
Mr.. Sanders, in the circle of his legitimate
rights, has SO readily bestowed on us, but,
what is more the Senate has, by its decision,
given rise to comments of this kind; that it
repudates its former sympatliies for European
freedom, and that it wishes not that its agents
in Europe shall promote the triumph Of re-
publican principles.
/ am very far from believing that any MEM
ber Of the Senate had an idea to injure willingly
this cause when voting as they did, for, were
such the case one would be obliged to despair
about the vitality of republican principles
but it is not less fact that the decision,
though unintentionally, has done such injury.
The despotical cabinets Of Europe are in
high spirits over it. They consider it as
practical retraction and an eclatant revocation
of the principles contained in the inaugural
address of the President, and the Koszta note.
They affirm that the Senate has rejected Mr..
Sanders Just for the reason of his maintaining
most consistently his republican principles in
his social intercourse with the republicans Of
Europe. They take it as an assurance, an
evidence, that the despots of Europe have
nothing to fear, and that we on the other hand
have nothing to hope from the government Of
America and, while this elicits a scornfully
triumphant smile on the lips Of despotism, the
public spirit Of the enslaved nations feels OPP
pressed under it. And all this just in the
present critical moment, when the faith in the
republican sympathies of America was to be so
Such is the hard moral blow which the Senate
struck on European freedom.
Has the Senate, as am confident of it, done
this not Intentionally, so it is sad thing, that
this august body, in the foggy atmosphere of
paltry party interests had not calculated the
real effect of its act.
The remembrance Of American history and
the logical considerations Of consequences to
be deducted from the fundamental principles
of its State structure. would perhaps authorize
us to expect that America should help the
cause of freedom in Europe at least has ever
the actual President acknowledged it, that
America is yet debtor to Europe for her
liberty.
But even if she should not help us, so much
have we, at all events, to expect, that she shall
not damage us that if she will not be oith, at
least she may not be against US. To so much
we are entitled before God, the world, and the
history.
And yet America has damaged us; the SEN
ate, by its decision, inflicted severe blow on
ot,r cause.
From what have seen in America, have
the confident belief that the public opinion will
not have ratified this deed. / have been also
often told, while in the United States, that the
elected ones of the people deem it their duty
and highest honor to be the expressions Of the
popular will, SO that | cannot doubt that if
public opinion would, in constitutional way,
manifest itself with consistent vigor, the Presi-
dent of the United States would exercise his
privilege with pleasure by once more proposing
Mr.. Sanders as the American consul at London.
And the Senate, now conscious Of the politi-
ol oonsaopances of its refusal would sanction