The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-12

laws 10 Oregon; yet now, wherfN that very thing
= proposed, that senator vehemently opposes IL,
cannot acknowledge, comprehend what are his in
tenuons, unless they arise from an uncompromisin
and deadly hostility TO the acquisition of any terri
tory IN Oregon beyond what we now hold by aetna
settlement, and even that, perhaps, he regards as
proper subject OF compromise. On that ooeaso,
the honorable senator, with the ability which char
acterlzes all his efforts, presented to the Senate
comprehensive and graphic view Of the then state 0
the finances and the country, lie truly represented
the country as being on the road TO ruin, embarrass
ed at every point and sinking deeper and deeper a
every step. The great cause Of our then depressed
condition was represented by the senator TO be al
| oppressive system Of taxation.
l am as strongly IN favor Of revenue tariff as IN,
senator from South Carolina But cannot resis
the conclusion that, his prediction Of the result
has falled, 80 his assignment OF causes was inner
| feet. He predicted that the government would
founder that event has not occurred, and so faI
from II, we are this day in condition Of as higi
prosperity as the world has ever Witnessed.
During the past season, the farmer, the planter
and the artisan, have all received rich reward for
toll and industry we have an OVERLOOKING treasury;
and that too at period when false causes exist
70 produce the deceptive appearance ofunrea wealth
SIR, the unhappy condition of our finances three
years since can only, and Justly be attributed 10
causes which run back as far as 1886 and TO great
/
years. The general prostration from which we had
not recovered IN l543, the result of that worth
less and 6loated paper currency the creation ofthose
deadly foes 10 free Institutions hcaress
ble unpnncIPled corporations, with which the coun-
try was studded from one end to the other re-
! newal OF the paper system OF currency, under any
mode or principle Of taxation, will forever be at
tended with the same disastrous results which have
already twice marked the history OF our country.
u i was proper three years since to commence
win The notice, as a necessary preliminary to all
measures for taking possession Of Oregon why is il
| not now
But the senator from South Carolina is welded to
| different plan-a plan which avoids all action He
rs for leaving the whole matter to the silent quiet,
noiseless operation Of time, and the gradual en-
croachments Of our hardy and enterprsing settlers
who have gone, and are going, into the territory.
Does not every know that all the while they are
making these very noiseess and quiet eneroach-
ments, they are exposed to the British bayonet
And whilst 50 exposed you refuse them the protec-
tion Of American laws, and American tribunals.
Such state Of things would inevitably produce
repetuOns Of the Caroline affair.
| But do gentlemen tatter Themselves that we can
thus take Oregon and England know nothing of il;
Will they not understand this policy as well as We
And when they perceive the plan likely to take eff
feet will they not be on their guard? If we press
our population upon them, will they not in turn,
press their Pauper population upon us' Which OF the
two plans will most consult the honor Of this coun-
| try? Which story shall we rather leave on record
as heritage to our poserty-the plan of the honor
able senator, to get the territory by silent encrosch
ment, or that advocated by gentlemen on the other
side, who for demanding the territory because it
is ours' Shal! we take 1t openly and boldly by a
| straightforward manly coursei-or shall we get il
coveIty, silly, steathyi No, will not say stealth
lily; will not employ any term that may imply the
slightest dlsrespect 10 the honorable senator; will
not say stealthily, but will say circutously; yes
that is the word-circuitousy ! would not say
anything that could be Of offence to the hon
orable gentleman from South Carolina. have no
such feeling toward him. | hold that honorable
senator in TOO much respect; have too much es-
TEEN and regard for him. would not for the world
pluck leaf from the laurel that enwreathes his
venerated brow. He has ably served his country in
many and various important stations; hope and
trust he will do nothing that shall mar the page in
this nations history which he is destined to 6ll. |
respect his acquisitions; above all, | yenerate his
virtuesthe spotess purity of his private life. IL
Is these that the future American Plutarch will
most delight to dwell. But the senator's course is
circuous-ours is direct Which, ask, will do
most honor to a country like this Which will
read the best Sir, how will it read along side of
the history Of &c, Then the whole population of
a range Of Atlantic colonies, sooner than submit 10
the cxacon of slight tax, took up arms and went
into the appeal Of battle. They stood for their
rights in many bloody field, and they conquered
those rights from the mghtiest and the haue htiest
power the world ever saw. Such the first chapter
of our history, read and studied by the nations Of
the Old World. But what is to be the second chap
teri At first we had but three millions of people;
now have twenty millions Our wealth. our
power, our energy have increased in more than a
like proportion. And now the same old enemy
claims gree empire on our western coast and the
descendants of that same people resolve sooner
than resist to surrender their rights and let her
takeit. trust no such chapter is to be written in
our history.
And now word or two on the proposition for ar
bitration. We learn from the complexion of great
portion of the press the promptreection of the offer
OF arbitration by our government meets the most
decided disapprobation in certain quarters. Coming
from the quarter it does this condemnation by the
press, far from weakening, gives strength to the
administration. 1t is the best proof of its merits.
Arbitration Arbtrate what? Arbtrate a ques-
ton which admits of no debate as was done in the
cease of Maine? Submit our rights to the decision
of a crowned head, who, when the treaty was SUBJ
mitted to him, spoke Of a boundary line which ran
from the northwest branch of a certain river, took
the northeastern branch of it, If man should
claim the farm for which, hold q government pa
tent and because my neighbour who set up the
claim, happened to be a very rich man, and very
influential in the neighborhood--a man who was al
ways fomcnting quarrels among his neighbors-
threatens to seize my property, must | consent to
submit my title to arbitration by strangers, and
with no assurance that the money of my adversary
may not corrupt, Or at least prejudice the minds of
and goes to law to support his title, will he submit
his right to arbitration No; he will say, let the law
take its course. Just ought we to do in this ques-
ton of our title to Oregon. ..'
There is another point which cannot omit to
touch upon; and that is the contrast in the Of
the honorable senator this subject Of Oregon and
that of the annexation Of Texas. That honorable
gentleman now stands before the country in a very
prominent attitude the advocate Of peace Peace
is all his cry honorable adjustment of this ques-
ton so as to preserve peace. But how it when
Texas stood before asking TO be annexed to this
republic AT that time the senator did not hold
peace to be quite so valuable. alude, especially,
| to his letter addressed to Mr. King at Paris let,
ter whose language could not but be to the last de-
gree offensive to the British government so much
So that if we should get into war now, should
not be surprised if, after ALL that letter at the
bottom Of it. The senator then planted himself on
the highest ground. He openly dc6ed England on
that question Of annexation. But what is his tone
now' He is willing now to buy England off with
five and half degrees Of Oregon.