The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-09
CoNGREs SIGNAL.
SPEECH oFaMR. YANCEY,
OF ALABAMA.


OF ALABAMA, r. - !
n, the House " Representatives, January z, 1886
On the resolution giving the twelve months notice
for the termination of the joint occupancy Of the
Oregon territory.
On motion Of Mr.. YAScEY, the House resolved
itself into Committee of the Whole on the state OF
the Union, Mr.. TBBArrs, ofKy., in the chair and
resumed the consideration Of the joint resolution
reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs pro-
yding for the termination OF the convention Of
1927.
Mr.. YANCEY said s".
Mr.. CHAIRMAN Events Of no ordinary magni-
tude have been rapidly thiekenng the path Of our
progress as nation. But yesterday, magnificent
empire fruitful in all the elements Of moral polii
cal, and commercial greatness, obtained peacehA
ingress within the pale OF our liberties and a full
ffuition OF our laws and institutions. But yester-
day, and the representatives Of land, which had
long been the III Dorado Of Spanish hopes in the
palmy days Of that once splendid monarchy, took
their seats In the councils OF the federal Union.
Around me see the Representatives Of several SOW
ereign Sfates-of States carved from territory
capable Of furnishing 10 the Union many more
territory which is drained by the mghliest rivers
Of the Garth, whose sources, in the beautiful and
striking phraseology OF another upon another
sion, amidst perpetual SHOWS, but whose outlets
are amidst perennial flowers.
This magnificent picture, sir, Is but grouping Of
the results Of peaee-of peace honofably formed,
and honoraby kept, with the whole world-of a
peace which IL shedding its radiant influences, and
pouring from its "ho OF plenty its choicest bless
ings upon institutions framed TO receive them,
and over a people capable, trust, Of approaching
them. IL has been a peace which has enabled our
commerce 10 explore every sea in search Of their
treasures, and our flag TO become known to the
world as that of people whose dominions are ex-
tended by civilization and by reason, and not by
arms and by blood Il has been to us period Of re-
pose, during which our canvass has been unfolding
and spreading It's snowy sheets over every wave
quietly but effectualy driving England from her
commercial supremacy on the deep. Under It's be
nign and inspiring influences the energies and intel.
lect Of people have been directed into channels
in which they have developed many Of the hitherto
hidden and mysterious powers Of nature, and made
them subservient to the great interests Of humanity
and, part Of these results, now see the
magnificent ship, with every sail furled, moving
with silent and terrible majesty into the very teeth
Of the wind, as if propelled alone by the unseen
and submerged hand Of Neptune, and dashing OPP
posing waves in angry spray from her prov, while
intelligence is spreading from city to city upon the
wings Of the lightning!
Il has been peace which, as If to laugh to scorn
the bounties Of war; has given territory after
territory more magnificent in domain, and more
pregnant with national grandeur, than any that the
blood-dripping eagles Of imperial Rome ever few
over in their conquering and devastating career.
Yet, though such are the fruits Of such policy, I
see AROUND me CfOWus OF american statesmen,
yearning to break this mighty and glorious spell,
whose hearts painting for iear, whose hands itch
grasp the sword whose feet raised to trample
the olive branch, whose every impulse is To Crap
pie with England, to decide by the terrible law Of
arms a territorial right.
Sir, respect, though must disapprove of, the
feeling which animates the men Of the West on
this question. sympathy for their friends in the
far-of Oregon; Observation-Disclosures impotence
il may beat any restraint which England may
have thrown in the way of full assertion Of our
rights there; and longing, natural to brave hearts,
to avenge the expressions whish that naughty pow
err may have committed for centuries upon the ma
tons of the earth, all feelings which, however
much may deem well calculated to cloud the judg-
ment upon matter of such grave import likewise
well calculated to elicit a sympathetic response
from every American heart Strong, too, in all
the elements Of greatness and strength, we may
not fear a contest with any nation.
But we should be careful lest prosperity and con-
tinued success should blind us to Consequences
lest in our pride, do not fall Sir, it cannot he
treason--it cannot be cowardly-it cannot be I'M
WISE for us calmly and dispassionaely to consider
our true position in this matter; and beg of our
friends-of the West in particular, land surely a
| southron may well claim that sacred relationship
to the Of the WestD that if some Of US Of the
South are disposed TO put curb on this hot impe-
| uosity, we shall not be deemed their enemies
on this great issue. Like them, am for all of Ore
gon. With them, believe title to it to be COM
pete against the world. My only desire is, that we
so regulate movements to be able TO secure it
ALL To do so is not without great difficulty On
whichever side you turn that difficulty sarcs you
in the face. To overcome it requires moderation
calculation well as hrmness Haste and impet-
uous valor may lose all, or give US but part.
desire to give a very brief review of the manner
| in which we have become connected with England
in this matter. Asserting our title as derived from
discovery, exploration, and settementwe were con-
| rronted by England, claiming, through convention
| entered into between her and Spain, and commonly
called the Nooka Sound convention, right Of Joint
ly occupying the country OF Oregon, and therefore
opposing any exclusive possession in Unable
to settle the difference satisfactorily and amicably
on the Goth of October l8lS both parties agreed to
a convention, which left the title in allegiance, but
gave to the citizens of both countries the right OF
entering, trading, &c, for the space often years.
Shortly afterwards, on the god of February 1919,
Spain coded the United States all her rights to any
territory the Pacific coast, north of latitude forty
two degrees. We thus became possessed of all the
rights to the territory of Oregon such Great
Britain might deduce from the Nootka Sound con-
| venion; under which she only claims right OF
| Joint occupancy, expressly admitting, as under
stand her. thai, she has exclusive title to inch
of the territory.
Two other attempts at settling this question be-
tween us having failed, on the 9th Of August, 1897,
| this Joint convention was indefinitely renewed; q
provision being inserted however, that either party
might terminate u, ny giving I'd tile oher tWeVe
months notice of the intention to do so.
This convention, then, and its renewal, was the
result Of failure to reconcile the conflicting claims
of the two governments in 1875 1924, and 1896. In
| 1918, Mr.. Monroe and in 1896, Mr.. Adams offer
ed, ns compromise, to give to Great Britain the
free navigation of the Columbia and exclusive title
10 all OF H. 4:.o-p rnrfh nf fnrtU-nine dasroes vi
latitude. In 1924, Mr. Monroe also offered to give
to Great Britain all above the forty-nnh degree OF
north latitude. Each of these very favorable, and
it seems to me, concatory offers were prompt
| ly rejected by the English government. After the
first rejection, if negotiation had then closed what
would have been the resuli' Either we would have
had to force England from her joint occupancy, or
have ANONYMOUSLY abandoned" our rights. To
avoid such an issue, what did Mr. Monroe do He
entered into joint convention for ten years. put
now to the reason and candor Of gentlemen, was
not that measure substitute for par? or, what is far
more wretchcd and whitening, If war was not to en-
hf.. IL ..cond nronnt reiecton of the result OF