The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-15

be warning one, shall take the liberty Of reading
a portion Of il.
Here Mr. c. read extracts from the paper contain
ing the remarks of Lord John Russell on what ne
considered the spirit of aggrandizement displayed
by the government and people OF the United states
in their course respecting the annexation OF lexas'
Mr.. c. then contnued Here, sir, we md the
leader of the great wing party, IN his place IN Far
lament in effect denouncng the course OF the UNI
ted States in the annexation OF Texas, because
il tends towards territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and
the eternal cant about British moderation and phi
lanthropy, and American injustice and ambition, Is
heard, and read, and believed in every corner Of
the British domnions. | must confess, SIR
am heartily tired Of it. Were the subject and It's
consequences not SO important, these declarations
would excite rdicue, as they excite regret and
surprise. They are not confined to ordinary politl-
cal discussions and to the journals OF the day, but
they come from the highest men, IN the highest
places. And here is AN eminent English statesman
asking the administration what course they intend
to pursue IN the altered policy OF the UNI
ted States, as he terms it--as though the vol
untary union of two independent people upon
this continent were an injury TO England, which
demanded her immediate attention, and might
demand her armed interposition. And ne
tells us, he understands that communications have
been sent to the United States, to Mexico,
and to Texas. ON the subject of what he calls the
new policy Of the United States. And we know
that those communications to Mexico and to Texas
contained large offers to prevent annexation But
thanks to the onward course Of our government and
to the feelings and determination of the Tex
an people, this interposition was fruitless; as
was the communication to Mexico, If this were
designed to embroil US with that country. The
well-timed rebuke administered by the President
in his message, to the French government for its
interposition in affairs with Texas, might with
equal Justice have been administered 10 Eng
land; and presume would have been SO, had not
the President looked upon the course Of the one
power natural, judging from past events, while
the course Of the other was unnatural, impolitic,
and unexpected.
But this wing lecture Of Lord John Russell, upon
the ambition Of the United States, and these per-
petual euogiums upon the moderation of England
in strange contrast with the practical principles
and the progress of her empire. The moderation Of
England ard the ambition Of the United States
Why, sir, the world has never seen, since the fall
of the Roman empire, such a colossal power as
England has built up She has girded the earth with
her Notifications, and covered the ocean with her
fleets. A comparatively narrow island, off the west
coast of Europe, she numbers as her subjects
l53, 900 of people--beng more than 'one-sixth
part Of the human race and has reduced to her sub
lection 100000 square miles inhabited by them,
being one-eighth part Of the habitable globe. And in
the long series of her acquisitions from the reduction
of Ireland downwards, with the exception of her
union with Scotland and some recent discoveries IN
the South Sea- believe all have been gained by the
sword. And when has it happened in her history,
that people, or the smallest fragment of people,
has voluntarily sought peace or protection under
her sovereignty Her armies and fleets have too
often been sent out wherever there people to
be subdued, or the fruits Of their industry to be
secured. have no pleasure in dwelling upon
this course of ambition. l have no pleasure In
national elimination and recrimination. had far
rather dwell upon all she has done, and she has done
much TO command the gratitude Of mankind, and
much for the progress of civilization, of improve
ment, and acknowledge. But cannot shut our eyes
to the fact that this country and its institutions en-
Joy little favor in England. That there is
systematic attack upon character, and upon what
we are, and have been, and upon our future so far
as it is given to foresee and TO fear it. confess all
this has produced lasting impression upon me
and feel little disposed, in any controversy with
that country to submit to unjust demands, urged in
spirit of unfriendiness, If not of menace.
And if England is moderate, we are ambitious
Why, sir, we have made but three acquisitions of
territory since we have been nation. And these
were not distant colonies, but coerminous regions.
And all three have been made peacefully, bloodessly.
Two were colonies belonging to European mon
archies where the assent Of the people to the trans
fer Of their allegiance could not be ssked But they
have since shown their satisfaction by their patrot
ism, and their prosperity has been the reward of it.
Nowhere is the Union more priced, nor wonld it
anywhere be more zealously defended. The third
and last, and most glorious Of these acquisitions, is
now in the progress of completion, by the volnn-
tary action of neghboring people, who knew the
value of our institutions, and sought to participate
in them, and who asked admissi on to our confed-
eracy. And we shall receive them with open arms.
And it is an encouraging spectacle to the lovers OF
freedom through the world, and the best ribue that
could be offered to its value.
said Mr.. President, that this was the latest, but
hope it will not be the last of our acquisitions.
While would sacredly respect the just rights of
other nations, would cheerfuly extend the juris-
ofN xhopop
require it, and wherever it can be done without in
justice. have fear that extension Of terrific
ry will weaken our government, or put IN peril our
institutions. We have an adhesive and a lfe-pre-
serving principle, in the exercise of political power
by the great body of the people, which is surer
bond of union and preservation than fleets and
armies, and central powers If this admnistra-
ton could crown its labor of acqusition--and in
what it has done il has labored with not less abl-
ity than success-by the peaceful annexation of
California, it would secure impershabe honor for
itself, and would command the lasting gratitude of
the whole country.
But will again advert to the Morning Chronicle,
to show the spirit of the discussion in the British
Parliament, and the views taken by the British
statesmen of their own claims to Oregon and of
ours
Lord John Russell said ."The President Of
the United States has made, as have already
| read to the House peremptory claim to the
| whole of this territory. He has claimed the
whole possession oft for the United States and has
in unusual manner called upon the people of the
United States, with their wives and children to &C.
cupy that territory That district is becoming, on
| account of the forts on the Columbia river, more
important every year. After that statement of the
President ofthe United States, consider it imposs
BILE that her Majesty's government should not en-
deavor to obtain speedy solution of this question
am sure they will feel it impossible to allow the
present underlined and unsettled state of relations be-
| tween the two countries to continue without
danger; that the people of the United States,
acting upon the suggestions Of the President,
may cndeavor to disturb British subjects in
rights which they hold in virtue of existing treat
les, and may produce state Of things dangerous
| the peace fthe two countries. For my own part,
will say in all moderation, that am not prepared
to say that this country ought to put forward any
arrogant pretensions. | do not pretend to define
what it properly belongs to her Majesty advisers TO
defnethe diplomatic proposals that should be made.