Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-06

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
TUESDAY, Dee. 8. 1854.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 1884.
After our paper went TO press yesterday, the re-
solution Of Mr. SoLLERs came up in the House,
and on motion TO refer It to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, the following interesting debate
ensued:
Mr.. SELLERS said that In offering this resolu-
ton he had not the slightest desire OF finding fault
with the administration or our ministers abroad
II ever he had disposition to strike blow at the
administration, il was not in the present moment
of its weakness and helplessness Although he
had no love or admiration for it, he was full Of ten
der passion. Uaughter) There was almost a
general curiosity from one end of the country 10
the other to know for what purpose the ministers
met. 1t would be conceded it was almost an I'M
precedented movement No such meeting had
ever been held before. When the peculiar char
acter OF him who 1t is said was at the bottom OF
this matter is considered; when II Is understood
our minister TO Madrid was the person who called
the meeting, there is just and well.founded suspi
cion, not only as to the proprety, but the danger
GUS character Of that conference.
1t may be thought this movement had for its OBJ
ject schemes of fllibustering and territorial ag-
grandzement, calculated to create new discords.
He trusted this was not the object for which the
ministers met but that the conference was for
some pure and patriotic motives. Give us light
Would the friends Of the administration withhold
from the country that which this House>haye
right to demand? The day for court intrigues has
gone blythe people want to know what those in
whom confidence has been placed by the govern
ment have done--hence he had offered the resolu-
tion
Mr. BAYLY regretted his friend from MARYLAND
introduced the resolution so early in the session.
He thought it was premature. In his opinion there
was nothing in that conference to alarm the coun-
try---if such a meeting has taken place. On the
contrary considering the state of affairs in Europe
and the unsettled condition of every nation on
earth, he was not surprised there should be con-
ference.
tits not at all unusual for our representatives to
confer with one another by written communica-
tons. In fact it is part of their instructions to
do so. 1t is their duty constantly to keep one
another advised of the proceedings at the courts to
which they are respectively accredited If they
are required to resort to written communications
what improperly could there be in meeting at
some convenient place to talk matters over, and
exchange views with that freedom which is more
easily INDUCED in conversation than in formal writ
ten communications. He repeated, the resolu-
ton was premature.
He thought the Presidents message conserva-
tive, and admired it because being a conservative
in our foreign affairs, he could cordially cooperate
in the Presidents views. He thought the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs have heretofore given
evidence that it is conservative at any rate and
with the resolution. He moved it be 50 referred.
Mr.. WENTWORTH, Of Illinois, said, when the
resolution was introduced yesterday, he voted
against it because he thought it premature, and
the House had not then heard the Presidents mes
sage, which they had right to suppose would give
fair exposition Of our foreign affairs With the
gentleman from Virginia, he endorsed the message.
1t is right, and the country viii sustain the Pres
ident. Were the presidential election to come off
tomorrow with all the isms which prevail, the man
adopting any other foreign policy could not be
tanned. We hear rumors of our ministers abroad.
We see men writing addresses and appeals, coun-
selling what should and what should not be done.
He did not know whether those documents are true
FALSE but for the credit of his country he hoped
they were forgerics 1t is the duty Of the Presi-
dent to inquire whether they are or not. He pre-
sumed the President has inquired. From the fact
that he has not dismissed those men, it was pre-
sumable those documents are forgeries, and that
all we hear is false, as the credit of the govern
ment requires it should be. He hoped, if foreign
ministers, after seeing the Presidents message, diff
fer from him. they will come home, leaving foreign
affairs alone. If they believe with the President,
he hoped they would try to strengthen themselves
with the foreign governments in order to preserve
with him honorable and pacific relations. He de-
sired the reference of the resolution as proposed.
Mr.. GRAY remarked that this was mere resolu-
ton Of inquiry and did not require the President
to communicate anything that is detrimental to the
public interests There Is great anxiety to know
something of the origin and results of the confer
ence at Ostend. The House could pass the resolu-
ton without rejecting on the Committee Of For
eign Affairs. The country ought to have the facts
The gentlemen from Virginia and Illinois say the
resolution is premature. But ifthey knew the facts
they ought to consent to the passage of the resou
ton, in order that other members Of the House may
be made acquainted with them.
Mr.. BAYLY interrupted pledge my word of
honor don't know that such a conference has tn
ken place. or IL so what they did, or who instruct
ed them what to do.
Mr.. WENTWORTH explained that he meant the
introduction of the resolution premature before
the Presidents message was read.
Mr.. WASHBURN, Of Maine, thought the reso-
luton such as should be at once adopted by the
House. Notwithstanding what was said by the
gentleman from Virginia, the meeting ut 0stend
was unprecedented in fact and spirit When, be-
fore in our history, has there been conference of
ministers with such parade and flourish Of trum-
pets, and some Of those ministers foreigners by
birth.
Mr.. HILYER was Of opinion that the informa-
ton sought by the resolution should be given to
the country.
Mr.. PHILLIPS said they should only act when
they had something substantial TO act upon. Who
has said that the President or any other officer OF
the government, ever directed such meeting of
our ministers at 0stend. II was not consistent
with the dignity Of the House TO offer such resolu-
ton. Is every idle rumor and piece Of newspaper
gossip to excite our grave attention--we ought not
file mere fishing bills Of inquiry, to know whether
such facts exist. There is no evidence that the
meeting has resulted in anything II any meeting
at all has taken place. They have nothing but out
Of door gossip. He was willing TO refer the reso-
luton to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. BAYLY remarked that If thus referred, the
committee would report back the resolution.
Mr.. LETCHER said he would vote for the resolu-
ton as STOOD and should vote for IT. II something
more we're added. He was satisfied, from the tone
of the public journals, and conversations among his
constituents that there Is disrust about our min
;star al Madrid He desired the facts In po beforc