The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-20

bled waters that they can foat--it is only by
exciting the passions of the multitude that they
can gain possession of their prejudices, and thus
control them.
But these men will fail in their attempt to ar
ray parties against each other upon this subject
Mr.. White. Of KY, handled this very ably in his
speech in reply to Mr.. Ingersoll and Mr. Ken
needy, on Monday. We quote the substance OF
what he said from the Intelgencer. We hope
his speech will be reported in full, and sent
abroad among the people.
MIR. W. adverted to the common sentiment en-
tertained by the people of the United States as
to their just and legitimate right to the Territory
Of Oregon, and denied Tin view of the allusion
which had been made to party divisions) that
there was any party in this House that enter
tanned, as debatab!e point, the right OF the
United States to that territory. In and out OF
this House, he contended, there was on that
point but one single opinion. Why, then, the
harrangue, why the clamor, which had been
made as to one side of this House being consid-
cred in favor Of this claim, and another side a
gaipst it? No such issue had ever been made.
There was no man here so disloyal to his coun-
try, SO craven to her honor and her rights as TO
contemplate, for moment, surrender OF this
territory to any foreign power.
The simple question before the committe was
not question of right, but question OF ex-
pediency-whether the Government should, al
this time, give notice TO that of Great Britain OF
the termination of that article of the treaty
which provided for the joint occupancy Of the
territory? This, and this alone, was the ques-
ton which the committee had TO decide
Mr.. w. took up the declaration of Mr.. lnger-
soil that Mr.. Adams and MIR. Clay had brought
the country into this difficulty. He adverted to
the origin of the treaty under Mr.. Monroe in
1918, and to its renewal in 1927 lin which form
it had received the concurrence OF MIR. Van Bu-
rem as constituent member of the treaty
ing power in the Senate;) and he demonstrated
that those who attempted to raise question OF
national honor out of the existence of this treaty,
did but in fact cast deep reflection on General
Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,, who had so long
held the reins of power, and consequently had
so long had the matter within their own hands
Mr.. w. disavowed any design to cast insinua-
tons upon any one, his argument being merely
to show that if culpabiity rested any where, it
would not be in the quarter where the gentle
man from Pennsylvania had desired to stamp it.
He justified the action of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and characterized, in strong
terms, the efforts that were made, founded on
the supposed gullibility of the people, to make
political capital out of this question; and he
foretold the failure Of the experiment. He ex-
pressed the regret he felt at the attempt to con-
vert this into party question, when it was
known that there was no difference Of opinion in
the House, out of it, as to the real question at
issue that all were for Oregon and the country;
and that whatever difference Of opinion there
might be as to the means or the time, there was
none as TO the right, whenever 1t became neces-s
sary to maintain it.
He asserted that England had violated no pro-
vision of the Heaty-had asserted no new RICH,
which she had not before asserted-had in fact
done nothing which so changed the aspect Of af-
fairs as to render expedient or proper the precp-
itate measure which was contemplated.
Taking up, with eloquent fervor, the immed-
ate challenge which had been given, Mr.. w.
presented faithful portraiure of the enduring
patriotism and the selfsacrifcing devotion of
that illustrious statesman, as to whom it had
been asked in this debate where he was to be
found on the question Of the Oregon Territory.
He would tell genlemen-not from any con-
versation he had had with that distinguished
man, but simply adopting the history of the past
as guaranty for the action of the future-he
would tell the gentleman from Pennsylvania and
the country, that Mr.. Clay would be found where
he was in 1912, in 1920, and in 1882, on these
great and trying occasions which tested alike
the character, the talents, the boldness, and the
magnanimity Of statesman. He would be
found where, in times of trial and of danger, he
had ever been found, on the side of his country
and his friends would be found side by side with
him, asserting its honor and indicating its rights
The same subject was under discussion in the
Senate at the same time it was being debated in
the House, and we had the pleasure of listening
to one of the ablest and most statesmanlke
speeches upon it, from Mr.. Rives, that we have
ever listened to. There was high and manly
tone pervading it which formed striking con-
trast with the heated, hatulent, arrogant, and
grandiloquent remarks which fell from gentlemen
upon the other side in the other end of the Capt.
tol. We would gladly make room for the whole
of Mr.. Rivess speech, but our limits will not
permit: we make single extract bearing upon
the particular subject of which we have been
speaking, namely, picking quarrel with Eng
asd-getting up new party issues
MIR. R. said he hoped he should not be deemed