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Leader (1850-1860), 24th January 1852, Edition Town of 2, Page 76

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      conscious majesty , controlled tile conditioirdf-tae-wowa and arrested mighty Kings in their ambitious march , thus , full of admiration and of reverence , I stand before you , legislators of the new Capitol—that ff lonous hall of your people's collected majesty . The Capitol of old yet stands , but the spirit has departed from it and , come over to yours , purified by the air of liberty . The ; old stands a mournful monument of the fragility of human things—yours as a sanctuary of eternal rights . 1 he' old beamed with the red lustre of conquest , now darkened by oppression ' s gloomy niRht—yours beams withYreedom ' s bright ray . The old absorbed the world by its own centralized glory—yours protects your own nation against absorption even by itself . The old was ^ awful is withhaving

      with irrestrictire power—yours glorious , restricted it . * At the view of the old * - nations trembled —• at the view of yours , humanity hopes . To the old , misfortune was only introduced with fettered hands to kneel at the triumphant conqueror ' s heels—to yourS i the triumph of introduction is granted to unfortunate exiles , invited to the honour of a seat ; and where kings and Caesars can never be hailed for their powers , might , and wealth , there fhe persecuted chief of a down-trodden nation is welcomed as your great Republic's guest , precisely because he is persecuted , helpless , and poor . In the old , the terrible vae victis was the rule ; in yours , protection to the oppressed , malediction to ambitious oppressors * and consolation to the vanquished in a just cause . And while out of the old a conquered world was ruled , you ,

      in yours , provide for the common confederate interests of a territory larger than the conquered world of the old . There sat men boasting their will to be the sovereigns of the world ; here sit men whose gl ory is to acknowledge the laws of nature and of nature's God , and to do that their sovereign , the people , wills . Sir , there is history in these parallels . History of past ages and history of future centuries may be often recorded in a few words . The small particulars to which the passion of living men clings with fervent zeal , as if the fragile fingers of men could arrest the rotation of destiny ' s wheel—these parti ( mlaTs ^ ie-awayT ^ Hs ^ e-is « u «^ wiich-makes-hi&tory , and that is always logical . There is a necessity ef consequences wherever the necessity of position exists . Principles are the alpha ; they must finish with the omega —and they will . "

      He recounted the story of his release ; he affectionately thanked the Americans for their generous interference ; he told again the story of his struggles , reverses , victories , and defeats ; he attacked centralization -with his customary force ; he made a touching allusion , in these words , to Henry Clay : — " One of your great statesmen—now , to my deep sorrow , bound to the sick bed of far advanced age—alas , that I am deprived of the advice which his wisdom could have imparted to me!—your great statesman told the world , thirty years ago , that Paris was transferred to St .

      Petersburg . What would he now say , when ot . Petersburg is transferred to Paris , and Europe is but an appendix to Russia ? Alas ! Europe can no more secure to Europe fair play . Albion only remains ; but even Albion casts a sorrowful glance over the waves . " a He described the state of Europe—terror ruling from Paris to Pesth—as a " sensible silence , " only disturbed by the rattling of Napoleon ' s fratricidal musketry and the groans of the martyrs of liberty in the dungeons of Europe . He made the following statement on the intervention , or , as General Cass picturesquely calls it , the " hands off" doctrine : —

      " Gentlemen , I know where I stand . No honour , no encouraging generosity , will make me ever forget where I stand and what is due from me to you . Here my duty is silently to await what you in your wisdom will be pleased to pronounce about that which public opinion knows to be my prayer and my aim ; and be it your will to pronounce , or be it your will not to take notice of it , I will understand your will , and bow before it with devotion—hopeless , perhapB—but my heart full of admiration , love , and gratitude to your generous people , to your glorious land . But one single word , even here , I may be permitted to say—only such a word as may secure me from being misunderstood . I came to the noble-minded DeoDle of the United States to claim its generous

      operative sympathy for the impending struggle of oppressed freedom on the European continent , and I freely interpreted the hopes and wishes which these oppressed nations entertain ; but as to your great Republio , as a State , as a power on earth , I stand before the statesmen , senators , and legislators of that Republic , only to ascertain from their wisdom and experience what ib their judgment upon a question of national law and international right ? I hoped , and now hope , that they will , by the foreboding events on the other great continent , feel induced to pronounce in time their vote about that law and those rights ; and I hjoped and hope that , pronounoing their vote , it will be in favour of the broad principles of international justice , and consonant with their republican institutions and their democratic life . That is all . I know , and Europe knows , the immense weight of Buo ' ha pronunciation from suoh a place . <¦ But

      never had I the impious wish to try to entangle this great llqpublio into difficulties inconsistent with its own welfare , its own security , ita own interest . I rather repeatedly and earnestly declared that a war on this aoooilnt by your country is utterl y impossible , and a mere phantom . I always declared that the United States remained masters of their actions , and under every circumstance will act as they judge consistent with the supreme duties to themselves . But I said and say , that suoh a declaring of just principles would ensure to the nations of Europe fair play in their struggle for freedom and independence , booauBO the declaration of buoIi a power as your Republic will be respeotcd oven where it should not be liked ; and Europe ' s oppressed nations will feel cheered in resolution and doubled in strength , to maintain the decision of their American brethren on

      their own behalf with their own lives . , There w an immensTpower in the idea to be rlghl , when tfcia-idea is sanctioned by a nation like yours ; . « 4 ; : » jM » »• foreboding future will become present , thew wan immense field for private benevolence and sympathy upon the basis of the broad principle of international justice pronounced in the sanctuary of your people s collective majesty . " -. . . ¦ ' He denied that he had ever said his mission , to America was a failure . This oration was most enthusiastically applauded . Mr . Webster followed Kossuth in responding to his own health . He made a long speech , but the pith was in the last sentence , which he gavje as a " sentiment . " " Hungarian independence , Hungarian control pf hex own destinies , and Hungary as a distinct nationality among the nations . ( Great applause . )"

      The next toast was—" The right of States , only valuable when subject to the free control of those to whom they are appointed ; utterly worthless to be determined by the sword of foreign interference .. Mr . Douglas responded . He said that the right of a nation to regulate its internal concerns was too clear to require , argument , and advocated the recognition of the independence of every nation as soon as established ; he deprecated the objection of despots to an interference in vindication of the laws of nations , on behalf of liberty , when they have always interfered against liberty . Whether he would interfere in any case would depend upon circumstances . He would never enter into an alliance with England to repress

      the Autocrat of Russia until she should have done justice to Ireland . Before interposing he would con * sider the consequences to follow , and the principles involved . There might be a case in which it would be necessary to their own safety to interpose , should Russia interfere again . Then we shall decide whether we shall interfere ; but in the meantime we shall do all in our power ^ itr ^ ustain ^ he 4 aancip leof international law . In conclusion he gave " Hungary- ^ when she shall make her next struggle for liberty may the friends of freedom throughput the world proclaim to * he ears of all European despots , Hands off , a clear field , a fair fight , and God will protect the right . ( App lause . ' ) .

      Mr . Florence , of Philadelphia , proposed the health of General Cass ; and the General replied . "It rejoiced my heart to see here this guest among us —the leader of his country ' s revolution , the asserter of the rights of man , and the martyr of-the independence of nations welcomed to our shores . { Applause . } Sir ( turning to Kossuth ) , the ocean , more merciful than the rod of tyrants , has sent you to a country of freedom and of ^ safety . ( Applause . ) That was a proud day for you * but it was a prouder day for us when you left the shores of old Hellespont and put your foot upon an American deck . Protected by American cannon , with the stars of our country floating over you , you could defy

      the world in arms . ( Applause . ) And , sir , here , in the land of Washington , it is not a barren welcome that I mean to give you—it is not a mere salutation , I am glad to see you ; ' but much further than that I am willing to go . I am willing to lay down the great principles of national rights , and adhere to them . ( Applause . ) I will not say , ' Craven be the man that does not respond to it ; ' for , thank God , we are in a land of liberty , where every man has a right to enjoy and express his own opinions in his own way ; but I will say that he who is not willing to respond , and in an effectual manner , to this cry of liberty from the old hemisphere , his heart does not beat like mine . ( Applause . ) No , my

      fellowcitizens . No ; I am for the largest liberty to the largest number over the whole face of the earth . ( Applause . ) My frienda who do not agree in that sentiment have no feeling in common with me . Now , I am willing to say and maintain that those despotic powers of Europe , when they put their hand upon Hungary and marched the Cossack and the Pandour upon the Danube , to put down the first flame of liberty , they offended against all laws of nations recognized throughout the civilized world . Well , gentlemen , I am an old man—( laughter , and cries of 'No , you ain't *)—but I tell you I am approaching my threescore years and ten . Half a century ago , I crossed the mountains a boy , on foot , and God be thanked for the institutions

      of this country and the favour of my fellow citizens that have given me the privilege now or maintaining human right in such a presence as this . ( Applause , ) The sun of heaven never shone on suoh a Government as this . And shall we sit blindfolded , our arms crossed , and say to tyranny , ' Prevail In every other region of the world ?' ( Cries q / 'No , no . ' ) I thank you for the response . That is my feeling . Now , my friends , I am willing to sav that ia the law of nations . ( Laughter and applause ?) Every independent nation under heaven has a right to establish just suoh a Government as it pleases . And if the oppressed of any nation wish to throw off their shackles , they have the right , without the Interference of anv other ; and the land which Was first freed by the

      Father of his country may sympathize with every other nation which unfurls the banner of freedom . ( Applause . ) And I am willing , as a member of Congreen , to pass a declaration to-morrow , in the name of the . American Eeople , maintaining that sentiment ( great cheering ); and will go home to my constituents , and if they disapprove of the act , as I know they won't , I will never oomo back here again * ( Laughter . ) I am willing to go further . I am willing to say that no nation under heaven , whether its chief magistrate wears a hat or a crown , has any right to interfere in the affairs of another nation struggling for human liberty- I am willing to make that declaration in tha name of the Amerloan people , and I am willing to Iqave it , the very moment when it is necessary to aot , to those who are to determine the course neceiaory to take ,

      under proper times and circumstances , as the case m » y jMcjHre jJ ^ l ^ toMf ^ yV ^ The ~ liiosp 1 itality ^^ Kogsuth ; and ; after a , little unimportant but hearty speaking , the banquet terminated . The last great banquet to Kossuth in Washington was given on the following evening , by the Jackson Democratic Association . Five hundredpersons wer © present , including all the leaders now in Washington of the Democratic party . Kpssuth a speech was , as usual , brilliant ; and he concluded by expressing a hope that England and the United States would forget and bury past animosities , and unite in giving liberty to mankind .

      Kossuth is now on his progress through the West He was to leave Washington on the 12 th for Anna , polis . Thence he will proceed to Baltimore , Cincinnati . St . Louis , New Orleans , Charleston * fcc . He will then return to Hew York , and visit Albany , Buffalo , the Falls of Niagara , and Boston , from which port he will sail for England . U Substantial Aid for Hungary " is the title of an article in the Philadelphia Ledger . It is a report of a meeting to devise means for rendering that aid . The speaker * were Judge Kane , Colonel Small , Colonel Page , the Honourable William P . Kelly , and Dr . Elder , who submitted a long address from the people of Philadelphia to the people of the

      United States in behalf of intervention . Judge Kane asked , «« Why then hesitate , since we have the right ? What do we fear ? Why not meet the crisis which , no ingenious policy can avert ?" There was no safety in cowardice . The prevailing conviction was , that the destiny of America was bound up with the destiny of Europe , and that it would be crime to stand by and behold quietly the infraction of all national law by the despotic powers . It was resolved , that Hungary deserved , and should receive , not only sympathy , but substantial aid . ColoS ^ nTalt ^ asked y- *^ mortal Jackson would have said tip ^ n ^ n ^ nfubjecTof

      non- intervention at this time ? * Halt there , Mr . Bear , this is none of your business ; we ' ll just draw a ring and show the parties fair play ; but if you do mix in , look out for yourself ; I'll be in , too * Tby the Eternal !'" The Colonel said war was inevitable . " We can forget our old grudges against England , " he continued ; " unite with her and whip all the despots of Europe , and make her a Republic afterwards . Let w * do it . " These picturesque sallies were received with tremendous cheering .

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      THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION . EXTKACT FKOM THE PRIVATE JOURNAL OF Alf OFFICER OF THE EREBUS . At Sea , June 18 . 1845 . About 900 miles east of Cape Farewell ( Greenland ) . My dear , —Nothing has been written for you these last few days—onot because I had nothing to say , or did not think of you , but because I have had plenty to do in the writing and calculating way ; and because , just as I was beginning to get paper and ink ready , I found I was in bed , and fell asleep . To-day is " Waterloo day / ' and we drank the Duke ' s health at Sir John ' s table . There was a talk before we left

      England of a brevet on this day ; if this be true , I think it more than probable that I shall get the rank of Captain . With this idea , I took a glass of brandy and water at ten o ' clock , which , allowing for difference of longitude , answers to half-past seven in London , and drank your healths , in petto— -fancying you might be drinking wine . In fact , we took an imaginary glass of wine together , and I don ' t care how soon we may take a real one . Now I am laughing , for Reid has just said , scratching his head , "W hy , mister Jems , you never seem tp me to sleep at all ; you ' re always writin 1 " I tell him that when I do sleep I do twice as much other people in the same time . Now for the journal .

      15 th . —Wind fair and strong , with a high sea ; but we carried on much sail—heeling over much ; and we actually fancy we went nine knots . In the evening it moderated , and the weather was clear and cool . 16 th . —Calm day , sea glassy smooth , cloudy weather , no sun . After breakfast I went on board the Terror , to see Captain Crozier about my " Fox' observations , ( Fox being a dipping-needle invented by him ) , Fairholme and Le Yiscomte followed in the India-rubber boat , which was being tried when you came to Woolwich . Crozier and JCittie , First Lieutenant , and Lieutenant Griffiths , the agent for transport , dined on board with Sir John . 17 th . —The sun shone out , and we had a smooth ,

      day ; air cold . Since the 11 th the thermometer on deck in the shade has never'been above 00 degrees or below 45 degrees , night " or day ; generally 46 degrees or 48 degrees . At night cloudy , with a bright ght on the horizon to the north-east , which . Gore says is aurora borealis , Reid calls it " ice-blink . I say it is the reflection of sunset , though it is northeast . It looks like a large town on fire , twenty miles off . To-day ( 18 th ) we set to work , and got a catalogue made of all our books , and find we have amongst us a moat splendid collection . The " crow ' s-nest" «• up—which is usually a oaak lined with canvas- —at the foietopmnut-head , for a man to « tond in to look

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      76 fffre frtnttet * ff ^*^

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 24, 1852, page 76, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1919/page/8/