The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-10

Il
as early practicable In view OF all this, ask
is il not duty to take such measures as will ia
ciliiae the decision Of this question: For one, ]
believe the country is ours TO $40 4V, but the ex-
tent Of our title lie not the question now under con-
sideraton; and all who believe that we have rights
in Oregon, no matter TO what extent, so they be
greater than the British government has offered TO
coooede ought 10 vote for This measure.
The President Of the United States, in his annual
message at the opening Of the present session Of
Congress $, says
be extraordinary and wholly insdmssibs demands Of
the British government and the rejection Of the proposition
made difference sloae 10 what had been done BY
deeessor and the Implied legation which their
seemed impose afford satisfactory evidence that
promise which the Cnited states ought TO sccepean be e
han S mSS s s q
ton subsequently, ~thdTswn and oar htla TO the whole
Oregon territory asserted and sss believed maintained BY
1 irTefrag able facts aud arguments.
"The civilized world will see in these proceedings spirit
Of liberal conssssion the part Of the United states. and
this government will be relieved from all responsibility
which may follow the failure 70 settle the controversy
Ail attempt. compromise having iallsl Il become. the
sdogt Tor the seeury aud projection o. sEsa.
- iaA.biins who may hsrsasr inhab orsgOn and
T. ss a. ~, ...s 49, - IA
nothing BE done vss1as NE stpulassons q the
in their letter and spirit has been and trust wl ever
be- seruPalously observed by the United States Under
that convention years notice required 10 be given BY
either party the other before the joint occupancy shall
terminate and eiore either Fighuly assert or eXeT
mi, notice would in my udgmsnt ProPerto give and
III provision be made by law for giving
eordingy and terminating In this manner the convention
Of the sixth OF August, lsG.'
Now, SIR in the face OF these facts, we shrink
from giving the notice. Some gentlemen lake il for
granted that this measure will cut of all negotiation;
but they arc mistaken. II only carries out what
public opin ion has declared, and what the true poll
cy Of the country requires. IL further negotiation
shall be necessary or proper, then this notice in no
wise prevents H. II further negotiation 10 unnecessary
or improper, il is our imperative duty to give the
notice. Passing this measure, then, will not pre-
vent government from doing anything that
ought TO be done, while il will unite hands and
leave free to pursue such measures the inter
esis Of the country demand. In doing these things
we must observe our national faith, and violate no
treaty stipulation. At the last session Of Congress
bill to organize Territorial government IN Ore
gon passed this House by a vote of $40 to So
This bill contained section providing for the Civ
ing Of the notice, In the following words:
"sre a. .aa4Bs further enacted That the Pre,iden,
ofhs United States DC and he hereby required
notice TO be given TO the British Of the de-
sir, and intention OF the government OF the United States
and abrogate the rnton with Great Britain ela
tive territory the northwest coast Of America conclu
ded August s27 Sgreeably to the provisions Of the I'd
article Of that conventions Proridsd that nothing In THE
contained shall be construed carried into effect
by any Of the officers ezsnS Of he United States
scs OF Great Britain may ia territory herein men
toned provided for In the convention aforesaid until the
above provided By the President Of the United stats
Sir, voted for this bill then, rs did very large
majority Of the members Of the House, but il did
not pass the Senate. Was IL considered war
measure them No, sir; and why should it be con-
sidered so now' Without knowledge Of the view,
Of my constituents, | voted for the bill then, and
they sustained me; but in giving the same vote
now, I not only belicv that am doing right but
feel sure that am obeying the will Of those who
sent me here. repudiate the idea that this is q
war measure. It's merely proof Of our anxiety to
settle the question, and Of our determination TO
maintain our rights IN that territory, and rcpe those
who trcspass on them. But while repeat that this
is no war measure, would not be understood say
ing that this country will not take such further steps
may be necessary to secure our rights IN Oregon.
The territory is ours, and must not part with il.
Sir the time has ceased with when we can act in
that spirit OF forbearance to Great Britain which
characterized the conduct Of the patriarch Abra-
ham, when he said to Lot, "lf thou wilt take the
left hand then will go to the right or if thou de-
part to the right hand, then will go to the left"
That might have been possible once when very lit
tie value was attached to territory. But not SO now
with US. We need all the territory have, and
ought not under any circumstances to part with
any portion that possess But highly we
prize territory we do not propose to take any that
does not belong to
Sir, am aware some gentlemen, who do not appre-
ciate the Importance of Oregon represent as dis
are we going to fight for that | tell such gentle
men that Oregon s-of vast Importance to this eoun-
try, and that its loss would be deeply felt and sore
y regretted to the latest moment Of the existence Of
this great republic? Because Oregon is great dis
lance from this Capitol, shall we treat her as the
Roman empire once treated the island of Britain
clip her off, and tell her to take care of herself
Britain was once part of the Roman empire; but
that government thought her of little value
that they cast her off, and told the people if they
could defend themselves against their enemies,
good and well, let them do it; the Roman eagle
would no longer take them under its wings On
this strip of country, thus severed-which is
infinitely smaller than Oregon-is planted that
mighty government, whose invincibility has this
day been eloquently described! 1t is the nation
nhabiting this territory which now struggles for the
conquest Of the world, and carries terror with her
name to the most distant parts Of the earth! This
teaches the increasing importance Of territory, and
is warning to to guard against the loss of any
part of our country, or of any portion OF our Peo-
pie. 1t is quite natural for to suppose that under
any circumstances, Oregon is destne to be par,
of our confederacy, but it may perhaps turn out
| otherwise. here express the hope, and cherish
the belief, that she will never be British colony;
that tina, country will be republic, inhabited by
freemen, believe almost certan but whether she
is destined to remain n part Of this confederacy,
or to become separate and distinct republic, de-
ponds upon the policy pursued towards her by this
| government. Ii we now refuse her protection, may
she not hereafter scorn profer of reunion and
refuse to be received by us as Slater The case Of
Texas was different. Texas was distinct and in
dependent nation, and we were under no Obligations
to protect her people territory till she became
part of this Union. But we are under very differ
ent obligations to the people Of Oregon, because
own the territory, and it is settled by ci,i
zens. IF we leave her in the moment of her strug-
giles to shift for herself by Withdrawing our protec-
ton, will she hereafter when she has established
her right to the soil, come and ask to be again in
corporated into this Unioni believe not. ] must
here remark that l would be the last man on this
floor, or in this country, to claim a single inch Of
territory which did not believe to be ours, but, on
the other hand, say with equal determination that
| will never consent TO the surrender Of an inch that
| is our OWL care not where it lies or what may
be its yalue--to crafty the ambition Of Great Brit
ain or any other government upon the earth. We
boast Of being great and glorious republic; but
what constitutes great government It's the JUS
tice Of its laws--the preservation of its rghts-and
the protection Of It's cilizens | care not how
wealthy or powerful a nation may be; soon as
she ceases TO preserve her rights and to protect her