The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-12-30

exigencies OF the country may probably re-
quire.
Rssolped, That the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs be instructed 10 inquire into the
condition of the national Notifications and
their armaments, and whether other defensive
works are necessary; and into the condition
and quantity of the military supplies; and
into the state of the means possessed by the
government for the defence of the country.
Resolped, That the Committee on the
Militia be instructed to inquire into the pre-
sent condition of that great branch of the
public service, and into the state Of the militia
laws; and that they be further instructed to
report such changes IN the existing system as
will give more experience and efficiency TO
that arm of defence, and will place it in the
best condition for protecting the country,
should it be exposed to foreign invasion.
Mr.. CAss, in support of the resolutions,
then rose and said:
Mr.. Presidents; 1t is impossible TO peruse
the Presidents message, and to observe the
progress of public opinion in England, as
this is indicated in the declarations of her
statesman in Parliament and in her daily
journals, without being aware, that a crisis is
fast approaching in the intercourse between
that country and ours, which demands the
serious consideration, and may require the
cordial and active cooperation of the whole
American people. The President has told
us that the negotiations respecting Oregon,
if they have not reached a close, have, at any
rate, reached position almost equivalent TO
it. The claims of the respective nations are
utterly irreconcilable; and a compromise, by
a voluntary sacrifice of portion of their pre-
tensions by one party, or by both, or sub
mission of the whole matter in controversy to
some foreign power, seems the only alterna-
tives by which peace can be preserved.
| did not rise, sir, as will be seen to discuss
in whole Or in part the question of our right
to Oregon. That subject will come up in its
own time. There may be some difference of
opinion, as we'll in Congress as in the nation,
respecting the territorial extent of that right;
though take this opportunity of expressing
my entire and hearty concurrence in the
claim as advanced by the President. But
am sure there is no great party, and 1 trust
there are few individuals in this country,
who are prepared, even in an extreme spirit
OF compromise, TO accept the most liberal
offer that England has yet made. Her pre-
tensions, and ours are so widely separated,
that there seems no middle ground Oh which
to meet. Our most moderate claim. and her
most liberal offer, leaves the parties asunder
by seven degrees of Latitude, and by large
portion of the territory in question. What,
then, is our condition. Can we recede? :?
Can we stand still? or mist we advance?
AS to receding' it is neither to be discussed
nor thought of. refer toit, but to denounce
it-a denunciation which will find response
i'll every American bosom. Nothing is ever
gained by national pusillanimity. And the
country which seeks TO purchase temporary
security by yielding to unjust pretensions,
buys present ease at the expense of perma
nent honor and safety. 1t sows the wind to
reap the whirlwind. have said elsewhere
what will repeat here, that it is better to
fight for the first inch of national territory
than for the last. 1t is better to defend the
door sill, than the hearth stone-the porch,
than the altar. National character is richer
treasure than gold or silver, and exercises a
moral influence, in the hour OF danger, which,
if not power itself, is its surest ally. Thus
far, ours is untarnished, and let us all join,
however separated BY party or Q by space, as
to preserve it.
1t is clearly impossible that the present
state of things should continue, nor, l must
confess, do | see how it is possible that
community, inhabiting the same region, and
possessing the same right 10 every part of it,
can hold divided allegiance, and be govern
cd at the same time by two distinct and
distant sovereignties. When the present
anomalous provision was made, the country
was unsettled; for the few hunters who
roamed over it could hardly be dignifed
with the name of settlers; and it probably
never occurred to- the negotiators, nor TO
their governments, that this arrangement
would outlive the then existing state of
things, and would come to operate upon
civilized, stationary, and rapidly increas-
ing community.
On the joint jurisdiction of the two gov
ernments in Oregon, Mr.. Cass continued as
tolloWs:
But what kind of order can a double
headed government preserve? How are its
departments, legislative, executive, and judi
cial, TO be administered? How are rights to
be enforced, or wrongs to be prevented Or
punished? Two neighbors, living within
hearing of each other, are responsible to
different tribunals, and governed by different
codes of laws. An American killing an
must be tried by an American
court and by American laws. But how are
English witnesses to be summoned, or Egg
lish disturbcrs of the proceedings of the
court 10 be removed or punished? Posses