True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-03-11
BY o. @. Dease.
Speech of Mr.. jefferson Davis,
of Mississippi, on the Oregon
Question.
From the WASHINGTON Union,

the manner in which it has been conducted w
were engaged in delicate and highly importau
negotiations with Mexico, the end of which b.
had hoped would be an ad ustment of our boun
dairy on terms, the vast advantage of which
would be difficult to estimate. If sir, (said Mr.
d. by this exciting discussion we shall here
after find that we have lost the key to the com
merce ofthe Pacific, none who hears me vii
live long enough TO cease from his regrets fol
the injury our country has sustained Again
sir long peace has served to extend the bonds
Of commerce throughout the civilized world
drawing nations from remote quarters Of the
globe into friendly alliance and that mutual de-
pendence which promised lasting peace and
unshackIcd commerce In the East there ap.
pearcd a rainbow which promised that the wa
tcls Of national jealousy and prescription were
about to roccde from the face Of the earth and
the spirit Of free trade to move over the face
thereof But this, sir, is a hope not SO uniyer-
sally cherished in this House as could desire.
We have even been told that one Of the advan-
tagcs to result from war will be emancipation
from the manufacturers Of Manchester and Biz
miogham.
hope, sir, the day is far distant when mca.
surcs of peace or war will be prompted by sec.
tional or class interests War, sir, is a dread
alternative, and should be the last resort bat
when demanded for the maintenance of the no.
nor Of the country, or for the security and pro,
lection ofour citizens against outrage by other
governments, trust we shall not sit here for
weeks to discuss the propricty, to dwell upon
the losses, or paint the horrors Of war.
Mr. chairman, il has been asserted that the
people demand action and we must advance.
Whilst, sir, | admit the propricty Of looking to
and rejecting public opinion, especially upon
a question which is viewed as deciding between
peace aud war, cannot respond to the opinion,
nor consent to govern my conduct by the idea,
that the public man who attempts 10 stem the
current of a war excitement must be borne
down, sacrificed on the altar of public indigna.
ton. Sir, may the day never come, when there
will be so little Of publ; virtue and patriotic
devotion among the representatives Of the pco- !
pie, that any demagogue who chooses TO make
violent and unCounded appeals to raise a war
chmor in the country will be allowed, unop-
posed, to misoad the people as to the true qucs-
tions at issue, and to rule their representatives
through their love Of place and political timidi. !
ly
Mr. Chairman, have been struck with sur
prise, only exceeded by modification, at the
freedom with which disgrace and dishonor has
been mingled with the name Of our country
Upon one side, to give notice and involve the
country in a war, is disgrace. Upon the other
side, not to give notice 10 rest IN our present
position, is d.shonor; aud my colleague, Mr.
Thompson says "no,ice is the only way to
ayod war: that TO extend our laws over our
people in Oregon is war--a war OF disgrace
Sir, whence comes this decision, this new light .
upon the Oregon question: The leaders in
the Oregon movement, ia other times, held DIFF
fcrcnt views. And, sir, The discussions upon
Oregon, at former periods, would certainly not
suffer BY a comparison with ours nor, SIR, did
he commissioners who negotiated the convcn.
ymiion Of joint occupancy, either English or
American, so understand H.
Mr. Gallatin has recently called public At
cniion to the fact. tina, in ls27, our Plenipotrn-
larry refused to agrceto any express provision,
bat ia extending tho convention Of ISIS, nei-
her party should exercise any exclusive sovc-
eighty over the territory. The probability
bat il might become necessary lor the United
;.a,os to establish a territorial or some sort Of
f covcmmont over their own citizens was ex- /.
licitly ayowod SIR, by-discovory. cxPlora-
on, and possession, We claimed exclusive SOW.
reiguiy over the valley of-tho Columbia, apd
ur exclusive possession as against England
-as admitted by the restoration Of our posts IN
lneon-tbe formal, actual s8rr,nier Of Aso-
il. The convention f9r joint right 90 trade ia
,rc-ondi not destroy our exclusive possession
a rar, nor limit the rights or powers We
hight exercise uihin th,ir former b5luis. aui
bot this Is the British co1sraeion, Is sufficient
y apparent by the assertion Of ighfs as derived
rom thC Nooika convention over The same ter
a0y.