The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-03

government and people Our government has credited he
disclaimer Of the British government OF any intention 70
violate our laws or our sovereignty and In my opinion
has gone quite far TO say the least oil AS inc ae Jus
dfy but yet Mr. Champion has placed himself IN very
The misfortune Is that in our diplomatic intercourse
with England she is prone to adopt vocabulary OF her
own or rather to afx new meanings to ois words que
tells us in effect that enlistment now does not mean
as il formerly did enlistment for military services and
as common tells you II does but that ~ means mr.
ing man 10 perform railroad contract IL Is an mus
tration of the position that occupy does not mean
but that you shall not hereafter acquire
land IT. Mr.. President you should make contract tha
after given day you will not occupy any land IN GER
tain district would suppose 1t meant what IL ex
pressed and that after that day you must cease your occu
patton there Not SO, says the British government u
quite another thing-that you shall not thereafter
acquire any land within the prohibited district but you
may hold what you previously possessed or IN other
words, that occupation means acquisition enlistment
has got to be different thing from what 1t formerly
We told that IL is no violation oil our laws OF
sovereignty TO hire and TO pay their expenses to go
TO Halifax under the pretext OF railroad contract ana
with the understanding that they are then TO enlist INTO
the British army If the law be thus avoided 1t Is not
worth a straw L think that, under the circumstances
which have been developed, Mr.. Champion is useless IN
this country diplomatic agent say tins without
the least intention of utcrng harsh word In relation 10
that gentleman who doubt thought he was serving his
own country while violating the laws OF ours but re,
peat that the moment this government informed tha Oh
Great Britain that its minister here was unaceepaDe ne
should have been gracefully withdrawn without hesita-
ton and without complaint
Mr. TOOMBS. ! concur in the last remark OF the sena-
tor from Michigan; but we have got beyond that pont
and think the result is unfortunate one. When rose
before only for the purpose OF expressing my dsap
probation of this unfortunate result of the controversy
did choose into the enlistment question pending
between the two governments because differed from my
own. think that matter has been pressed to point
rather of peoggng than of craftsmanship do not con-
in the extent to which our government has gone 10
constituting neutrality laws. do not think the Brit
ish government has violated them in anything which
has done have heretofore RETAINED from an expression
og bio oubia he
going on and now that they have been terminated,
take this occasion to express my dsapProbaon OF the con-
sructon placed by own government on the neutrality
laws of the United States
Mr. BUTLER | think, with the senator from Georgia,
it is very unfortunate that the British minister has been
dismissed after this protracted correspondence Du-
ring the time when the allies and Russia engaged in
war it was highly proper for the United States to say
Glands OFF, far regards people in this con-
rovery, and especially in my opinion as we had every
at that time to concate, at least not to offend
the Russian government After that occasion has passed.
when the subject has been lenghly discussed and every
thing is the ebb think this is hardly proper
do not say that the British government has right to
take exception to it, but would much prefer to have had
the thing done at once not at all know no reason
why the two governments should be involved in CONNER
cia difficulties and retaliation much less in war; II the
sword is to be drawn should regard as great eaam
y do not hesitate to say so. would avert it. as far as
could, by my counses; would avert it, far as posi-
bly, could consistently with the honor of my country
The British minister has been dismissed and suppose
the developments will afford what government consid
which pervades the correspondence of Lord Clarendon
Though have not read the whole of it, and the tone
which to pervade the public mind in both
countries this will be looked upon inopportune time
for the dissolution of diplomatic relations with Great
Britain, am sorry to say that such is my opinion J
know the sage cpunsels of my fri,nd from Michigan will
go very far and his remarks may make impression
the public mind in Great Britain where mine perhaps will
drop do not say that government is not
justified only say that think it has chosen very in
opportune time.
Mr. MASON | do not mean to continue this converse
ton flor it is such) further than to add very few words
understood the senator from Georgia to say that in his
Judgment the laws of the United States had not been vio
lated by the acts OF the British minister in the enlistment
matter.
Mr. TOOMBS. Yes, sir.
Mr. MASON If his judgment be right of course there
not only ground for dismssng the minister but
no ground whatever for complaint 1t is then, question
of fact which will 60 to the country and the country will
decide whether the senator from Georgia has taken
view Of the facts shown by the evidence whether
the correct view has been taken by the administration
But suppose the senator from Georgia will admit that If
the fact be otherwise and IL the British minister by his
conduct here did violate the laws of this country the
ton Of our government upon it, whether delayed too long
or not was rghtful
from the senator from South Carolina who know looks
closely any other senator to the honor Of the country
He says he thinks the conduct of the may be
justified. Sir If the government has done right Its
duct is to be sustained and appauded This the view
which take Of IT, The senator from South Carolina says
the time had by the was over the occasion for
conciliaory tone and that because Of the delays
II should have been looked rather as a bygone affair
Sir let the senator remember that the demand for the
call Of this minister made In despatch dated at ash
ngton the 25h Of December last which reached the
British government In about twelve days at the fur
thest and the reply was dated on the a0th day Of April
About four months elapsed between the date Of the demand
and the date Of the reply During that period Of four
mon tbs the ended. We not informed Of the
result Of this demand until four months had thus elapsed
The British government during that time sent TO Mr.
Champion to get his explnneton and engaged In
gotatng the peace All this satisfactorily explained
for delay. Our government is certainly re-
sponsible for that delay in any FORM
Then It results understand-such at least my i'm
preston of the posture Of the correspondencethat the
British government declared they gave instructions
which could be construed into purpose their TO
violate laws show disrespect to sovereignty.
They endeavor show that far the British govern
ment concerned IL has not been done They regret
that should have entertained such opinion They
dscsm it. II very well done the part of the British
governmentperfecy acceptable TO government and
declared most explicitly. As TO the Of the British
minister here the British government do than say
that the minister discaimed such purpose to them. Orr
government satisfied that although the minister did
dsclam IT, and doubtless dsclamed Il a fair and hon
orable mani do not TO question thatthe facts
main proven this showing that he did vio-
late laws In my Judgment therefore II this govern
men had failed 10 dismiss the British minister the British
government failing to recall him, they would have been
derelict In their duty
Mr. CASS. Mr.. President In my opinion we owed II TO
our position among the nations Of the world 10 dismiss
Mr. Champion. We could not have maintained our char
watching our course We demanded his recall when
England engaged In got satisfactory
swer The facts are all disclosed now In time Of peace
when the heavy pressure England is removed and Tor