Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-01-21


which know he would have promptly accepted and then
this House would have Clone itself honor by prompt
ceptance of them from his hands, and by passing them
without all this deiberation. The time will come when the
will be further discussed unless indeed
the signs yesterday signify that have already done
with it. shall hope then to take part in the debate
That will be the proper time to consider how far koszta
was entitled to protection American citizen
how far his inchoate citizenship gave him claim
to protection In my opinion, If it did not give him
perfect claim, it gave him claim on our humanity
which perfect if not citizen. Ii may have given
the claim Of citizen however 1t is clear that the Sec
reary of State is himself fully satisfied that point
in recent he seems to have departed from
that decision Let it be distinctly understood however
that this not upon Austrian soil he had moth
ing to do with the Austrian Government On that ground
and that alone, if am to make reference to Kosztas
political position should take the stand that have
taken in behalf of these resolutions.
will occupy the attention Of the House in attempt
ing to discuss it. 1t is that appeals to our feelings
Amercans it is that appeals to the repre-
sentatyes of Americans 1t is question whether this
man or that man bore with him perfect claim to de-
fence but it is question whether the flag Of the United
States streams in vain in any quarter of the world whe
ther tho oppressed and suffering of the world may
claim exception from that species Of tyranny to which
this man was exposed; and, consequently, whether
ought not cut of serespect dignity the legislation of
this body by showing that prove that have the
virtue appreciate and approve and applaud, and
far as possible reward action which reflects credit
at home and at every place where it is discussed in
ference to the navy of our country. .
had an opportunity, sir few months since, to listen
abroad discussions this very question, and though
men doubted whether might not involve ourselves in
difficulty in undertaking to defend citizen whose claim
had been fully establishedone who had only lodged
with his intention to become ctZen-sti they be-
eved that humanity and the progress of human rights
Justify the action Of Capt Ingraham and call for ap-
plause When the law Of nations comes again to be dis
cussed, shall perhaps hear Of some new Pufendorf,
some new Vattel, some new Grohus IN our country
~ pnf
fairs in our country, demand that there shall be
provision in that lava proviso which we never Will
to enforce by all the means which humanity and
power place in hands. ! trust that this House will
adopt the resolutions once and vote down the motion
refer them to the Committee of the Whole the state
of the Union
The previous question the motion to refer again
called for and not seconded. ......., ST,
Mr.. PHILLIPS. shall vote for the resolutions which
have been reported from the Committee Foreign Rea-
tons do SO because they the best which can get
At the tme must confess that most if not all,
that good in the original resolutions has been emas
cuated Sir, we called upon to vote for another
compromise from this committee We are called upon
not voices in favor Of any principle, but in
favor of resolution from which every principle has been
excluded-a compromise between the members of the
committee by which unmeaning resolution shall be
cast before this House for its concurrence and its action
Sir, agree with the sentiment expressed by the gen.
teman from Georgia. Mr HILLYER that it must be evil
dent to this House that Captain Ingfaham deserves
action, officer Of our navy, correct American
principle ~. ',... ..., ~.
Now understood from the chairman Of the Committee
Foreign Affairs that they had studiousy drawn these
resolutions with view exclude from them every prin
cipe involved in this case and make the
question of personal thanks for the performance Of
of gaantry upon the pa,t of an American officer.
Mr.. BAYLY, of Virginia. The gentleman from Ala
bama (Mr. PHILLPs) will allow o moment to explain,
as he misunderstands me- did not say that we had
cuded every question Of principle from these resolutions
said had excluded all debatable propositions that
approved the act without undertaking assign the
reasons for that approval. s... "....
Mr.. PHILLIPS. do not misunderstood the gentle
man, and have not misrepresened him, have not in
tended to do so in reference to what he stated The
gentleman repeats that these resolutions framed
exclude from them the involvement of every principle
in reference the rights of citizenship upon the part Of
Martin Koszta. ! did not misunderstood him.
Now sir, would ask why it is that this House is
acting upon this question? They responding to the
great in the heart Of the American people upon
the subject 1t is not matter which originates
here. We but acting out and rejecting the public
opinion displayed elsewhere And what was it that
created this great in the American heart Will
any gentleman upon this foorw the eloquent gentle
from Pennsylvania, (Mr CHANDLER,) who has just
taken his seat-tel me that the movement in the Amer
heart out of the simple fact that American
officer had nterfered to release from Imprisonment for
egner? Was this the first time that such interference
has taken place. Is it. extraordinary Of humanity
Is something novel in the history of naval affairs
No. sir; gentlemen upon this floor and elsewhere must
recognise the fact that the act of Capt lngraham
connected with principle, with the principle Of proec
ton and that protection founded upon right, and that
right the right of citizenship
Now, sir, it seems to me that can reduce this
great question down to the simple insignificant question
to which the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr CHAyD-
LER would reduce it, and tell that the American peo
pie moved from end Of the Union to another and
that called upon to respond to that movement
when the whole of this to be placed upon the
act ofhumany in relieving prisoner from bondage?
Now, say regret most sincerely that the Committee
Foreign Affairs did not take up these resolutions and
put them upon the elevated basis upon which they
placed when they originally introduced here re-
gret that the Committee Foreign Affairs have permit
ted themselves by any spirit Of compromise among its
members to reduce great national question down to
trivial, contemplate question of personal thanks
for personal act of gallantry. say and with some
confidence too, that Capt Ingraham had right to in
volve the who under his charge involve the
property of the Government which under his charge
to hazard the peace of this country which in his
keeping for the mere qualification Of any personal feel
ngs What right has an officer of the navy to hazard
not only his personal safety and that Of his but
to hazard the peace of twentythree millions of people
for the sake of gratifying any personal feeling Of
his? When officer of this country acts he must act
upon his responsibility officer He must discharge
his duty according to the law which governs his office
Can any man by his conduct American officer haz
ard the peace OF his country upon any other ground than
that he was acting in accordance with the principles Of
the Constitution and the laws his country Take away
that foundation and say to you far as we are con-
cerned that vote of censure would be appropriate
than vote of thanks.
The thanks Of this Congress to Capt Ingraham must
res and rest alone, upon the act of Capt ngraham in
the simple discharge of his duties Amercon officer
having intelligent reference 20 the laws ond Consu
on OF his country Whence arises this extraordinary
feeling which, it me- for the first time has made
its appearance here Whence arises this extraordinary