Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-03-05

branch OF Congress, Will not justify US ny
obtruding our advice upon him uninyited
and unbidden. But should a majority
consider it advisable TO request the Presi-
dent to give this notice, propriety and
fitness Of things seem to demand their Sc
paration.
object TO the clause requiring notice,
because itimplies want of confidence on
the part of the legislature in their power
at present TO pass the bill. We now hold
the country of Oregon in joint occupan-
CIV with Great Britain. We propose to
extend our own laws over our own citizens
without restricting British subjects in any
rights they may possess. But simultaneous
with the extension OF our laws, which are
intended for the benefit of our people,a and
in the same bill, and that, too, while nego-
taiions are pending and undetermined, we
say, in effect, we claim the exclusive soye-
reignty over the territory reaching as far
north as 81 degrees and 40 minutes north
latitude, and after twelve months we in
tend TO exert an exclusive jurisdiction
This bears the semblance of gasconade,
and, if adopted, | fear will put an end TO
negotiation. This is not the proper spirit
to be manifested, and it is wholly unbe-
coming the dignity of this body. If this
ground is broadly assumed, we must pre-
pare 10 maintain it, even at the point of
the bayonet, or lose our own selfrespect.
And preparations to enforce our laws TO
the entire exclusion Of any rights claimed
by British subjects, necessarily gives an
excuse TO the opposing party to make
preparations to resist their enforcement.
Pass this bill with a notice inserted, and
negotiation must cease, because we decide
the whole case by our legislation. We
take possession now, and say in twelve
months we intend to unfurl our glorious
standard over every foot of land in dis
pute; and by virtue of right, and the
strength of our own good arm, we will OK
pei the English flag from the county,
This appears to me rashness, inconslde-
rate and hot-headeG rashness; justified on
ly on the ground that we desire pass at
arms with our old enemy. l know this is
not the purpose of those who advocate this
amendment. but | believe this will be the
Interpretation which will be given 10 the
passage of the act thus amended; and
such construction will be plausible.
| object TO this amendment, because
this House has called for the corlespon-
dence which we all know has taken place
between our Secretary of State and the
British minister, and that correspondence
hds not been communicated to US. When
IL comes, if it appear that England is e.
yading the settlement of this Oregon con-
troversy, if she delays determination for
frivolous causes, shall cheerfully vote il
as my opinion that it is the duty of the
President 10 give the notice which deter
mines the joint occupancy. But till then,
for my own part, hope this question viii
not be pressed.
The gentleman from Massachusetts Mr.
Adamsl has said rightly that the time has
come when this yexatious controversy must
be brought 10 an end. Since 1913 an
empire has sprung up in the valley Of the
| Mississippi. At that time, all that beautl-
ful and prolific region mustered from all
| the States but sixteen personalities; now
we have eighty.fve members, each repre-
senting constituency nearly twice as
large as the number then required TO re-
turn member. Then we had scarce a
single steamboat navigating the Mississippi
waters; now those floating palaces num-
Der between six and seven hundred. Then
the commerce which was carried on in
that country was but inconsiderable; now,
in addition to the many millions which per-
tain to the internal trade, moro than two
thirds of the foreign exports of this great
republic are grown and carried out from
that productive region. The enterprise of
our people has pushed forward our settle
nents to The foot of the Rocky mountains.
Texes is destined to be ours. Providence
shaped il for us, and the people of both
countries have so willed 1t. Oregon is ours
now; and, by prudence and frmness, it
will soon be open TO American citizens
alone. England mustsee that ours is TO
be the ruling power on this continent;
and by disputing dominion with US in North
America, she but weakens her power in
the Old World. If she attempt TO environ
US on this continent, and thus check our
onward march, she will endanger her vast
dominions throughout the earth. Institu-
tons like ours, with their general and To-
cal legislatures, and capable of indefinite
extension, must prevail over the rotten, un-
equal, and oppressive systems of England,
should folly rule the hour, and The deadly
conflict come. But with wisdom, modera.
ton, and justice, on both sides as we now
arc, we must still further become one Of
the greatest, most powerful, and weaIthies
nations Of the earth. | hope, then, We
shall pass This bill, and assert our rights
but at the same time let us do it in such ;
manner as to preserve the good under