The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-26


Their il is the sentiments Of Congress that they are
willing TO give up nothing Of $40 4V, We are
! bound 60 be prePared.or the alternative that may
present itself II are resolved 10 negotiate for
nothing but that then We ought 20 be prepared 10
hght-we ought TO make preparation for war, no
matter what may be the result. desire on the pre-
sent occasion nothing more than 10 present thai
issue, and ascertain whether Ia the Of the
Senate that this government would be dshonored il
II compromised. | do not pretend 10 instruct the
senator from Illinois, but as the public mind is dis
turbed on this subject, desire TO have AN expires
sion on this question. The senator from Michigan
seems 10 think the Senate has acted neonsisently.
The Inconsistency TO me to lie in this-in the
construction put by some of the friends Of the ad
mlnstraiion the assertion of the claim of $40 4O
and do not think that the senator does the execu
tive justice in putting his construction upon
the message in relation TO this claim. | desire
that the message should be considered the best com.
menIsry upon itself and on its assertion of our claim
10 $40 4U. What | said before | say now, that the
expression made uss Of used IN common par
lance not to be Understood saying that the tiIls
was 80 legally and clearly settled that could
make no compromise Off, do not say he will &C.
eept OF settlement al ago, no matter what offers
have been made already. | do not desire to be un-
derstood as making an argument to sustain him in
what he may do; but shall be greatly mistaken in
my construction Of the Presidents message If he
used the words "clear and unqueslionable" TO mean
mat 1t was so dehnitiyey settled admit of mel
ther negotiation nor compromise; for il does seem 10
me contradiction to say that that is fixed and un.
questionable which has been 10 dispute for the last
twenty-five or thirty years It is contradiction in
terms to say so, according to my construction; but
DO not say that others Of his friends have not the
rSht TO put their own construction upon il AS do;
but II mistake not, IL has been said before in Ian.
guage as strong by Mr.. Clay, several years ago at
the time he gave instructions eur minister 10 re-
new negotiations, and make sven more liberal offers
thsn we have done TO Great Britain.
am not sure but the language used by the PreSi
dent IN his message Is the very same that used by
MIR. Clay in regard TO title; but certainly he could
not mean more than what have given as the true
construction of the words. And now. Mr. pr,si.
dent know the senator from Illinois NAV have ex.
pressed himself, from his manner in debate, with
great determination; but would say to him that
there are great many individuals who IL neceaSs-
ry would go Just as far he would in the Asser.
ton Of American rights and honor, but who, will
not say for want Of nerve, would 60 for $40 40
think he will admit that there is now and then a
man IN other States OF this Union, possessed by a
brave and generous people, who sbou, as insensi
DE to danger as the constituents Of the senator from
Illinois, and who have as much 10 stand dan.
ger IN defence OF their rights But IL is very con.
eral way Of putting spurs To people who are COW.
ards 10 say to them "reople say you have not q
great deal Of nerve, and the best way for YOU 10
prove you have is to go to war then the people will
soy lOu dic OF nerve, ana snow YOU moi
afraid OF hghung" say It is n good way to put
spurs to a man who is really coward to tel! him
he has not eourage enough To stand fight al
ALL Nobody desires to be considered a COW.
ard nobody desires to make the world think
so. And If you wish to draw the line between
those who are courageous, and those who are not
between those who are Of nerve or not upon the
Distinction Of going for the whole OF Oregon, you
will find men enough ready to go for, and stand
upon every inch of line high as 60. Is that 10
be the test' No, sir, that do not wish 10 be the
test II Il were great many of would not feel in.
clned for negotiation or comrromise | wish n
treat Great Britain by the rules an am willing
to submit TO myself. | do not think some people
are half so brave as they wish the world To under
stand. Some men act think from passion, Others
from calculation. My calculation is this: [ do moi
like difficulty more than you; | think when peopl,
| are put TO the test they all have about an eaua
wish for it. ] always found that men who
were the readiest IN breed trouble and difficulty
were the least willing TO defend themselves
and generally got whipped. IL is no great eyi
dence Of our courage for US 10 keep talking her,
about fighting for no particular interest | do mo-
desire TO see II put upon this issue, that man has
or has not got nerve in proportion TO the man.
ner he talks Of II in the Senate. / have no
doubt there are many men who would be glad
to see this question settled by negotiation and
eompromise-and brave men; and have no doub,
many patriotic men, who, il thew found il did mo,
|
found ralying round it in the line OF barre, in the
front rank and the last to turn their backs on IN,
common foe. Thet is all said. The gentleman is
always in order, always courteous, and did not de-
sire TO make subject OF inquiry whether he is
man OF courage or not.
| Mr.. BREESE. am exceedingly sorry that th,
! gentleman has thought il necessary 10 take tn,
course he has in his remarks. had no intention
| IN what said, 10 connect the title to Oregon viii
the question OF nerve, 10 enter into any descrp
l f,n., nf 81
resent-nothlng of the Sort | WAS merely DESTROYS
of presenting, in strong point of view, the Pres
dents message, in which he says that after the ex
plrotion Of the notice, we will be in a condition 10
pursue our rights, or abandon them. am really
surprised that the gentleman from Georgia should
give such coloring to my remarks; and with
all respect to him, think that it was un.
called for. | only speakinp Of wha
would be the situation Of the people of this country
IN case the notice was given IN twelve months and
that then we either must assert our rights 10 be
clear and unquestionable, or abandon them. Is no,
that the question:? and IS 1t not entirely proper for
to argue it in this point Of view and was il moi
also competent for me 10 say that, should the no
tice be given, conformnbly with the recommended.
ton Of the President when tho period of its expira-
ton should arrive, that the American people would
be so placed that their spirit and energy would he
tested Then II will be seen whether we are willing
to yield to the unfounded preensons foreign pow
err, and allow them 10 acquire by compromise and
negotiation everything they asked as they have e-
fore done. The time will then arrive when it shall
be tested whether the rights hold sacred are to be
surrendered up to the claim of foreign power, Of
Us great magnitude as England is admitted TO be.
The senator from Georgii says that he proposed his
second resolution in view Of the fact that the Amer
lean mind was disturbed. II may be az; but | beg
leave to tell him il not disturbed in his sense; but
il, is disturbed at the idea that any integral portion
of American terrty should be taken away by dplo-
matte arrangement; and when | said | could not vote
for the amendment ofthe senator from Georgia. it was
under the Impression that our title j. clear and ul,-
questionable" and ! hold myself responsible 10
prove from the principles of international law, that
it is indsputabe. do not believe that if this was
shown clearly, any gentleman in this Senate would
vote for negotiation or compromise. | cannot be.
Iievc that II majority Of the American Senate are
ready to do an act so fatal to the interests Of this
country. ! make no preference Of courage either on
my own part or on the part Of the people of Illinois
but | said when the perioI after the expiration OF
the notice should arrive, the American people would
be called upon to assert their rights that their nerves
would be tested; for should contest ensue with
Great Britain upon this subject, we would have to