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

of the country, will be given, if need be, to MAINTAIN
the national honor and the national rights. But
hope this evil may be avered. The Hon senator
has recently been in the very midst OF European
aeitation-n the very focus OF European counrt IN
trigue, and probably in his mind have been greauy
aggravated the difficulties subsistng between the
two countries. In this country we want no asita-
ton upon this subject, nor is any excitallon or sum
uation necessary TO bring the people TO the fullest
discharge ofths duty in this case, and ON all those
questions
upon his official responsbility-in the event that
the state of the country be such that this great tins
tremendous, this stupendous apprehended eiii is
really about TO burst upon us---shali come ana Iay
the before u.s. not openly IN the eyes OF the world
but with the doors of our chamber closed; and, sir,
in that case this prudent and dgnIhed course having
been pursued, my life for il, the patriotism oil
this chamber will sustain the executive, 10 the very
utmost extent in the maintenance oil the national nom
or. Let the President sir, do thisnot his subordn-
ates--not those who have no direct responsibility;
for will the hon. senator remember that during tins
| political dynasty, under that illustrous and power
| full administration of which he was most dis
tinguished member whilst the subordinate officers
of the government heads OF departments, amused
themselves with profound dispositions on the tariff,
and interesting dialeccs on the national bank ques-
ton, when everybody knew that the Executive did
| not entertain any such views. None OF these
| amusing dalecticans responsible. Now, sir,
that great man--for great he was, whatever fault
may find with the course of his administration;
however erroneous, in my opinion, may have been
certain portions of that civil misunderstanding
great man, | say, was master of his political
household; and would be the last man in America
TO deract either here elsewhere, from the ster-
ling qualities of that illusrious individual This,
am free to acknowledge, although dissent pro-
| foundry from the merit Of his civil admins
tration That is a subject, however into which
| it is not my design to enter l refer to that
| period in the history of the government, only
for the purpose of adducng an instance in which the
heads Of departments made reports entirely contra
ry the views and principles of the Executive; and
that, too, in the of an administration that was
supposed to be unit. Then, sir, under the pa
renthetca administration which followed the same
thing was the case; and not only that but there
was diversity of opinion, conflict OF sentiment,
even in the very head of the political household it.
self With the amiabe disposition, probably, of
following that preceptwrten in the good book, shat
the right hand should not know what the left hand
doeth !" the Executive would, with one hand, ac-
cept the proposition, whilst with the other, 1t was
condemned and rejected. But do not regard the
present Executive as likely to exhibit such dspo-
si,ion or character as that. regard him in very
different light. | regard him as a gentleman OF
unblemished honor and God forbid that we should
ever see the head Of this government any one not
1 clothed with such character. Differing as do
from him, yet believing in hts integrity am willing
to leave the matter in his hands. He knows the state
of the question. Ifwar is TO come let him not "blit''
it in the eyes Of the people of this country or OF the
world. Let him adopt that course which was per-
ecty familiar to the honorable senator from Michl-
gan, call upon these chambers for their apProba-
ton, and the assistance necessary TO meet the occa-
sion. In that case, he will meet with the unshrlnk-
ing support of all sides of the house.
! do not mean to follow the honorable senator In
his remarks, called upon to reply, as have been,
Unexpectedly, without moments previous rcfec-
| ton. Yet, thus called upon, and indsposed as
am, could not allow his remarks to pass without
some comment. desired, at least, to give express
sion to the views entertained by my constituents
and myself on this most important subject do
not profess TO know the opinions OF my associates;
nor do know them. But let us trust this negotia-
ton to the Executive. Let us stand ready In adj
vance il it be necessary, strengthen the arm Of
the Executive, so that when our blow falls on the
enemy, it will strike his very sensorium, and place
him PROSTATE and poweress beneath our feet What
need sir, lei ask, to tell us that Great Britain is
| the mistress of one hundred and fifty millions OF
people, | can oubrag the honorable senator ask
pardon for using such word-but this say, that
never that power be permitted to stain this re-
public with dshonor. Whatever her greatness, we
are able to meet her; but hope the collision may
be avoided If it come, it will be deep reproach
upon the civilization Of the present day. And, in
in my humble Judgment, If we have recourse to
arms, this Oregon question will be mere pretext,
and not the cause of the war. know well that
this world is ever agtated, heaving and struggling
under the operation of two great adverse principles
OF government that shakes the continent of Europe
the whole Of Chrstendom-the great republican
principle, on one hand, by which all the power rests
upon the basis Of the people, and the people have
the control; and the other hand, the principle OF
monarchical rule, whether absolute or qualified.
trust there is man in America, whose blood flows
more warmly and rapidly in favor of republican
government, than does mine. Yet, when see
that on the other side Of the water the whole
press are treating us with contempt-atfected
as believe-with disdain, having more Of jeal-
ously in 1t than Of actual disdain--and when our
press meets that again-I think all this ought to be
senced for the present. l think, in these halls OF
ours, we should be extremely guarded and reserved
on the subject of recriminaton, when this delicate
question is pending. know that there are many
things in the history of the country, which have
perhaps, had much to do with the production of this
excited state Of feeling. | am very much inclined
to apprehend that at the bottom of it rests those
great principles to which have already alluded in
state of heavng and almost destructive antagonisn
n destructive it would have been the principle OF
free government had that not struck its roots to the
very centre of this great continent. When the ult.
mate trial Of strength comes you will lind that the
people of this country as one man. Christendom
itself will shake and tremble. Thrones may fal
and tumble, and dynasties be swept from the face
the earth, for that principle works in other lands
well as ours.
i have, sir, exactly that degree of confidence in
the President that gentleman reposes in another
believing him to be man Of honor, though diff
feriDg from him profoundly on almost all do.
nestle questions. | do think, however, thai
as respects the foreign relations of the coun.
try, he will do what the honor and interests Of
the nation require, according to his best concep.
ton. ! suppose he will The time for us to re-
wise this matter will be in the end. 1t is not in the
beginning ] ask, in view Of the stupendous nava
and military force Of Great Britain, why should We
thus advert to our condition, and exhibit our ter
thousand miles Of frontier with hardly gun to de
fend il Let the necessary measures for the natona
defence be taken in the proper manner-in pruden
and dignifed manner.
i | pray God that the contest may never come, bu
if it should come, repeat we will all be found as
one man. Never can we consent to suffer dshonor
or to surrender our rights. lift come, any mar