The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-14


opinions Of those differ from me, and sincerely
regret tbai sIch differences exist. shall follow my
own convictions with due sense OF the solemn
RESPONSIBILITIES under which aei, leaving Others the
same liberty which claim, without suffering my
self, for moment TO doubt their integrity, and pa
triOiisDl.
solemnly believe that gentlemen who think wor
will come are mistaken. earnestly pray mat peace
may continue 10 waive her golden wings, and scat.
ter her rich blessings our happy country, ana
that those bright visions, which gentlemen nave pc
tured as destined TO gladden. our hearts, under the
suspicious eve Of this lowering angel may never be
blasted by The blood stained demon OF war WOO
the favor and the continued presence OF this guar
dian spirit, With my deepest devotion. would sa'
crifce much would suffer much TO detaln her. But
II che must dapart-f she is destined 70 take her
sad DHght from earth to Hesyen sgaiu''--lhsn well
come tic black tempest o. war Welcome is ter
rors ils prigations its wounds, and deaths' We
viii sternly bare our bosoms 10 its de0dssl shock,
and trust ia God for the result.
Mr.. s, having concluded
Mr. GORDON obtained the floor and smoke for
about half Of his privileged hour He said that, at
this late and protraeed stage Of the debate, his dis
position TO take part IN IL much less than IL had
been At its commencement. Indeed, so much had
been said, in such variety Of forms-from the grave
TO the gay, and from the sublime 10 the ridiculous
that il was almost impossible to say anything new,
or anything old IN new form. Sul, having mani
tested quite early disposition to address the com
mitlee, he had a few words TO say. He had vote
TO give, and reasons TO assign for that vote, for
which he alone was responsible.
The President Of the United States CONTINUED
Mr.. g. has recommended TO Congress the termina-
ton Of the joint convention OF 1877, by the giving
Of the twelve months notice provided for by that
convention; and, in order To justify that recommen
datiOn, he has stated his reasons for II. He has
Informed Us OF the offer Of compromise made 10 the
British government, through her minister resident
here and he has also reviewed the whole history Of
the negotiation from the year 1918 down 10 the date
Of his message. And the question now 10, Shall
Congress adopt the recommendation Of the President
Shall direct that notice To be given which he be-
lieVes necessary to be given TO secure the rights OF
the United States In the Oregon terrtoryh-or shall
we Decline and refuse TO execute and carry out the
recommendation fthe President and present the
civilized world the spectacle of great nation divd-
ed in its councils-dvded not only among ourselves
into parties but even the democratic party split up
into factions on so great and grave a subject
Gentlemen say that the notice is cause and ground
Of war, and tina: We are not prepared for war. |
deny that the giving this notice is either just
cause Of war or any ground whatsoever Of war. IL
is provided for in the convention itself we have the
same right 10 give the notice 10 terminate that
yention that Great Britain herrelfhas and who will
dare 10 saw here or elsewhere in solemn and seri-
Gus argument that if Great Britain gives US notice
we have a right TO declare war against that power
for the adoption Of a measure provided for in the
vsry treaty now under consideration Sir il is not
tins notice which would lead tn war, or that would
be the oSuse Of war Ii war is 10 grow out Of this
controversy in the Oregon territory, il will come Of
those measures which everybody avows himself
ready to 60 for; which measures, in that distant
region, would bring British subjects into conflict
with American citizens, and the American govern
ment with the British government. This ii is that
will edkinde the fame Of war; IL war is to grow out
ofthe controversy between these two powers.
BUTT is said we are not prepared for war Sir,
a much prepared we ever were in time Of
peace, or as, trust, shall be in time
peace. Weare as much prepared now as we were
"heh He fe'o'uuoh oIohe OUT we are as huch
prepared as we were when war with Great Britain
was last declared u owe OF country ana devotion
TO republican insutntiohs-ii the right OF czens Ia
Dear arms IN ume OF peace-is prep rauon Tor war,
Then are we prepared we nave more tnan Two mil
hons oil hghtng men, WIN arms IN Weir hsnus'
Sleeping on their guns-ahu we nave eiSh.een
mlInohs OF Peopie, psuy anu hpie ID ieeu' anu
clothe, ana sustain mem IN the conhict. we nave
oil lhe raw ndftrtf OIL war; we nave the requisite
SKILL caphai, anu machinery 10 make that mafer'ei
useful ana 70 convert nin'o Instruments o. ao'snee
we are prepared TOT w%-not' 10 DC sure, oy a
aarge expensive navy, nor oy standing army IL
not our Pohcy 10 sueke armies ana dry-nurse
heiahu' anu ohth snail DC saushed mat war Is 70
come, ana that we are 10 nave an aggressive W" oy
urea' ptitan snaii not DC prepared uiucn 10 en-
latse el'her 'he army OF she navy repeat men,
we arc as tnuoh prepared LOT war e-uay us we e'e
shaLi DC, or ever ought 10 De, In une OF peace
"oua rathe, lose oa'ies curing the n'St year o'
wa--i Wouid rather lose all the campaighs LOT inc
hrst year. man "oud consent, IN ume OF peace, 10
oou US iarge ana expensive navy, OF 70 ,rS
asanaing army, ~hen no war might come ne
cost OF the army ana me navythe 10 our Iree
institutions, would De greater lar man any uecara
non Oh war, eo9i"ns u'eApec'eu, upon u.s. eve"
/ thousn Tor me hfst year we might sufisr eeiea'
But, SIR repeat we are ready; we nave Two millions
OF hghtng men, with arms IN their hanas, ready al
Inc call OF ther country 10 mnrcD 10 the TOht OF the
oatle whenever the cloud OF battle might lower
\ In order to ascertain whether this notice should
be given or not, 1t Is necessary to understand what
the rights of Great Britain and what the rights
of the United States, under this joint convention OF
| 1918 indefinitely continued by the convention Of
1897. BY this convention it was provided that the
ciuzens, subjects, and vessels Of Great Britain and
the United States should be free enter this terrific
ry, its bays harbors, creeks, and rivers, there to
trade and traffic with the natives. There is no
| power given 10 Great Britain to exercise sovereign
acts Of authority; but under this treaty, which gave
certain privileges to British subjects, but none to the