Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. IX.—February, 1851.—Vol. II.Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. IX.—February, 1851.—Vol. II.
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
The Political Intelligence of the past month is of less than usual
interest. In our last number we gave a very full analysis of the various
documents transmitted to Congress at the opening of the session. The
proceedings of that body have been comparatively unimportant. One or two
motions have been made in the House of Representatives for the purpose
of inducing action on the law of the last session concerning fugitives
from labor, but they have been rejected by large majorities. All the
indications, thus far, clearly show that Congress is disposed to leave
the several measures of the last session, relating to slavery, entirely
untouched. There have been discussions in both branches upon the
construction of a railroad to the Pacific, upon the land titles of
California, and upon other projects of more or less importance: but as
no decisive action has been had upon them, it is not necessary to make
further reference to them here.
While the issue of the Hungarian contest was yet doubtful, President
TAYLOR dispatched Mr. A. DUDLEY MANN to Vienna as special agent, with
instructions to watch the progress of the movement, and in case of its
success to recognize the Hungarian Republic. Any such action was
prevented by the overthrow of the Hungarian cause; but the Austrian
Chargé at Washington, Chevalier HULSEMANN, took occasion of the
communication to the Senate of the instructions given to Mr. Mann, to
enter, in the name of his government, a formal protest against the
procedure of the United States, as an unwarrantable interference in the
affairs of a friendly power; and as a breach of propriety in national
intercourse, jeopardizing the amity between the two countries. He took
special exceptions to the epithet _iron rule_, said to be applied to the
government of Austria, to the designation of KOSSUTH as an illustrious
man, and to "improper expressions" in regard to Russia, "the intimate
and faithful ally of Austria." He said that Mr. Mann had been placed in
a position which rendered him liable to the treatment of a spy; and
concluded by hinting that the United States were not free from the
danger of civil war, and were liable to acts of retaliation. To this
protest a most masterly and conclusive reply was furnished by Mr.
WEBSTER. Seizing upon the fatal admission of Mr. Hulsemann, that his
government would not have felt itself constrained to notice the matter,
but for the Message of the President to the Senate, he showed that in
taking exception to any communication from one department of our
government to another, Austria was guilty of that very interference in
the affairs of a foreign power, of which she complained. But waiving
this decisive advantage, Mr. Webster went on to show that the conduct of
the United States was in perfect accordance with the practice of all
civilized governments, and Austria in particular; that the epithet "iron
rule," applied to the Austrian government, did not occur in the
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