The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-01


Caroline.
Nay more, the gentleman from Pennsylvania has
entertained with what to me 10 be very cap
tious comments the coup dessai Of Mr. Webster IN
diplomacy. lie is quite mistaken in saying that Mr.
Webster is the FlRsr Secretary of State, by many
who had had no previous diplomatic experience. 10
say nothing OF Others, what diplomatic training was
possessed 10y the fra Secretary Of State under Ten
eral Jacksonl And when the gentleman from Penn
sylvanla is considering the first great negotiation oil
Mr. Webster, how does he happen to forget the Ia
nous, or rather infamous, first great negotiation IN
dertaken by MIR. Van Burenl And Is Il not an ac'
OF mere madness, en- the part of the friends oil MI
Van Buren,, 10 compel as to compare the twol Here
Is despatch before us, addressed in controversy pc
tween the United States and Great Britain, contain.
ing of the ablest yndications OF the honor ana
integrity. OF the United States that was written
/ Mr. Van Buren, began, also with the discussion ~
the question between and Great Britain. And IN
what spnti-that OF patriot a man oil honor, ana
| an Americana Is not that despatch on the con
trary, a monument OF ignomny IN the history oi
the United Stales2 Instead of maintaining the inte-
rests of this country did not MIR. Van Buren,, on that
OCCASION utterly sacrifice tfeml Did he not dictate
in that despatch disposition of the great question oil
the colony trade between the United States and Great
Britain, which, from that time to this, has proved most
disastrous in its effects the commercial and nav-
eating interests Of the United States And pernicious
the object of the despatch, was not the spirit
of il infinitely worse2 In which for the first TIME
party quarres of the People ofhe United States
carried into our foreign ahairs-in which preceding
Administration was implicitly reproached for the zeal
with which IL had defended our nerests--in which It
was proclaimed that the new Administration started
IN the world with set purpose of concession towards
Great Brtain-in which the honor of the U nedStaes
was laid PROSTATE at the foot of the British throne
and the proud name of America, to sustain which our
fathers had carried on first and second war we
may have to do third-that glory which the arms OF
our enemy could not reach was, IN this trucking de
spach, laid low for the FIRST and trust in God, the
last time, before the lion of England.
Nor was that despatch solitary act-it was the
true index of the purposes which under the inspra
ton of MIR Van Buren,, characterized the policy of the
last Administration toward Great Britain For long
series of years prior to 1929 my colleague Mr.. Ad
ans either Secretary of State President, had
conducted the foreign negotiations Of this Govern
ment. lie not The man to sacrifice our interests
No right of the United States impaired or
lost in his hands. But the moment he driven
from power, change came over the foreign policy of
the country. That claim of the United States 10
equal reciprocity with England and her colonies,
which he had srenuously maintained was abandoned
al once. The title of the U nlted States TO the posses
sion OF the vast region watered by the river Columbia
hch he had defended, was left to its fate and for
the twelve years that ensued under the last Admins
tration not despatch or word was addressed 10
England the subject Mr. Adams had been pur-
suing the rights of the United States also the long
line of disputed boundary, from the Neebsh rapids,
the foot of Lake Superior north and west, TO the
Rocky mountains But that question: also, Mr. Van
Buren, and his party allowed TO 20 to sleep for ten
years until they driven TO ta.e it up by resolu
ton W hch offered in this House. And then worst
of all the series of blunders and concessions made
during the last twelve years in the question OF the
Northeastern boundary-it having taken one half of
that time to raise up the question, by discussion in
Congress and otherwise from the point of depression
to which il had been sunk during the other halt of 1t
10y the lmpolcy and impro> dence OF the then Admins
tralion which had much to do of petty party warfare
to give due attention to higher and more national in
terests, And might refer to other great questions
which mark in the same way the spirit OF c0nces ZION
towards England in all things which pervaded the
foreign policy of the last Administration the friends
of which come, at length 10 lie selzed with spasm of
patriotism in this matter just when they begin TO be
an Opposition.
! And now let me address single consideration to
the members of the Opposition, whether friends or not
of the last Administration, In reference To the party
tactics they disposed to pursue the questions
pending between the nited States and Great Britain
Ii is impossible observe the course this thing is
about to take. Whether read the newspapers OF
the Opposition, observe the discussions IN Congress,
aike apparent that they undertaking TO slim
ulate feeling in the United States, in the hope
of thus injurHg the present Administration aln
aware that there exists throughout the United States,
the present time vivid jealousy of the allencroach
ing the rapacous and the mercenary spirit of the TO
reign policy of England. am not unconscious that
the idea Is daily gaming ground OF an approaching ne
cessy the part of the United States to withstand
the conduct of England al the hazard OF the
not improbable event of ultimate war and do not
gre that the people of the United States thus yig
liant in relation to the acts of the only European power
IN contact with the United States. Blu, | do most
deeply regret to that party spin, is seeking pos
sess itself for sinister purposes, of the patriotic feeling
of the country and say to the Opposition, that If
they think to make any thing OF this party POINT
of view, they will find themselves deporaby mistaken
Gentlemen OF the Opposition will you undertake by
speeches here, impeaching the patriotism OF the Ad-
mnstralon, in It's management OF our relations with
England, Ia stimulate and madden the people Of the
United States into war fever against England /
say you do this ii you dare DO II at your peril
For whose control the issues of and peace
In yours or ours Is it not we who, if we hold in
one hand the olive branch Of peace yet grasp IN the
other the thnnderbot OF war; 70 be hurled 10y against
the enemies of our country, whnsoever the une for
action shall arrive Is IT not the Government of the
United States which, Ike the old Roman ambassador
may will shake forth from its robes the temp 5.
of war, dliuse through The land the tranquil inhu-
enccs of peace You may, if you choose, dave the
country into war, and the moment you d, so, you
render this Administration permanent and allpower-
full, and convert yourselves into wrctched, humble,
insignificant faction instead OF continuing 10 be a con
siuuonal Opposition. You would be, in such an
event forced by the OF the caseyou would
be mpclled by your own patriotism to support the Co
vernment of your country and Ivy such course of
opposition you would do than by all other
combined TO reDghen and consolidate the present
Administration, and to fix in the favor and support
of the people ofthe United States.
Having disposed of these incidental questions pro-
next To discuss the merits OF the controversy
Mr. MORGAN, Of New York, suggesting tia, it
wanting but few minutes Of the hour OF adjournment,
on his motion, the House adjourned.
FRlpAY, June % 1871.
The House resuming the consideration OF the reso.
luton Of Mr.. Floyd, in continuation OF the debate
Yesterday, Mr. CUSHING said:
In the hasty remarks this subject which submit
ted TO the House yesterday, commented the gene.
raj spirit of the speech OF the gentleman from Penn.
syvana, (Mr. lngerso and on sundry incidental
TOPICS introduced into the speech of that gentleman. J