The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-14
For the Union
Mr.. CLAYToN'S SPEECH.

The Hon. J. NJ. Clayton has made very plausi-
BILE and ingenious speech on the question Of notice
10 Great Britain He ayows his support of the meas
ure because II will not lead war and as il TO pre-
vent It, he dwels with apparent pleasure the su-
premacy OF England over all the powers Of the ear h.
taken sngly or combined, and devotes more than an
hour 10 an lludged and indiscreet audaton of that
power. After peruslng this speech, uttered as il
was with apparent eaDdor and 30 mueh profession
Of patriotism was almost induced to believe that
WE, The .dms'tean people, were truly Insignificant
people, scarcely itnth-rate power, Notwithstanding
our boosted greatness as nation, and that il would
be the height OF temeriy for any cause engage 10
war with England; power that would, OF course
and necessity, make our situation much worss-
completely and etfecmaly hnnihilss and dsmos h
us. We'll, this would be bad enough, admit but
are We 10 give away our rights on the Paci6ci This
Is the question; ana would not the argument be
equally valid if Gres, Britain was pressing claim,
under some Popish grant, to the whole territory
which once belonged TO virginia. Ii cannot bs dis
guised that gentlemen using such argumsnts are on
the wrong side. Weak or powerful nations, like
individuals, must dsfsnd their rights or lose the re-
spect OF their associates. IL is admitted all hands
that we hoyS rights in Oregon Are we To abandon
these rights, in whole or in part, for fear Of war
IL should not be entertained for moment III riRht
TO abandon them in part for the arguments employ.
I'D, why not In uhoIsj Great Britain not less pow
erfu TO lajure in the one case than the other The
ikuHsclh - HON fob1s IL "a the Argument winch
umdlty always employs. II ia unbecoming a brave
and free people. But admit we should be prepared
for war when asserting rights coming in conflict with
other nations, IL would lie folly not to do So Then
let US prepare for war. make this reply to all ar
gumens addressed to our weakness. Let US prepare
for war, repeat. But there are some not only no,
willing 10 hazard a war for Oregon, but equally op-
posed 10 an enlargement OF our land and naval for
ces, lest, perchanee, the odous tariff should be con-
unued in force.
am a democrat; but God deliver me from the
democracy Of fear IL should never form a part OF
the democratic creed to count consequences when
rights, dear rights and invaluable principles are at
once and the time asssiled and threatened with
Dissertation.
Let me now give an outline of my notions Of ma
tional defence commensurate with present and fu
ure danger to our country including both its terri
tory and institutions. II is admitted that Great Brit.
ain possesses great resources, and could WELD a
mighty power for evil against US. We have i'm
mense resources too. Arouse our energies, and
what could we not accomplish With our present
population and means we could resist the world in
arms; but the down-trodden of other nations, ami
mated with our principles, and struck with admi-
ration at our aeal for the of human liberty
would, with every month that the struggle con-
nued, flock to our standard, until the votaries of
freedom had swelled out 10 such immense numbers
that Canada and all North America, to say nothing
Of European countries, would become an easy con-
quest 10 thelr fTOWess ana onward march.
Let us, then, put country in a state Of de-
fence, if not aggression, for, in the end, we must
annoy too. Vote, beseech you, members of Con.
gress, the necessary for Notifications all around
our seacoast, East and West and put the work i'm
medately in hand; build the necessary vessels of
war Of various sizes, and additional steam- ships; in
case Of war commission five hundred privateers to
hunt for English merchantmen; offer land pledge
the United States to guarantee the ttle) one hundred
acres of land to two hundred thousand emigrants
each TO Oregon, provided they go and take posses
sion of It IN twelve months; furnish them arms and
ammunition for the purpose; raise, then, n contn-
gent force Of five hundred thousand men, which can
be done in sixty days, TO be divided into four parts,
to be called each the army of the North, East, South
and West-the army of the West, of course, TO CO.
operate with the South in case any great unforeseen
emergency should arise, that being the most ex-
posed part.
Will not Congress look to e-or will they con.
tinue to squabble about points Of minor Importance
Just say enough to show where any foreign nation
can rendezvous with safety, and inAict on our be-
loved country all the evils which are predicted
hope something will be DONE
A DEMOCRAT