The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-06

and that had never been aoned Tor. He felt thar
the time was soon 10 arrive when there was TO be a
eontest between US and Great Britain, for she be
held our advance and prosperity, aud looked upon
US as her only rival and would seek TO PROSTATE US
and knowing this, he would now take every meas
ure for the yindicaton Of our rights and the esab'
lishment Of our power. II was said that we had no
cannon with which TO defend ourselves, and that il
would take years 10 make anyt but he was glad 10
hear the gentleman from Prennsylyana, Mr..
THoMPsoE,l say, that Pennsylvania alone could
produce an adequate supply. Men enough we had
With justice and right on our side, we should Ger.
tainly triumph.
Mr.. M. begged leave to tender his acknowledg-
ment for the floor, after having labored for il fol
four long weeks and lie would say 10 the honorable
chairman Of the Committee Of the Whole that if he
MIR M should ever be placed in that position, he
would try to give him the door little sooner than
he the ehairman( had given il to him (Mr. M.
Mr. FlCKLlN next obtained the floor, and spoke
as folowG
Mr.. Chairman: The immense coneourse Of per
sons who have pressed to the Capitol each day, and
the profound and unusual attention bestowed by
members this floor. sufficiently indicate the i'm
porlanee Of the subject under discussion.
The masses everywhere are aroused, and the in
tense interest felt here is but an eptome Of public
sentiment in the States.
The Texas resolutions which were introduced in.
TO this House at the last session with more than
doubts Of their gained strength at every step
II their onward progress and on the night Of their
final passage through the other eDd Of the Capitol a
dread and deathike silence peryaded the eager
throng, who watched with throbbing hearts the first
CLEANS Of the new altar ascending TO It's place In our
political armament.
zeal no less burning--an excitement no less
oyerwheming--is destined 10 impe our eiIzens for
ward until the Oregon question is satisfactorily and
finally adjusted, and those politicians who reckessly
attempt IN breast the current Of popular opinion,
will as certainly be swept away by its wave.
Our geographical position, and the indomitable
energy Of our people, alike proclaim that this must
become ocsan-bouBd republic; and the decree has
gone forth, that we shall acquire territory on this
continent whenever we may nghfuUy do 30, and
that we should not part with one foot Of that which
legitimaiely belongs TO US.
Texas and Oregon" were Graded together in the
Baltimore convention, were inscribed on our BAN
ners, and were flung TO the breeze in every pOr-
ton of the Union. The annexation Of the former
was bloodless achievement, and the occupation Of
the latter will be equally so, If we be brm and
united We should suffer no sectional jealousy,
no touch Of selfish or mereenaTy feeling, TO warp
our judgment on a question Of this character Nor
should we stop TO inquire whether the proposed ac'
QUESTION Of tsrTltoTy, east west north or south,
gives the balance Of power to this or that section
Of the Union; but looking with an eye single TO
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of the nation az whole we
should extend our limits whenever we can do so
without invading the rights Of others and, sir the
patriotic course Of large majority Of the South on
this question will cover her Statesmen with im-
periShable glory. The parallel between Texas and
Oregon is striking IN this, that those Of our friendS
who took the responsibility 10 vote against Texas,
fell under the Teprodchts not TO say denunciations,
Of their BRETHREN and all the horrors Of the faggol
and stake. They now, in turn, indulge "the retort
I'd WI n with na IN
Oregon. While the majority Of US must deeply re-
gret that any occasion for ytuperation should have
arisen either the hand the other, all must
be admonlshed that on question Of reanuexation
or occupation Of territory, it 10, TO say the least
perlous to be tenderiooted on any part Of the
ground
Those who so earnestly land may add ably
oppose the giving the notice TO Great Britain, differ
with US only as to the means Of obtaining the end.
They, with very exceptions, ATE decidedly OF opinion
that title TO the Oregon territory, up to $40 40,
is clear and indisputable, and are willing to 60 with
US for all Of those that regard as the strong and
warike measures, which look to the taking and
holding possession Of that country.
My purpose, then, is not to upbrald them for this
difference Of opinion, but far as can, to discuss
the question with them; to oppose argument to
gument, and let mind grapple with mind until the
judgment is convinced, so far as that can be done.
This resolution is debated by the opponents Of
I
made the occasion Of producing panic through
out the country; and brokers and stock; joobers,
together with that portion of the American press
under their control, are uniting their efforts IN this
general outcry against war. Ii 10 doubtless re.
by all, that these panic-makers have been
engaged from time to time in alarming the public
mind for the purpose Of subscribing their pccunisry
lne: ests. That Great Britain may make It the pre-
text of a war, as she might make the remuneration
Of Texas, or any other exercise Of our rights the
preext for # she chose to do so, is not denied;
but that It furnishes no just ground for appeal to
arms is, think, plainly demonstrabIe.
The distinguished member from South Carolina
Mr.. RHETT seemed TO ngratulae himself upon
the fact that he was pursuing this qnes-
ton in opposition to the venerable gentleman from
Mr.. ADAMs;l and that, therefore,
he must be right. Let him not, however, clay the
hattering JUNCTION to his SOUL" for, unless the signs
of the times greatly deceive us, Massach usetts and
South Carolina, that have INDUCED the most deadly
hate and bitter feuds towards each other in times
past, will be found side by side at the present mo-
ment; and their sons, with few exceptions, who
have been for so long time looking daggers" at
each other, will come up and vote together against
the giving of this notice.
1t is contended by some gentlemen that negotia-
tons should he again renewed; but | think very
The ministers of Great Britain under
stand the arts of diplomacy better than ours.
For more than a quarter of a century we have
failed to settle this question by negotiation. Our
offer of compromise has been formally withdrawn,
and think that the matter should rest there; and
that we should now stand upon all Of our rights UNI
til that imperious nation shall make us fair and
just offer Some, again, are proposing to arbitrae.
This is wholly nadmlssible, for in that adjudication
we should not be tried by our peers. Crowned
heads do not desire broaden or lengthen the ter
ritory of republican governments; but, on the
trary, they strongly interested in enargng the
domnions and establishing the doctrine Of "the d.
vine right Of kings"
As we'll might the question Of the divinity of the
Messiah be submitted to the decision Of Mahon,-
medans and Jews for this question to be referred
to the arbitrament of monarchs or Of emperors
We know the decision in advance No, sir; as
much as l love peace, and desire to avoid war,
yet if there is other alternative but to arbra,e
this difficulty, would say unhcsitatingy, let it be
done at the lannon's mouth. Those Of our friends
who seem most alarmed at the prospect Of war,
and who have depicted its horrors SO eloquen,y and
so wildly, were not, believe, when Texas was the
prize, aftaid to meet Mexico, Great Britain and
France combined on the battlefield and our navy
and army in no better state Of preparation then
than they are now.
The Mexican minister declared that annexation
war. He demanded his passports and
A n