Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-12
MAKTINsEURG. VIRGINIA, THURSDAY MoRNsNG FEBRUARY

tremendous calamity, let Il be attributed rather
10 an irrepressible Indignation against the con-
iurers themselves, than to any insensibliity to
the high Obligations and the grave responsible
ties under which am called TO act IN common
W IN all the members OF this House.
This question which should always have been,
bntneyer has beenanationalon is beg ming TO
lose the party character II At first assumed, and
is now coming to be very distinctly sectional
one Gentlemen from particular sections of
the tnlon seem TO unite, without regard TO
party. IN favor Of this war measure OF notice. as
if the capacity to comprehend what's due the
national honor Were circumscribed within GER
tain geographical boundaries. In this state of
things beg the indulgence OF the committee
whist submit a few remarks. hardly intended
TO be arguments, but rather statement OF the
reasons which decide my own course. And
permit me 10 remark, ~ ttntiae, that although
not absolutely inexperienced IN public debate,
| arise ON this, 10 me, unuIed theatre, with the
most unaffected and painful ditfldence and dis
trust of myself; distrust Of myself in all things
save a sincere and earnest desire TO say, If |
can. in any form, however homely, single
word that may contribute 10 avert from my
country the most dreadful of all the scourges TO
which civilized society is liable. imminenty, as
| am forced to believe, imminently al this mo-
ment impending.
| can imagine, sir, no occasion Of more
solemn interest; no scene which ought TO be
marked by every Circumstance OF sober dignity,
and moderation, and caution, more than that of
a North American Congress--the Representa-
tives of twenty millions of people, and advan-
ced in civilization, in wealth, in intelligence, in
public and IN private virtue, as any other TWEEN
ty millions the world-1eliberaun upon and
discussing the issue of peace and war, issues
important and interesting, and, may be allow
ed, hope, without mourning, even IN this bel
ligerent presence, the reproach OF an humanity
timldty, 10 say, not the less interesting, when,
as in the present case, the adversary party is the
most ancient ofexisting States, and the most
powerful and warlike Of either ancient or mod
ern empires.
Let me be not hastily condemned, sir, for
speaking in terms ofexaggeration oithemomen-
tous crisis in which il has been my fortune TO
appear here. speak as feel about il. II is an
easy thing, Mr. Chairman, for children at
sehool-boys at college should have more
sense--to talk lightly about war, and battle,
and bloodshed. between such people as those
of England and the United tates.
1t is easy for that worthless and vagrant pop
ulation which loafs about your cities-the bull
les of election days and patriots Of the pot-hou-
ses--men for whom wars and revolutions have
no terrors, because to them change can bring
no Inconvenience, ''the cankers OF calm
wordand long peace. to talk and rant about
war
And. sir, among our friends and compatriots
here there are circumstances and conditions ma
turally calculated to affect very importantly the
IL
plate those scenes of suffering and calamity
which a British war must inevitably produce
TO both parties, and to all who may become
parties 10 il.
Gentlemen. whose local position removes
them beyond the range Of tanger-!ar beyond
the pcint TO which even successful invasion
would have any motive TO penetrate-who are
fortunately so situated that, If they did not
reach them. they could easily place themselves
in condition that the invader would be alone
the sufferer by the experiment--may find much
less difficulty in going to war upon Quixotie
preteXt than those OF us who, if we do not do
all the fighting, most unquestionably pay near
ly all the penalties.
| mean no manner Of disrespect to the cour-
age or patriotism of those gentlemen who talk
lightly of an English war. As one who ad-
mires many trials OF their personal character,
could only wish that some other occasion might
be improved. when, placing themselves, their
families, and their constituents in the front Of
exposure, they mightvndicate theirpretensions
TO that ultra chivalry, and impatient valor, and
public devotion. which, under the actual cir
cumstanceS of the present case, are not likely
to be fully appreciated BY practical and com
nonsense men.
But. sir. the prospect of war must always
be viewed by the people OF the Atlantic Sates
with very different emotions. The gentleman
from Philadelphia was disposed 10 treat jocu-
larry the remark Of the gentleman from South
Carolina, that he was alarmed at the probable
issue of this question. ! should think very in
differently of the understanding of that gentle
man ifhe did not feel some alarm at the pros
pectbeforeus, seeing IN itas he does, the chance,
not To say the strong probability Of a collision,
which must inevitably involve more risks TO
his immediate constituents than TO those of per-
haps any other gentleman in this House. That
honorable gentleman has, in my judgment,
shown his good sense IN the quick and accurate
perception OF the danger before us, and such a
spirit as becomes a representative OF his own
gallant Stale, in spunmg the well understood
dictatlon Of party which would direct differ
ent course from that he means 10 pursue
Though less exposed than that gentleman,
put myself in the same category with HIM, and
shall have the appreciation ola constituency
which, like his, has shown in every crisis olthe
country that they understood the point of the
national honor. and that whilst they are wise
enough TO ''beware OF rash entrance into
quarrel," once entered. they know how $50 10
bear themselves that the adversary shall betcaye
OF them.
consider this notice war measure. | be-
Eeve that a military occupation on the part of
Canada would not more certainly produce col
lsion than ii must; unless, as very lalnty
hope may turn out. the British Government
has already seen the pIopriety Of receding from
theposlton it has solong held in the negotiation
about Oregon, and, before tins moment, is so
committed thai il may not choose toresune that
or a stronger position, provoked, as il unques-
tonably is to 10 so, by the great lndlscreuons
occunngm this debate, the gfcatermdlscFct'ons
of the known organ Of our Administration. and
yet greater ndlscreton than all, that OF the Pres
dent Of the United states, in the manner in
which he has brought the subject before US and
the country. mean IN the terms OF his annu-
al message, in which he assumes thai the
possibility oil amicable adjustment has ceased
TO exist, calls on Congress Tor authority to give
notice, and very unwlsely, IN myopInIon, pub
fishes the correspondence OF the negotiation
In that message he says:
'The extraordinary andwholly inadmissible
demands Of the British Government, and the