New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25
WEBSTER SPOKE FOR GREECE
A NOTABLE GRAFTON IN THE HOUSE
sEvENTY-THREE YEARS AGO.


ard Greece in her struggle for freedom seventy
hye wears ago was intense. There was strong
public sentiment manifested in many ways. in
favor Of the extension of some kind of aid for
the little country in its struggle against TURK
1sh oppression. Public meetings were hello all
ever the country and Congress was piled with
memorials and petitions. There resulted from
this aroused state of American feeling a num-
Der OF striking speeches in Congress. which
clearly denoted the state OF the public nina on
this question. One Of the most noteworthy or
these speeches was that delivered by Daniel
Webster in the House of Representatives on
December 10, 1924. The question under discus
sion was the resolution offered by Mr.. Webster
some time before, as follows:
Resolved. That provision ought 10 be made
by law for defraying the expense incident to tho
appointment Of an agent or commissioner to
Greece, whenever the President shall deem 1t
expedient TO make such appointment"
Mr. Webster made the resolution a text for
general discussion of the burning question OF
the day His speech is reported in Thomas II.
Bentons Arrangement of the Debates Of Con-
sress" The report in that record is as follows:
Mr.. wEBsTER's SPEECH.
The resolution having been read. Mr.. Webster
rose and said that he was afraid that so far as his
rart was concerned the excited expectations OF tina
public mind on the present occasion would he dis
appointed. !; was difficult. on any occasion that
called the attention 20 spot on tho globe con-
nected with such associations ana recollectons rs
Greece. TO avoid some degree Of warmth and en-
thrsiasr- Yet no entirely sensible lh6. in
gravely legislating on the present subject those
feelings must be chastised. He should endeavor. in
what he had TO OFFER the House. to repress such
feelings as far as It was practicable; yet il we
would wholly escape from them We mus fly beyond
the limits OF the civilized world must 90 beyon1
the limits OF social ordor the bounds whers laws
and knowledge are found; nay, we must leave this
hall before We can turn away from tho memorials
Of ancient Greece.
THE AMERICAN QUESTION.
The question which is now to be discussed is the
American question in relation TO this affair. What
,s II hest for Us TO do In the present aspect of
things respecting Greece? Aud surely sir. this is
q question that comprehends something more than
a nero peouniary calculation. Whenever my MIND
turns TO that question cannot forget the age
live in. we'll as tho peculiar position OF our own
country.
At the CONNIE cement Of tho present session OF
Congress Mr. Webster said the President OF the
United States, IN the dschargs OF tho high duties
OF his station. deemed II incumbent upon him TO
introduce the subject TO tho consideration or the
National Legislature; and in his communication hs
had expressed an opinion that the-s was reason 10
hope that the Greeks would be successful In the
present struggle with their oppressors and that
the power that has long crushed them had lost
SIS dominion over them forever.
The age said he. Is a peculiar ore: 1t has
marked and striking character. and the position
and circumstances Of our country ara no less so
Had we enjoyed tho option. IN which period OF the
worlds history thus far disclosed. our personal
!ot should be cast none OF us. surely. would wish
10 have been born In any other time or in airy
other country. There has occurred no age that
may be compared with the present, whether in the
interest exc.,s by what now is. or the prospect 1t
holds out as to what shall be. The attitude OF the
United States, meanwhile IS solemn and impress
sive Ours IS now the great Republic OF the carthi
It's free institutions matured by the experiment.
OF half century; nay, as free Government IL
goes furthe. back-the benefits OF a free consulu-
ton have virtually been enjoyed here for two GEN.
turtles. AS a free Government as the freest Gov
eminent its growth and strength compel 1T. willing
or unwilling TO stand forth to the contemplation OF
tho world We cannot obscure ourselves II We
would; a part we must take. honorable or dishon-
orable in all that is done in the civilized world.
CIVIL IIBERTg AT STAKE.
Now. f. will not be denied that within the last ten
years there has been sgitated. in that world.
question Of vast moment-a question pregnant with
consequences favorable or unfavorable to the preva
lence nay to the very existence. OF civil liberty. 1t
IS question which comes homo 10 US. 1t calls on
US for ths expression of our opinion on tho great
question now before US Assuredy. II thers Is any
general tendency in the minds ard afairs OF men
which may be said 10 characterize the present aga,
It is the tendency 10 liuitei governments. Tho
ightened part Of mankind have very distinctivey
evinced a desire 10 take snare. at Least. in the
government Of themselves. The men OF this aga
will not be satisfied with kiCc masters. They
have shown Except where force has been inter
posed 10 crush them that they will not BE- content
without participation in ths government. This is
In ..,pa
o: this age that it can have escaped the obse'va-
ton Of none TO whom address myself. 1t canpo:
be denied that while thiB is the prevailing spirit
there an antagonist principle also III Work. This
cir. said MIR. w, Is state or things in which We
as q nation have, We mus, have, an interest. The
doctrines advanced land which are promptly sup
ported by great force go to pres rate tho noeItes
OF tho entire civilized world, whether existing under
an absolute, q nonarchical or republican form OF
government. They are doctrines which havs been
conceived with great sasacitys they are pursued
with unbroSen perseverance. and they bring 10
th-.s support a million and a half OF bayonets.
And here said Mr.. W, let me not be misund'r-
s,ood. / am not about 10 decla!m against crowned
leads. nor enter TRADE agains. other forms OF
government; but ask that the declaration OF the
Congress o. European Sovereign which is pronul-
sste1 tha; which is 10 form par: o. tho publ:
law OF civilized Europe, may be SUBJECTED TO close
TIE HOLY ALLIANCE.
Here. continued Mr.. w. IS a combination which
Is expressly pledged against all who set such an
eXsmols-A manifesto which sets Itself sgainJ,
tho whole course of tho human intellect-asaio5s
the character CT the age. and which would bring
US BACK d: once all the oppression OF tho feuds.
Aystom. Here ia doctrine which no writer, no diplo
matist winch oven no oourtier eve: thought OF a6-
vsncins. Sir said Mt w. il is fragrant innova-
ticn on the principles and practice OF the whole
civilized world. / hope. said he shall not be con-
s;dered as exaggerating the case. To convince this
I % h
that draw no inference that tho sovereigas them
solves have not drawn before me-permit me 10
refer 10 an occurrence thai took place the Con-
gress OF Verona. In speech made at that Congress
BY the French Minister, Chateaubriand he declared
that in q personal conversation with tho Emperor
OF Russia he had heard that august sovereign utter
sentiments which appear to him precious that
he Immediately FASTENED home and wrote them