The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-27

session Of the territory under the joint occupancy
hrst with Spain, and then with the United States
that gentlemen who expect her quietly 10 yield up
the territory without struggle greatly deceived
For these reasons, Mr.. Chairman, have APP
proved Of the course Of the President in offering the
compromise at 49o, and for one shall sustain him
In any settlement Of the question he may make up
on that basis believe the whole country will sus.
tain him, except those who go for war-or for all
OF Oregon war, which 10 the same thing. That
he may be enabled TO settle this question upon ad-
ysntageous and honorable terms, II possible, shall
oppose all measures that may fetter him, embar-
rass the negotiations; and shall vote for all such
measures that he, with full knowledge Of the whole
case, and IN view Of the consequences, has recon-
mended. ID
Mr.. Chairman, tho same considerations that in
duce me TO deprecate the war speeches we have
heard here, calculated 10 excite angry feelings
abroad and irritation al home cause me also TO dis-
approve Of such as have been made on the other
side Of the question; showing To sdyensriss the
weakness ofour tte TO the territory, and our want
Of military and naval preparation TO defend our
claim, IL, unfortunately the ultimate resort Of ma
tons should become inevitable.
Mr. Chairman, all such speeches have, IN my
judgment, had most unfayorable influence upon
this question. Much better would IL have been for
tho country, both for character as nation, and
our success in the present difficulty, such speech
es had never been made. -.'... /
| have heard il boldly avowed by a distinguished
statesman during this debate that 1.-THE hearts Of the
people must be prepared for war" What, Mr.
Chairman-prepare the hearts Of the American peo-
pie for waH ls II meant, by this sentiment, TO say
that tho American people are indisposed TO war
when the honor OF the country demands ip II so,
the sentiment Is a SANDER upon the character OF
Americans Or ia il intended that the hearts Of the
seope shall be prepared for war, when national
honor does not require that horrid alternative IL
90, the sentiment is wicked in the extreme-it would
have been called savage in any age Of the world.
In this age Of enlightened and of civilization,
no sentiment could be more deestable.
Ii any corrective is needed among the people Of
this country, II Is the reyerse-they are too eager
for war. The statesman who will use his influence
to allay the war feeling among the people, unless
the honor or the rights Of the country require war
eyinees thousand times more moral courage and
true patriotism, than he who urges on the conflict,
when 1t can, without a sacrifice Of national honor,
be avoided.
Mr.. Chairman, there is, in this democratic land
so much national pride, 50 much love Of country,
and sincere devotion 10 our free institutions, that the
tendency Of public sentiment too often with those
who raise the cry for war Each individual in this
country 10 himself a part Of the sovereignty Of the
nation, and bears his share of the national character
he feels this responsibility, and jealous OF naon-
al honor. Our history thus far Is an illustration Of
this tendency In the public mind. We all know
that those who opposed the last war became so
odious thereby, that generation not sufficient
to atone for the crime; and to this day, we hear
"that sin of the father thrown in the teeth of the
SON" With such examples before US, but few are
bold and daring enough to pause for an examina-
ton into the cause, when the cry Of war has been
sounded, lest they may share the fate OF others.
III, unfortunately, this controversy shall result in
war, the hearts Of the people will be prepared for
the event; they will longer inquire how or when
the cause originated, but they will pour out their
means and their blood to defend the rights Of their
country, whether they are in Oregon or elsewhere.
But trust in God that no such alternative may
become necessary.