Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-02-26
Speech, Of MIR. Kennedy,

should spectator enter this ball, unacquanted win the
subject that gave it, he would be led 10 believe that
the question pending a declaration of against
Great Britain All who have argued against the resou-
tons under consideration have declared that to pass them
would inevitably lead to war; Now submit that TINS is
not question of peace or war; The very treaty which
these resolutions propose annu provides that said trea
y may any time be annuled by either party, giving
twelve months notice OF their intention TO abTogale II
And has this that cannot do what the trea-
y spuaes may be done by either party wilhOu; incur
ring the charge Of wickedy rushing country unPre-
pared into a needless and desoatng war! Sir, bur
back this charge of seeking upon those who make
it. for will not leeve that must necessarily
out Of this question.
But be this as it may, far concerned. and
far understand the feeling and opinions OF those whom
represent this Is not question OF peace or war, but
question Of right and am determined it shall be so treat
ed. Does the territory of Oregon belong the United
States. II il dees that fact precudes the question whe
ther peace may result from action or from the
occupation OF the territory But 1t has been said that
have long slept upon rights assert them in
peace. That does not result from our having suffered
England jointly occupy this magnificent territory in
with for commercial purposes for quarter of
century. This long and peacesbe joint tenancy has re-
suited from the fact that people not made
qusined with the strength and clearness of title.
Thousands Of the masses-he bone and sinew Of the
counry-have conned all The old records and
musy treaties which record of title be found
and learned heeom It's nature ex'ent bot while they
in doubt or ignorance as to title they were will
ling To see what could I've done by diplomacy.
Now the is altered, and we have by proofs and
eumenis that have been laid before us become satisfied
title the whole Of Oregon from AZ Deg 81
deg 40 min. north latitude is cear ard questionable
call upon gentlemen from the South, who go against
the notice recall the irresistible arguments made and
the clear and iLexngushable light which has been shed
upon title by their great statesman, before they ask
surrender inch Of the Oregon territory, which he
has concusively shown be Are read the
mastery arguments of John G.. Calhoun and James Blu
chanan. which have made title to the whole of Ore
gon clear sunlight only for the purpose of making
surrender Of what they have shown clearly to be
the more dIsgracelul!
We of the West "bookish" men. What little
education have received after the labor of the day
had been dome in the school Of adversely, in the Far
West, and almost the verge of civilization where
Struggles have been with the Indian, and wrestling
with the bear-now common occurrence We have,
therefore, left It TO agents TO settle the question to
whom, by the record. Oregon belongs. This they have
done and well DONE Our part of the task, which is
maintain and defend rights, and
by the remembrance Of the deeds of fathers and the
strong affection cherish for wilderness homes
will defend them perish IN the attempt do not want
war; and you SANDER when you say our hands are Itch
ing grasp the steel Of STRIFE and hearts painting
the deadly 1ict No people highly appreciate
value peace and bothery love- that should bind one
uhbroken chain oil the families Cf than the people Of
the West. We know that free institutions flourish
the mild and genial amosE here of peace but, when it
to the surrender of the parmony IF fthers-
receding from, yielding up just rights upon
SOIL them say, peace longer be honorable
and shall hesitate when it to the question of
dish9n0rG5le peace, honorable wGr.
The honorable member from South Carolina (Mr.
Rheu) has warned against the consequences which
may follow a combination of the European monarches
against what they may please to call effort part
push the principles Of our free government beyond the
boundaries thereof. Sir propagandists. We
do not wish spread principles by conquest de-
sire force institutions upon people under the sun
however much might be pleased all mankind,
only approaching, but enjoying their nesmabe bes-
sings. But when this, whether shall plant
them upon SOIL and within undoubted terri
toria limits, it is quite another question in such
cannot stop to coun the look at consequences
Another honorable gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Hun
ter) has told us that "befoe we succeeded in Wrestling
Oregon from England by conquest, prepare ia
chase the British lion around the world in his blood and
SLAYER Sir have disposition to engage in the chase
of such beast but this will say, that if the British,
ally other lon lays down in path. whilst are
peaceably pursuing business W thin ter
Iitory. that he will be chased from that lair.
Cunqucs, is object, aud surrenderng terri
tory still farther from If any gentleman here, h
from the North or the South the East or the West wht
believes title Oregon is good he shall be
cd from voting for this notice. but the that tells
that he believes that Oregon and still shnks from
asserting exclusive rights there, will allow me. in
kindness tell him to look to it, that be does not place
himself in attitude that will only make him incur
c0in among bis constituents, but neglect Duty tn
non-perormsnce of which lie will deeply regret during tn
remainder Of his fe
If Oregon be ours, is blasting. whitening sham
that the of St. George should be floating owe
There Mr. Simms Of Missouri exclaimed aloud-"Yes
it is burning shame, and it will blister foreheads Xix
the mark set by God upon CANT
And are TO bear this TepfOach-and shall bran
ike this be burnt into the orehead of the III
"Old Thirteen" because, If attempt il,
may provoke war ! Suppose your fathers of gloriou
revolutionary memory, had been thus timidsuppose ha
before they commenced that struggle for liberty they ha
gentlemen say, counted the cost, had numbered th
ships and bayones of their insoent oppressors wher
would you have been, Mr. Chairman Instead of presto
ing, as you now do, American Congress, yo
would have been vassal Of the British
And has the blood Of those which flow
through veins become so pae-has IL degenera;ed $
that in less than century-and whilst few, ala
30 few of those noble patriots still lingering among
prepared TO surrender he naughty pow
err portion Of the glorious legacy achieved by their vao
for fear may be startled by the sound of their
trump. the rattle Of their artillery Forbid it, Heaven
Gentlemen have argued this is western question.
is national question. Every portion and sectio
of this country is interested and deeply intereste
in the possession and occupation of Oregon. Yet,
of its locality, western gentlemen have frequent
been appealed to in relation to it, and western feeling
qursd after. If the West is be consulted the
Element of Oregon-and believe they ought declare
be my firm belief that in that and mighty vale
not man 10 twenty will every consent to surrend
inch of what they believe rghtfuy belong Il
United States They will neither surrender it for fear
war, sell it for pecuniary consideration. All u
bsyonets Of England cannot win, the gold of Pei
purchase it.
But the gentleman from Alabama mr. Yancey) sdmo
ishes wait until are prepared for the strife.
though strife necessarily follow our action.
says, and truly, that when the people a
once aroused from the Struggle it needs prophet to pr
diet the result and seeming to believe Of Il
spirits be described painting for war, said, in comp
en that Mr. Chairman, with rife in hand, would LEI
10 the deadly breach. Why, sir he has wholly mistak,
nv characters am a "rnan of pe:ce;' belong to tn
HATH and Had ,