The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1846-01-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
TYHE NATIONAL DEFENCE.
OF HON. LEWIS CAss.

An important debate commenced in the U. S.
Senate last Monday, on the following resolutions
moved by Mr.. Cass, Senator from Michigan, late
Minister to France -
ResolCed, That the committee on Naval Affairs be
instructed to inquire into the condition of the of
the United States, and the quantity and condition
of the navy supplies hand and whether an in
of them is not necessary the efficient opera
tons of the navy and to its preservation and augmeu
tation and generally, into the capacity for defending
coast and our commerce, and for any service the
eXigencics of the country may probably require
ResoIUed, That the committee on Military Affairs be
instructed to require into the condition of the national
fOrtfcatons and their armaments, and ether other
defensive worksare necessary; and into the condition
and quantity Of the military supplies; and into til .
state of the means possessed by the for the
defence Of the country.
Resolucd, That the committee on the Militia be in
stucted inquire into the present condition OF that
great branch of the public service, and into the state
Of the militia laws; and that they be further instructed
report sn"h changes in the existing system as will
give experience and def .ienCy to that of de-
fence, and will place it in the best condition for pro-
tccng the country, should it be exposed fOreignin
vasion.
Mr.. Cass, in support of the resolutions, said. .
Mr. PRESIDENT: 1T is impossible to peruse
The Presidents message, and to observe The pro-
gress of public opinion in England, as this s indi-
Gated in the declarations of her statesmen in
Parliament and in her daily journals, without be-
ing aware, that crisis is fast approaching in the
intercourse between that country and ours, s,whjch
demands the serious consideration, and may re.
qure 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 close, have, at any
rate, reached position almost equivalent to il.
The claims of the respective nations are utterly
irrcconcabIe; and compromise, by voluntary
sacrifice of a portion of their precpsions by one
party, or by both, or submission of the whole
matter in controversy to some power seems the
only alternatives by which peace can be pre-
served
Our govcwment has already declined TO sub
nit our rights to foreign arbitration. This is
process which, under equal circumstances, may
we'll be adopted by independent nations to term-
nate disputes which would otherwise seek the ar
bitrament of war. 1t preserves the honor of
both parties, and ought to preserve the just in
terests OF both. 1t substitutes reason for force,
and is therefore suited to the advancing opinions
of the age, and to the duties and feelings of
Christian communities. But these equal circum.
stances do not exist in our present dispute with
England. There are obvious considerations, into
which | need not enter here, growing out of the
relative situation of that country and of ours,
with those powers of Europe from whom an ar
bitrator would almost necessarily be selected,
and out of the influence she posse ,ses over their
counsels, and, may add, growing out of the ma
ture Of our Institutions, aud the little favor these
enjoy at present upon the eastern continent,
which may well have made the government hes
itate TO submit important interests, at this partc-
ular iuncure, TO such tribunal. 1t may vel
have thought il better to hold on to our right, aud
to hold OH also 10 our remedy, rather than com.
nit both TO a royal arbitrator. War is a great
calamity, and ought to be avoided by all proper
means; but there are calamties greater than war;
and among these is national dishonor
did not rise, sir, as will be seen, to discuss in
whole or in part the question of our right TO Or
cgon. That subject will come up in its own
time. There may be some difference of opinion,
as well 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 tho claim as advanced by
the President. But am sure there is no great
arty, and trust there are few individuals in
this country, who ure prepared, even in dn ex.
treme spirit of compromise, 10 accept the most
liberal offer that England has yet made. Her
and ours are so widely separated that
there seems no middle ground on which TO meet.
Our most moderate claim, aud her most liberal
offer, leaves the parties asunder by seven degrees
Of latitude, and by large portion of the terrific.
ry in question. What, then, is our condhion?-
Can we recede2 Can we stand still? or mus
we advance?
AS to rcceding, it is neither TO be discussed
nor thought Of refer to it, but to denounce it
IA denuncaton which will find response in
every American bosom. Nothing is ever gained
by national puslanimity. And the country
which seeks 10 purchase Temporary security by
yielding TO unjust pretensions, buys present ease