The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-01-04

~. 7 would have had him leave nothing at tina
point to the discretion of the French CONSUL or o
any other consu-to the discretion of the French
Government, or any other Government. l woulG
have had him hold terms and enter into M
| treaty whatever with kidnappers. Keszta was ar
American subject-a kidnapped American subject
As such, sir, the American Government was
bound to set him uneonditioaaHy free. But Cap
tam Ingraham represented the American Govern
ment on that occasion--nay, fdr that occasion, he
lcas the American Government.
Perhaps, sir. for saying what have said may
appear inconsistent in the eyes of some of my
peace loving friends who know my opposition to
all war. And yet justify Captain Iugraham.
believe in the propriety of national armed police;
and l believe that here was an occasion for using
it. But this is not to believe in war. Captain In
graham not ready to make war upon Austria
Captain Ingraham did not threaten Austria with
war. Captain Ingraham properly had nothing at
all to do with Austria. with the Austrian consul
It would have been an insult to Austria aud to her
authorities, had Captain Ingraham charged Austria
or her authorities with authorizing kidnapping.
Captain Ingraham had to do only with kidnappers,
who were restraining Koszta of his liberty; and
all he had to do with them was to compel them to
set Koszta Internationally tree-was 10 compel
them to make an immediate aud unconditional sur
render of their prey. say nothing of our minis
ter, Mr.. Marsh, for the reason that do not GER
tainy know whether he is justly represented, or
how the Administration view his conduct.
I know, sir, it is said that Koszta was not an
American subject. But our able Secretary Of
State has argued triumphanhy, that, in the light
of international law, he was an American subject.
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
trary, nevertheless, by the superior law of reason
and right Koszta was an American subject. l
wish he had gone on to say, that when foreigner
finds his home in our country, and abjures ailsgi-
ance to the Government he has left, and places
himself under the protection of our Government
wish he had gone on to say, that if international
law will not suffice to justify in arording him
protection, american law shall 1t is high time,
Mr.. Chairman, that America had based her justi-
icaton in such cases on something more subs,an-
tial and more certain than the conventonalisies
and worm eaten codes of Europe. 1t is high time
she had placed it the everlasting and immutable
! laws of justice.
l may be asked, sir, whether, in foreign
or charged with an offense should escape to our
country, would allow him to shelter himself un-
der an cath of allegiance to our Government? l
| answer, sir, that would not allow the Govern
ment he had left to kidnap him. nor would | allow
any to kidnap him. l would have that Govern
ment make respectful appeal to this Government
for his exiradtion. And add, that I.vould have
our own Government the sole judge of the fact
whether he was charged with 6ffense and,
aso sole Judge of the fact whether, if charged
with an offense, the offense is real and essential
crime, instead of merely conventional and nomi-
nal one.
But, sir, it is said that Captain Ingraham invad-
ed the rights of neutral State. have always
regretted that Secretary did not positively deny
this. I admit that denial was not needful to his
argument, but yet the denial would have done
good. No, sir, Captain Ingraham did not violate
the rights of Turkey; America is not to be charg-
ed with violating the rights of Turkey; but Tur-
key did violate the rights of America. She did
this because she did not afford to Koszta the pro-
lection due from her. If Turkey is not fairly
chargeabe with permitting Koszta to be kidnapped,
nev srtheess she is fairly chargable with permit
ting him to remain kidnapped. 1t is all nonsense
to talk of Captain Tngraham having invaded the
sights of Turkey. He did not invade them, if, for
| no other reason, than that Turkey had rights
in the case to be invaded. 1 bold that the only
ground upon which neutral power claim re-
spect at the hands of begereuts is, that the rights
of such belgereDts, so far as that neutral Power
| is concerned, are protected. Turkey had no
rights in the case, because she suffered her laws
to be silent.
Now, hold that when neutral State shall
forbear to do justice to beigerent, that belliger-
ent may, upon the soil of that neutral State, do
Justice to itself. hold that when neutral State
omits to use her law to protect the rights Of a
bellgerent, that beligerent may take the law into
his own hands and trust, if Turkey shall here
after be guilty of suspending her laws in such a
case as this that she will find some brave Captain
Ingraham stepping forward to supply her lack of
| laws.
| But may be asked whether would have had
Captain Ingraham fire into the Austrian ship? l
answer, that would have had Captain Ingrahana
set Koszta uncOnditicnaliy free, at whatever ex-
pense or peril. But here will be frank enough
to admit, that had the rescue of Koszta cost a
single life there would have been blame; and
blame would have rested. not uron the Turks and
| Austrians only, but upon own countrymer
also; for, let us be honest with ourselves, an6
make the confession, that not our own country
nor any other country the face of the earth, il
so identified with justice, in the eyes of the world
as to make its character for justice an effectua
substitute for violence-as to make its character
for justice, in word, sufficient power for obtain
ing justice. Were our country and our Govern
ment proverbial for wisdom and goodness tbs
world over; were our love to God and man know
and read of all men; were all the world to SCI
that Government acts upon Christian principles
both at home and abroad, then no nation wouIc
wrong US, and no nation would consent to see III
wrongrd. In that case, sir, if one of our subject
should be kidnapped, as Koszta was. he woult