North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-03-18
WAR.

CoNGREss.-Speech Of Mr.. PrcKENs
Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, in the House of Representa-.
tives -
Stop these sectional appropriations and
pursue just and liberal policy, and there
can be nothing TO retard the triumphal pro-
gress Of this Republic to future greatness
and power. confess feel my heart Q low
with warmer emotion, when look Tor
ward to the day when State after State sh II
Use from the unknown regions of the
I" far West,' and add star after star to the
banner Of our Union. / rejoice to think of
the day when the cotlager upon the banks
Of Rio Roxo, and the fisherman who casts
his net even upon the waters OF Arahasca.
shal! feel and know that they are brethren
citizens Of one common and united Re
public. Sir, when that period arrives, we
can then, in truth, say that the star Of
empire casts lis blaze westward. Then will
me American Eage rAuitinsIy onuH the
distant Pacific, ana take higher and bold
er flight, with redoubled vigor in his wing
and brighter glory beaming from his eve.
What was the situation OF the West in
the year 1902 !? 1t was comparatively an
unknown region +; region surrounded bv
Indian tribes, and in imminent danger of
invasion from Great-Britain. They then
looked to the old States for protection and
defence. But is such the state of things
now The Western country, which at
that time was "a infant colony, has now
sprung up into national existence and the
gentleman from Indiana, spoke to US of
The day, when they of the West would die
tate their own terms to this Union when |
they would have command OF this, and of
all ether great questions affecting the con-
ditlou and welfare OF the Republic. And
is ii right for us now 10 say, that this an
preparation is to be made to keep up The
defence and protection of the West
% Suppose tcar were 10 break out With
Great Britain tomorrow. The first toe.
san that sounded could proclaim the Ca
aadas enancipated from colonial vassaL-
ego Could we be invaded through that
sections Have we not already yeo.nanry
orce settled on the Ohio and Mississipi.
capable OF meeting the legions OF England
without any assistance from Us That
Great Northwestern Territory, which in
year 1902 had less than one hundred
thousand people, has now hearty three
Millions ; population equal to that of the
whole Union at the commencement of the
Revolution. !
The gentleman asks why appropriations ,
are constitutional upon salt water and /
lot upon fresh 7" II NAV be because they
ire connected with the national defence of t,
he country. 70 II is npon salt water :
hat we are 10 be attacked The next !;
'reat contest that is to come-and Ibeliere y
{ UiH come, sooner or Later-wiIl be deci~ !
ed on the ocean, and decided too
" steam power. 90 But appropri
tons, under existing circumstances.
the great change in the world a
nd the prospect Of almost a total change O
: modern warfare, even 10 Notifications a
7hich in the years 1916, 1918, and 1920.
'ere deemed necessary and proper con- il
der, at present, useless and inexpedient. a
appropriations for Notifications at leading v
oints where they may be necessary for /,
ne protection OF the navy, entirely an m
rove Of these, however, ought TO be al
onhnet to few great points. 10 Naval "
over, connected with steam, will here cI
tier decide the fate of empire among civil. nj
zed nations. Appropriations to. protect tc
or prevent the invasions of ter s.
tory, to defend those places where our II
atiles are to be fought; all these things
re included under general class Of sppro- al