Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-12-22

peat the idea, II Will result from the jealousy !
arising between monarchical and republican
But hope, Continued Mr. Ny that the res
olutions will be allowed To lie over. We are |
in the process OF cxecuting an order Of the Sc
nate. Corning the comnittces.) We have
been flooded with petitions which should
have been referred. The very committees
proposed to be instructed by these resolutions
are not yet formed, and when formed every
individual will feel it 10 be his duty to look
into the subjects specified in them. NV only
objection to this mode OF proceeding is the
giving too great publicity TO our movements;
Tor every word that goes forth from here, from
each side of this Chamber, will be scrutinised
on the other side of the water.
MIR M then advcrted TO the propriety of ex-
tending protection 10 our settlers in Oregon
as the surest means of Strengthening the pow
ers OF the Government. Speculation (said
MIR NJ has been rife in the North that Ore
gon would be made mn independent sovereign
~. This. he thought, would be impossible.
The feeling OF Americanism was too strongly
implanted in the breast ofevcry.one bonn upon
American soil To be so easily eradicatcd.
Mr. Nj concluded by moving post ponemcnt
of the further consideration OF the resolutions
until to morrow.
MIR ALLEN said he hoped the resolutions
would pass, and he thought they would have
been adopted without the obstruction of So
liiary vote. They were resolutions of inqui-
ry, similar TO those which were ordinarily
passed at every session. The subjects embra-
ced in these resolutions were OF a grave ma
ture, and the attention of the committees ought
10 be directed to them. And now that the
resolutions had been introduced, and that the
attention of the Senate had been called to the
subject, the rejection of them by the Senate
would do more to paralyse the energies of this
country than any act in the power of the Sen.
ate to perform. The resolutions were predi-
Gated upon the idea that the state of our for
eign relations was SUCH and onr home defence
such, as to require that the attention of Con-
gress should be directed TO them. The reiec-
tion OF the resolutions would not change these
foreign relations, but their rejection would be
declaration on the part of the Senate that
they would not even prepare for an emergen-
cy, which might arise out of them; and then
what would be the POSITION of the United
States? Great Britain was a power, whose
policy, as well as whose general Justice, is
known throughout the entire orb OF the civili-
lzed world, and needs only TO lie named 10 be
remembered by ALL Great Britain is power
who conducts her negotiations with fleet
upon the coast OF that power with whom she
negotiatcs, ever ready to settle questions that
cannot be settled by words, by resorting to the
Gallo mode by casting the "a bre into the scale
OF the controversy. The United States has
been, as was very wisely observed by the able
and experienced Senator from Michigan, by
the very circumstances aoising out of our in
situations, always unprepared for the emergen-
cies of war. We have no standing army in
the European sense of the Term; we have,
what Is better, a standing militia nation Of
N mai
niZation. sFs5frt',1
The resolutions had been treated by Sena-
tors on the other side almost equivalent 10 a
declaration of war. Why, had theyabeen Of
iered in any stage of the negotiation, they
would have been entirely innocent. It is
not movement at which Great Britain or a.
ny other country could rightfully take offence.
Suppose we were in no danger, either in the
present or future, of war with Great Britain
or any other country-supposc we enjoyed the
most uninterrupted peace, and the most invi-
olate guaranty of peace for the future, would
there be any improperly in inquiring into the
amount OF naval force we possessed, into the
efficiency or organization of the militia? None
presume. Why, then, is ii deemed ,unw Use
now? Even the mstituting an inquiry into
the militury affairs of the country? Ii il be
improper for any reason, il is because we are
afraid TO prepare in advance for the conting-
encies OF war. There can be no other reason,
that, while we have an unadjusted question
oil territory with that nation whose pride il
is to stretch her gigantic arms over the habita-
bic globe; that we are not TO ask ourselves
Are we ready to receive a column of British
bayonets or fifty sail of line battle Ships
we are not TO ask ourselves this! Why, be-
cause 1t looks TO the possibility of conflict
with England, Sir, we had another difficulty
with Great Britain, which has bsen suspend
ed, not settled, by the treaty of 1872 When
mat treaty was pending, from this very seat |
declared 1t contained more seeds of discord
than those il was intended to eradicate.
What did the two Houses of Congress do in
reference to tine question of national defence?
They did not stop to pass resolution ofin-
curry; but they passed solemn act giving the
PRESIDENT power to repel an INVASION
The Senator on the other side says he is dis.
PISSED To trust the whole subject 10 the presi
dent. Why, what subject does he mean?-
The negotating-or does he mean the subject
matter OF these resolutions?
Mr. MANGUM explained. II there was to
be an increase of the army or navy, he desired
that the proposition for that increase should
come from the President, and not from any of
ms subordinates. The Administration ought
to take the whole Responsibilities and he would
SuppOit iiOIiI all ulid1ltlS.
Mr. CASS here interposed. He said that the
honorable Senator had used the word subordi-
nate twice, aud he wished 10 know who he
meant by subordinates?
Mr.. Mangum said he meant the heads of
the Departments, with whom the committees
necessarily had communication.
Mr.. Allen continued. lie adverted TO the
act OF Congress March 3D., 1899 confeninp
on Mr.. Van Buren, the power of providing
against invasion, and placing at his disposal
ten millions OF dollars and remarked that Mr..
van Buren, was astonished when he found the
power conferred upon him. He had not ask
eo congress Tor such law; he had merely
recommended military preparations. I'm tbe
place OF which they conferred upon the Pres
ldent the whole military force OF the country
rms was what Congress then did, in reference
to the very Power with whom we are now
negotiating. IL was the habit of the Roman
senate ont the approach OF any national danger.
to Bass resolutions Tnuforrtnv -, 80 - -