Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-12-22
DEBATE~IN run u. >. SENATE.
MONDAY, DECEMBER -. 1918.
THE NATIONAL DgFENCES

THE NATIONAL DETENCES.
: The following resolutions, submitted BY
MIR. Casson former day, were taken up Tor
consideration:
Resotrcd, That the Committee on Military
Affairs b. instructed In inquire iuto the con
dtion of the national Iortihcaiions and of their
ornaments; and whether other defensive works
are necessary; anl into the condition and
quantity OF The military supplies and into the
state ct Che means possessed by the Govern
ment Tor the defence OF the country.
hesoipcd, That the Committee ON the Mill
tia be instructed To inquire into the present
condition oi that great branch OF the public
service, aud into the state of the militia law /;
and that they be further instructed To report
such changes IN the existing system as will
give more experience AMI efficiency To that
arm oil defence, and will place il in the best
condition Tor protecting the country, should
1t BE- exposed TO ioreign INVASION
Rcsoiocd, That the COMMITTEES on Naval
Affairs be instructed to inquire into the con
dition Of the navy of the United States, and
into the qulntity AMI condition of supplies
now on hand, and whether an increase of them
isn,t n ,cesiary TO the efficient operation of
the navy, and To its preservation and augmen-
tation; and, generally, into lis capacity Tor de
Tending our coast ami our commerce, and for
any service the eMgcncies OK the country NAV
probably require.
The resolutions having been read
MI Cass rose and addressed the enate Is
II possible, said he, to read the Message ofthe
President OF the United States To Congress.
and to witness the indication of public opin-
ION which ere disclosed about us without BE-
Ing aware thata crisis rapidly approaches thai
me present state oi the intercourse between
TINS country and Great Britain demands seri-
del and "A.
cooperation in action on the part of Congress
and the whole nationi The President has told
us mat tho negotiations have arrived at, if
not close at all events. position which is
about tantamount To a close. The claims of
the two nations he finds utterly irreconcilea
bic, and a relinquishmcnt of claims to some
extent oa the part OF one or both countries. or
me intervention OF mediating power, seem
now TO be the only alternatives which can
avert that most disastrous event, state of
war. t-
This Government had already declined to
submit the matter TO arbitration: il was
course which might with propriety be adopt
ed by independent nations, under equal cir
cumstances, but unfortunately, in our contro-
versy with England, those equal circumstances
did not exist. Ii was obvious that an umpire
would have TO be taken from one of the asso
ciated monarchies of Europe, and we might
well hesitate TO leave the decision in such
hands. IL would, be thought, be better TO
hold fast our rights, than, by submitting them
toa doubtful arbitration, TO risk their loss. -
war was great calamity, and should, if DOS
sible, be avoided; but there were calamities
more TO be dreaded than war, and among those
caiamitics was national dishonor He did not
rise for the purpose of discussing our right to
Oregon; that was a subject which would come
up IN It's proper place, and at proper time. -
lie was aware that great diversity of opinion
existed as To the extent of our claims and. for
himself, he would embrace thus opportunity of
expressing his cordial and entire adhcnision to
The views expressed by the President i'm his
nRssage TO Congress in relation to- this matter.
1t must be pretty evident TO all who ex
annie the subject that the pretensons of the
two nations are utterly irrcConcieabe. The
most liberal as yet made by Ii gland fell far
below our most moderate claim; and under
these circumstances. said Mr.. c. what are we
to dot Shall we reccdc? No, sir: as TO reced-
Ing, 1T Is thing not to- be thought of for n
moment. Ii is thing which ailudc TO only
To denouncc t:and in this denunciatim | am
sure that shall be joined by every true heart
ed American. Nothing is To be gained by
pusilanimiiy
lie VINO would be content To attain prcs
sent temporary advantage at The expenses oi
future dishonor and disgrace but sows the
vhirlwlnd and reaps the storm | will. con
tnued DIR. g., here repeat maxim which can
not he too deeply impressed upon our minds.
W. mat u Is better To fight for tn first inch
than Tor acres afterwards; better TO FIGHT fo,
the door-sill than for the hearth 10 main.
tssa our national character mblemishcd is ol
greater consequence than the acquisition OF
wealth or extended possessions:it ia This ,yhich
possesses moral influence i'm the hour of dan
ger which is beyond all price. rcpeat nm.
on this question we cannot recede. Our dos.
tiny Is onward. You might as well attemnt
10 chain the waves of The Pacific as TO arrest
tise progress OF this nation. There is tide
oil emigration now finding its way-makinp
Tor itseli channel through the barriers of the
Rocky Mount iIs which must innunflste every
portion OF The vast territory lying beyond
them. vigorous and hardy population are
spreading themselves abroad i'm that region
anu They demand The protection Of this GOV
eTnmeDt. Shall they not have itY Shall tbev
not have the benefit OF our laws and inst;tn.
iions extended to ihen7
Only last week memorials we're laid noon
your table asking Tor your protection: and do
you think That, II their application a disre.
gnfded, they will long continue TO seek your
iayof or cOncilita;e your rcgard7 No sir. the
possessions they have acquired they win hold
~ the Oay0net They VIII not tamey Sit
still aud await your tardy movements. The
great principles of mutual protection and allie.
gaDce, ii not adhered TO by you in favor OF
that adventurous people, a portion of yonr
9YD eitlksDs. you di,hearien them. and ,bey
Rse9Wea prey 10 foreign diplomatic chicnncry.
Whq4 " - inspires the hearts of tbose WIN
have ioupe home ~ that distant region Il
MT the nt2spcei Of enjoying the blessing, oi
civil aud rev gious liberty under the losterino
care OF this G9yefgweD? Jt is impossible
that this state Of things should continue; or il
seems To ne utterly Impossible flIst com.
lninl'y having the same Interests and occupy.
ing the same territory ran bold divided aIlc.