The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-20

chances of at best disastrous war with Gres, Brit
ain.
Sir, | am not satisfied Ivy the remarks which
have fallen from the gentlemen who insist upon the
whole or none ofthe territory that they themselves
have any very clear conception Of The means neces
ISsry to accomplish their purpose. The one por-
ton of these gentlemen propose what has beer
termed ''niasterly inactivity" the other, i'm
mediate and coercive measures, Though ! ques.
ton not gentlemen's sincerity, nor doubt then
valor, yet | much fear that the lofty pre-.
tensions of the first, compared with theil
supineness of action. will pass In the eye of the
world as a very shallow covering for timid coun
ses--a sort Of whislling to keep, ones courage up
The other has more Of the brayado IN II, bu
seems equally wide Of its purpose. True, the gen
denlan from Michigan Mr.. CHIpsAsl pledges the
State OF Michigan alone TO tdke Canada Ia ninety
days This, at all events, looks like action but i
might have occurred 10 that gentleman, that in the
last war, Gen. Hull proposed somewhat similar
feat, and issued like boastfu proc amaion; and IN
less than twenty days thereafter, he and HIS gallant
army passed beneath the capdine forks. 1 intend
sir, no Improper comparison sbelweoa Michigan
Then aud Michigan now | metely .alhdc to " foi
the purpose Of showing that lofty pretensions and
Ihigh-soundlng promises are not always the best
evidences of faithful and efficient performance. Per-
haps the gentleman will make the application. An
other gentleman seems to- think there will be a
great deal Of yalorous bush-fghting in Oregon; and
in the exuberance of his fancy, ttks about the
fountains Of the Pacific coast spouung blood until
they shall have tiDged the broad ocean with their
crimson currents. Sir, there will be no fighting in
Oregon The few inhabitants of that vast forest
will be content TO remain quiet and await the fear
ful shock whiehis TO uproot and unsele the nations
of the earth. The war will be in Canada, in the
British colonial islands, on our own frontiers, on
the ocean, wherever the two nations may be deemed
most vulnerable, or can meet in deadly and mortal
combat. The blood and resources OF the two ma
lions will be eNhauAel m ihe frtiiflesx sfrng0le
All the worst passions Of the human race will be
aroused and brought into fierce action; commerce
will he destroyed, civilization retarded, and the
progress of improvement rolled back for half a
eenturyi the bonds OF society will be ruptured and
the affections crushed; The page that records the tr-
umph viii he stteaked with blood, and the cheer
that halls the victory will meet with no response at
the desolatc hreSide and in the breaking heart IL
10 well said, that no little hereafter be waged
between these two great and powerful nations; no
war OF outposis and detachments. lt.wi be Eng
land, with all her tremendous military resources
matched with the aroused and terrible energies Of
nation of freemen--the long-deferred contest for
the dominion Of the western continent and for mar
ltime supremacy-the fearful deaih-slrugglo with
which foe grapples foe, and falters not nor yields
until death unnerves the muscle and relsxes the
grasp 1t would be well for gentlemen who talk thus
hlPpsnty OF a contest where blows are 10 be Civ
en- and not received, where laurels are TO Ice
won without the cypress to turn their attention for
little to the magnitude Of hostile preparations, and
learn TO look the realities of steadily and stern
y IN the face. The time for the exercise Of all
their courage and patriotism may be nearer than
they suppose. War will not ensue from any dis
Puted boundary in Oregon unless it be preeipitated
toy our own lndscretion. If we yield 10 England
the territory north of the 4gth pcraIle--and more
than that she should not haVe--ahd war Their en-
sue, the disputed boundary will be the pretexi not
the cause. IL, IN her newly-awakened apprehen-
for the safety of her colonies
continent, 1t Is the purpose Of England at this time
IN conjunction with other European powers, 10
humble the pride and cripple the resources of this
republic, concession OH our par, would be worse
than pseess, Give her the WHO'S Of Oregon, and
en-. " find pretext for the qaarrel she wfii IND
h in California, In McKee, cnths reefs Of Florida,
or The banks Of Newfoundland. She WI. ind 1t
wherever the red cross meets the flag Of tho Union
on the ocean: Concession on our part would not
prevent nor long postpohe tks struggle; and the
more resouely We meet it in the assertion Of the
principle Of demuhdins rQthins bnt what is clearly
night, and submitting to nothing, #toBsi the
more .sctlly may we hope for a speedy and favora-
BILE issue. Sir, the DANCE rrcv be remote-appre-
hension may be causeess. | am inclined 10 think
that the time has gone by when the combined inter-
ests of European monarchies could seriously think
of arresting the progress of human rights at least
on the western continent. But "coming events cast
their shadows before" The insidous suggestion
of balance of power upon this continent n,anifests
trembling apprehension that the Atlantic is not
broad and deep enough to protect the East from the
al.cncroachihE infuercss Of rational but ptogres
sive democracy. The political atm6SrhAte Of Ed
rope has become dark and lurid; elements never be-
fore combined are now found in close alliance Our
ancient friend and ally is prompt to suggest to its
Encieh and hereditary enemy the readiest means Of
checking the progress Of the fir:feachng republic
The gathering storm is preceded BY tie deep ndt.
terings of the distant thunder. No human forel
-. .f,,I
be produced by the bold assertion of political
right, when the contest is stimulated by the pas
sous ensendered In the warfare Of conflicting prin-
cples. fiampden by resisting the collection Of a
six-penny tag, AROUSED Spirit in England which
never again slept until ii had overturned the
arch to the block. The colonies, by re-
sisting an equally triling tax upon tea, dismem-
bered the British empire, and laid the foundation
for great and now powerful republic. What
mighty revolutions may now be on the verge Of
their accomplishment, it is impossible for to fore
the progress Of events, with firm reliance upon
our undoubted rights, and stern determination to
maintain them at all and every hazard.
Sir, my allotted time has nearly expired, and
have but word more to say. hope that the boun-
dairy of the 49th parallel may be understood TO be
our ultimate offer, and that it will not be renewed,
but that it will be considered the limit of claim
whilst the peaceful relations Of the two countries re-
main unbrokenj but if, contraryto my judgment
and my sense of justice the doctrine of the whole of
Oregon or none should prevail with the admnistra-
ton, woud then shy that am fully aware of the
objections to engaging in war with Great Britain
upon the issue presented in this csotroversy. Per.
haps no American citizen now living could be per-
sonoy benefited by the result Of the contest, how
ever favorable 1t would imply, then, large draught
upon our national feelings to expect cordial and
unanimous assent to measures which must, Of ne
cessity, involve such mighty sacrifice. But, sir,
can easily understand that there may be conditions
of national rights and national honor which impe-
riousy demand this last evidence Of devotion TO
ones country. Fully impressed with the fearful
responsibility resting upon the representatives of the
people, would then cease to inquire into the jus-
ticc expedoncy Of maintaining the stand taken
by the Executive; l would merely counsel the most
prompt and liberal appropriations for the public de-
ftnce and, if war be nevitabeas believe il would
be in that contipgency-for prosecuting it with
vigor; for whilst~my sangune hopes for her future
prosperity prompt the patriotic sentiment--"My
country may she ever be right" yet the knowledge
that my fortunes, by inclination if not necessity
inseparably connected with hers, impes me to add,