The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF NON. LEWIS case,

Delivered ia the senate OF the United States Monday Jan
uary 2s 1856
orR RElArioss ,wIIB eKRAi hnrAIs.
Mr. CAsS. Mr.. PNFsinEsr No man who has read the
Presidents annual message fail that relations
with England are in critical condition IN that ahe aud
saesmsnike paper Chief Magistrate hes spread before
the country and the world statement OF our affairs with
various nations and especially OF our affairs with England
The whole exposition is plain aud comprehensive but II Is
with the latter only that have any upon the
present OCCASION and there find the facts true and clearly
stated, The principles urged with iores and justice, and
while the indeensble preensons OF Engand exposed
with power OF truth and which will carry oonyie
ton every uDprcudiced mind there ID of mness
peryadng the document and within the Limits Of proper
national county which becomes the constitutional repre-
sentative Of this great republic in It's Intercourse with The
other powers OF the earth.
And have read with qualification tho dispatches
which have issued from the State Department in relation
10 this controversy; and nd them marked with signal
ability 1t must be satisfaction the oouny that
its important interests committed to snch able
agement; and will add, of Justice that The
papers which have found their way the public that
department during the administration Of the present Secre
tary may voraby compare with the official papers Of the
most eminent Of bis predecessors
And fully concnr in the encomium pronounced the
other day ny the honorable from Delaware Mr.
CLAYTON himself competent Judge upon the distinguish
ed minister who has conducted negotiations the
Court Of London His letters to Lord Clarendon, and
pecially his statements first explaining case and next
examining the case OF England models Of diplomatic
correspondence clear, cogent conclusive and believe
have been read with pride and pleasure through the whole
country aud trus sir that the public press has already
conveyed 10 Mr. Buchanan evidence Of the appeca
ton Of his feow-cizens An American representative
abroad is often placed in positions of difficulty aud reso
sbii'y where the support OF his countrymen is not only
his best reward but his best encouragement have found
myself surrounded with such circumstances and Of
the proudest days Of my life was the day when information
reached me that upon memorable occasion had been
weighed IN the balance BY my eowcitizens and found
not wanting.
Entertaining the views have expressed Of the Prcsi-
dents message regretted to see in highly esteemed and
inat nf it,
terest for almost half century the National Integeucer
and for whose editors have personal regard
mens the tone and temper Of portions Of that docu
ment which seemed TO me marked with undue severity
OF criticism do not propose TO examine ther and refer
the article principally for the purpose of quoting single
paragraph Before doing SO, however, ask attention
expression which conveys forchle image but oneI
consider wholly napplicable 10 position. That
preston which contains much in little is that are
drifting into difficulties Sir 10 not thus understand
the circumstances with which surrounded In my
opinion noble ship upon her true course and our
pilot is doing bis duty If difficulties are before usand
believe they neither drifting towards them
nor they towards They designeGly placing them
selves In our way and IL would i'll become selrepect
or our honor 10 change our with view 10 avoid
them The mantnuyre, if resored TO- would be but
temporary escape, and should find that while had
lost our character we had gained the poor reoompnsc
Of safety for dishonor.
The lntelligeucer speaking OF warnings il had c ven
they warnings prompted by observation of the
increasing prevalence of spirit amongst the polii-
clans OF the day against uduging this martial propensity
10 much cOnhaence,
TO any administration, or 10 any party hereafter
which may show disposition to capital by foment-
ing national jars into national hates nursing into
OF war every advenuous dispute controversy great
SMALL such Of everyday in the family Of
nations, and from which the United States would in vain
bope tor any exemption
Sir sorry see these remarks in such Justly in
huental journal much account osthe language
for IL s guarded bat Of the spirit which per-
vades the article Should trouble come that paper will be
faithful coab,rer in its counrys canse but in the
time such inumntons unfortunate for they tend
doubts upon the motives Of public men and render
them dsrusied During many years have observed that
every one has been exposed TO similar impusons who
looked steadily al the proceedings of other nations and
prompt TO observe and denouuce injurious insulting
conduct towards us IL seems to be thought with
be the dictate OF caution If not Of wisdom that the public
eye and should be kept almost closed lest the country
should become sensitive and something might
happen though there could be anything worse than
national disgrace do recolect single controversy
we have had with foreign power since have been the
stage OF action when these ungacous charges have
TO weaken not 10 deaden the inspirations patr-
osm Certainly sir TO observe vigiianty the conduct
foreign nations towards country and expose their
injustice Is not 10 desire TO demand upon all
occasions The idea Is utterly unfouuded. Grave eyens
the gravest only justify h0sliiies but lar short q
such events may there be Others calling for examination
and exposure Il seems 70 noe, sir, that tie propen-
sity 20 doubt the justice Of is almost
American diosyncnsy, for DO not believe Il 1,
equally prevalent among any other people on tbs
face OF The globe. have than once before
been and shall DOW again be- exposed 10 similar oblo-
guy but neither It's advent its apprehension has de
TERED me at much earlier periods Of life will they de
Ter me nov, when life Is fast drawing towards Its close
from the expression OF hope that the American
name and the American fame will be maintained by the
American people with the brightness Of true glory und
minished by the commission OF single deed the os-
sion Of single deed which national duty may forbid o.
require have the consolation however, Of believing
that upon the present OCCASION appearance indicates
that In the Senate and Of the Senate unanimty OF
sentnen almost unknown in the history Of our country
viii accompany the efforts Of the government TO secure ths
public rights and honor.
Why sir 1t is all idle talk about desire 10 engage
The country in There is such desire or f there
be confined 10 portion Of the population so incon-
siderable 10 exert influence upon national course
Almost nobody wants But not 10 be avoided
by shutting our eyes TO the signs OF the times CRYING
"alls well when danger is upon The ostrich which
the desert aud hides It's head in the sand aring
knows not what and believing that IL be seen be
cause cannot itself see isas wise those politicians who
think TO avert avoid danger BY affecting he uferiy
ignorant Of ITS existence The way look II IN th,
face and 70 be prepared for it, This equally the dctai,
ofprudence and Of patriotism.
Sir, war has It's evis--and great indeed, they are
Many Of us know them BY personal observation and All
Know Them by history and tradition But there are evils
sui greater and among those is the forfeiture OF our own
scresPec aud the loss Of the respect the world IT.
eaaluon 70 our own experience. wanted any othef
proof OF the dire eaamt which brings "A is train
eshouid hnd y m the great coolest now going on upon
voc sno.es o' the od buxihe the early ofcvizaon
where three OF The greatest nations Of The world are en-
gagged in the deadiest conflict recorded in The long anna
OF human warfare from the FIRST battle aesrie m .oc,d
history when the four kings went ont aoa;nst ,ho m
kings 10 the vale Of Sddim, down 10 our dnv uov I'M,
mighty struggle Is TO end, when or with wba, ross
9nsnces 70 the combaants themselves or 10 the old hem
ispherc Il would be presumptuous even IA end d 49, !,
dict ~ J" P'e
A singular ootor,enfary ,,a, ~ t.o. :,