The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-20
CoNGRE ssiON Al.
SPEECH OF Mr.. GooDYEAF
OF new YORK,

eupsncy OF the Oregon territory or.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole on
the state OF the Union, Mr.. GOODYEAR spoke as
follows: ....a
Mr. CnAsn.sss Z obsesse that ihs interest Ia
this discussion slough not in the subject has neces-
sary from its proiraeed character, very much aba
ted; and cannot hope TO claim the attention Of The
House TO any heightened exposition Of my views IN
regard ioth l., therefore, propose simply very
brief detail of the considerations which will control
my action in eonnexion with the vote which shall
deem IL my duly 10 give upon the final disposition
Of the question: In the carly part Of this debate the
matter seemed TO take sectional, and somewhat To-
cal character IL said 10 be awestern measure, so
far any advantages arising from addition of ter
nory and safety from foreign invasion is concerned;
and to have a southern aspect far the desoatng
effects of war to be apprehended from It's pros
ecuilon. Il might be difficult to give any very good
reason for either view Of the matter. cannot con-
ceive how the West claim any advantages over
the rest Of the Union, either by way Of exemption
from military burdens, in Of war; by the ad-
dition OF a tract of uninhabited territory upon
the outer verge of its already almost boundless
wilderness; nor how the South, unless she may be
deemed more vulnerable in consequence of her own
peculiar institutions, claim any exclusive inter.
est in the peaGeabe settlement Of this controversy
over other States equally exposed, and with far
more Valuable interests al stake. But however that
be- the West and the South had, for time, the de-
bate almost exclusively TO themselves, and conduct
ed il as II they alone interested in the ISSUE
and yet SIR in looking the map Of this confed-
eracy, even a casual observer would be likely to dis
cover that New York, as well other Atlantic
States must ssarIly have some slight interest in
any question, the agitatlIn Of which threatened
rupture Of peaceabe relations with foreign pow
ers. With like and Atlantic coast rnore extensive
and EXPOSED than that Of any other State. and with
commerce more valuable than that Of the whole
residue of the Union together, war with Great
Britain, at this Time, would fall upon her interests and
resources with crushing, bighting influence; and
vet, sir, | stand not here 10 ask for the State Of
New York any peculiar sympathy on account OF
her doubly exposed condition, nor to claim, in
imitation Of the example of most gentlemen,
who have spoken upon this subject in be-
half of their respective States, any particular
merit for patriotic devotion. 1t is sufficient for
ne TO- say, that she asks no exclusive regard for
ne. Interests and that nowi at all times ,,she is
ready to discharge her whole duty to the common
wealth. And if national rights interests, or honor
shall demand the sacrifice, she counsels no craven
policy though the issue should involve the u.s..
ation Of her commerce, the defamation of her citi
zens, and the exposure Of her towns and cities to
plumber and condagration she is even now speak
ing upon this monientous subject through the rne=
dunn of her own State legislature, land doubt not
that her voice, when heard, will awaken q ssnti.
ment IN every bose IN, and an echo from every lip,
w0rtbe in All RESPECTS of the Empire 2tae.,
But, sir, without regard to any action of my own
State upon the suhec', had, in the early stages of
this debate, for reasons satisfactory myself come
TO the conclusion that this resolution should pass
this House, and that the President should take.im-
mediate action under it, Thirty years of unsuc-
cessful negotiation would Of itself seem to demand
some more efficient action. Diplomacy has ex-
hausted its skill, and more suspicious period has
been sought in procrastinat on but The has only
added to its enbarrHssments, and the other multiA
piled its difficulties and dangers.
May be permitted to ask gentlemen Who eouii-
sci further delay, when they propose to terminate
this CONTROVERSY Are we to bedueath this deferred
unsuccessful negotiation, as a legacy to our chill
areni All, sir, even If that titiiid and tary policy
could be deemed honorable and patriotic, It is no
longer practicable, The time has gone by when
safety might be found in supineness. The relations
Of the two countries growing out of this controversy
have assumed critical and alarming attitude. The
fevefish and excited state of The public mind de-
mands immediate action, and mighty interests
await the result. The provisions of the Joint con-
rention viii MOI BE- observed III fact, though they be
sohtihued in form, The efforts of the two coun-
tries be stimulated by recently excited iealouses
to foriify and defend their respective claims. Conf
dence and friendly intercourse will be destroyed, and
al the commercial relations of the two countries AMI
with the rest of the world will be constrained and en-
barrassed by the every-recurring danger of i'm
mediate and fatal collision. The effect of the exist
ence Of this state of things between two of the
greatest commercial nations upon earth is too APP
parent to leave room for doubt that it lorg
continue. Every nerve and fibre of the body poll
tic is tremblingly alive to the slightest indication of
merace or aggression; enterprise is restrained, BIT.
slness at stand; the public pulse is madly bound
ing with excitement; and il the adjustment of the
difficulty be much longer deferred, either a surren-
der Of the whole territory, with all its con-
sequences, will be sought as relief from this wild
fever Of apprehension and suspense.
Beside, sir, | said there were mighty interests
the few past years has vastly enhanced the value of
this territory. When the convention was FIRST en-
tered into, the disputed domain was deemed of little
moment; it has even been questioned whether it
would not more properly constitute an Independent
sovereignty, than part Of our confederacy But
recent Improvements in the facilities of ranspora
ton and intercourse have rendered the ports the
Pacific coast contiguous 10 territory Of immense
importance. II can no longBr be doubted that UNI
lees the onward progress OF our country is checked
by devastating with Europe the mouth Of the
Hudson and the Columbia will, ere long, by means
of the railroad and magnetic wires, be brought
into close communion. However stupendons the
project may appear, It's Early acDonp ishmcnt is
nevertheless within the limits OF the enterprise and
highly stimulated energies of the day. The late rev.
olntion in the foreign policy Of China has awaken
ed the attention Of the public to the importance of
this overland communication between our Pacific
and Atlantic coasts. | can conceive that the whole
trade Of the Celestial empire may be diverted through
this channel, and that Europe may find her India
msrkst where she now purchases her cotton, tobac-
CO, and corn.
But the FIRST step in the prosecution of this vast
enterprise cannot be taken until this convention for
joint occupancy is abrogated. Again, SIR cit
zens are flowing into that teri tory in continu-
Gus tide Of emigration. They eavo-behnd them
the graves Of their ancestors, but carry with them
together with our language, our manners, and GUS
TOMS all those natural affections which attach them
tn the land Of their birth. They demand tho protec
ton Of our laws but this we cannot grant them dur
ing the existence Of this treaty for JOINT occupancy
Perfect protection to the citizen admits Of no divided
sovereignty. And yet we cannot deny it them with
out being recreant to duty and fithless to our
trust Sir, admit that the Roman republic, although
frequently alluded to by gentlemen in the progress
Of this debate, furnishes no model for our im-
tation. ] should deeply regret TO read our future
IN the page If blended virtue and crimes-of JUS
hce and opprssson-of magnanimity and mean
ness--of fidelity and treason-of pnofuse generos-
NY and the most grssping cupidity--of glorious
victories and widespread desolstion, which mark
her pathway to universal empire. The deep sha.