The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-16

fectly agree with the sentiments expressed by my
friends from North Carolina and Virginia yester-
day liz war is TO come, let It come. In such err.
sis, have not the slightest doubt thst the whole
nation wonld be found united, and rallying, like one
man. around our national banner. But, before war
comes, we may debate its causes. We may dter
amongst ourselves but when the great issue OF bat
tic is once made up, no middle ground will be left
Then we should all ~ found, | trust, rallyins
around the standard of our country ! am sure
sir, that would ~ ,ss Sa5e.
| cut who desires war; Who wishes to see that
crisis No one will venture to get up and say, VI
desire war; All admit that is to be depre-
Gated and avoided, trust all that honor and good
policy permit and authorize viii he done on our
| part in order to avoid war If we are called upon
to give notice. and it, connected with cthef circum-
stances, war IL TO I've the consequence certainly we
should pat6o and deliberate seriously. | think it
ought not to be recklessly entered upon. repeat,
! | do not apprehtnd war. | think we cannot have
war unless we actually stumble or blunder into
war. But, says the honorable senator, we are on
the path to war. If we are, let US march slowly
and firmly in it. Thus proceeding, and answering
| the description OF the poet
Firm, paced and slow adresdfal front they form;
Still as the breeze, but dreadful as the storm.
We shall not appear less formidable to our enemy
or to the world, than if We went careessly along,
as il reckless Of consequences and knew not whth-
er our path was leading Let US, then, II we are
to give this notics-and | am disposed to think we
/ cannot recede-instead of giving notice for the
term limited by the convention, let us give that no.
tce to take effect two years after is given instead
of one. 1t will not the less, in that FORM indicate
| our resolution and determined will. But it will
show that while we resolved to pursue the path
on which we have entered, we are not going heed
less and rashly rushing along, as If eager for con-
! fct and war-that we are not, like spitefu land
lord giving an angry notice to tenant to quit, and
| limiting him to the shortest time within which the
law gives il effect; but th6t we are willing to give
space and time for reflection and negotation-that,
though determined upon the maintenance of our
rights, are not hasty to bring the matter to the
| arbrament Of blows. That course, Sir, will take
off the hostile character and hostile 'front.' which, pro-
ceeding otherwise would present. And we ought
to know ourselves well enough to feel that we
ought not be to hasty careless in giving aront and
insult to any people on the face OF the earth, much
less to those of whose character and blood we par.
| take so largely, to whom we are bound by many
| sympathies. The settlement of question of terri
i tory or interest may be difficult enough; but af-
front or insult is much difficult os amicable ad-
justment between two high-spirited nations. Let
us be careful, then, as travel along this road.
We will proceed with firm and steady step--bold-
ly, bravely, ifyou willbut at the same time man.
ifesting our willingness, desire for amicabe
adjustment of the controversy, IN preference TO war
II, after ALL this war comes, the more we have hes
itaed, the longer we have paused, the more oppor-
tuntes we have afforded to Our adversary for time
80
more firm and united, in that case, will we find our
people when the day of conflict arrives. Come
When that connlct may, IL IL 10 come, rePeat, may
| it find us all united as one man, ralying with our
hearts ana hahas unaer inc banner OF our country!
These, sir, the only remarks intend to offer;
and have already occupied more Of the time of the
Senate than desired. My object has been to re-
move, if possible, the feeling ofalarm which il seem.
ed to me the remarks of the honorable senator
from Michigan Mr.. CAssl were calculated to
Il do ka,a hat dad NV tbo pln-
nations of that distinguished gentleman, have
succeeded to extent, in attaining that object
that the declarations of the speech of yesterday
will be taken with some allowance; and that the
public will be convinced that we arc not 30 immedi.
aely on the verge of war. | also intended to sug-
gest to the gentlemen on the other side of the
House, and ON every side Of the House-for on this
question trust need not speak of sides of this
House-that on the questions between US and Eng
land there is but one side here--the American side
intended, then, to suggest to them that, If called
upon to give this notce--and do not know that
have any objection to that-we shall extend the
time beyond the year, and make it two years. as an
indication Of our preference for peace--for voun-
tary justice to be rendered US by England-raher
than any desire to embrol ourselves and the world
in war.
Mr.. CASS then rose and said: have not one
word to say. Nothing offered by the gentleman
who has just sat down calls for single remark in
I reply. | will merely read from my speech of yes.
terday-as correctly reported IN the "Union"--an
extract showing what dlu say with reference to the
occurrence Of war. Here it is, and repeat il
word for word:
~ take IT for granted we shall give the notice recommend
ed by the President; for If do not shall leave thu
people Of Oregon without government me- or win an I'm
u.s. and the notice Being given in twelve months without
an abandonment Of large portion of her claim we shall
find ourselves involved in war with England"
That, sir, Is what said; and that statement
kDow reiterate,
Mr. WEBSlERnextr rose ana SAID: was not DIS
posed at all to offer any opposition to these resou
tons. Ihey direct certain 70 DE made whicf
are usually instituted by the committees, and such az
any extraordinary existing IN the coun
try would, ON any OCCASION stimulate them TO make
J Nevertheless, | rather regret the introduction o.
these resolutions, accompanied as they have beer
with the remarks which the hon. member from
r Michigan thought 1t his duty to address to thu
Senate, because agree with the hon. member from
Kentucky that the introduction OF these resolutions