The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-26


arrogant than to claim moderation because coun-
Try 10 not prepared 10 put 0payd arrogant professions?
ifihis be the moderation of England, what would be
her arrogencei
Look at the state Of things in Bfazi The treaty
between that country and England on the subject Of
the right OF search has pred But has the right
expired alsol IL has, bat not the practice Eng land
yet stops, with the strong hand, Brazilian ships,
wherever she hnds them, in tropical attitudes and
| selLes and sends them TO her own courts of admi-
rally for condemnation. And this in utter contempt
oil all the laws regulating the rights Of independent
nations.
allude TO all these faets, sir, beesuas tbkE oi,vbt
to warn US OF our duty alude TO them, in despite
OF the charge which has been, and will again be
made-out Of the Senate, in it-of desire TO ex-
cite undue prejudice against England. 4 have no
such desire. But have desire, that nv own
country should be aware Of her true position, and
should be prepared 10 meet her responsibility what
ever difficulties may beset her pa,h-prepared air.
IN head, In hand, and In heart. Yes, sir, notwlth.
standing the severe commentaries which a casual
expression Of the honorable senator from Ohio has
encountered FRO a portion OF tie publie press, l
wiil repeat the expression-prepared in the heart
For II war should come, which may Providence
avert, trust the hearts Of countrymen will be
prepared for the struggle II will bring There is no
better preparation nor any or augury Of
| success. =
When l read the Presidents message, sir, !
found four principal statements or suggestions
which seemed 10 me 10 render our relations with
England exceedingly CRITICAL SO critical indeed, al
TO demand the Immediate attention and action OF
CongIss, and the solemn consideration of the coup-
Try The President stated, in effect, that the nego-
| uauons with England on the subject of Oregon
were closed that We had clear title TO the whole OF
IL that the years notice for the termination OF
tho convention ought TO be given and that
we should then take exclusive possession of the
whole country. do not quote the words, but
these are substantially the views Of the Presi-
dent. Now, sir, 1t was clear to me that here was a
state OF things which might web excite the solicit
tude of any man in the unprepared condition Of
the country. Aud yet what walls Of wrath have
been poured out upon the heads Of all the senator's
whose measures really tended TO avert war by pre-
pairing for u. The mails are loaded with abusive
anonymous letters, because they believe the country
is in danger, and believing SO, say SO, and thus sal
ing and believing, strive to prepare for the worst,
still hoping though sometimes against hope, for the
best.
The honorable senators the other side, who
took part in the discussion respecting the national
deienees, believe, without exception, expressed
their satisfaction at the Presidents message. And
yet no man can deubt that IL the measures suggest
ed by him are carried into effect, and il England
does not reeede greatly from all her former posi-
TONS war must come. Sull we are called panic
makers and seekers Of war. As the thermometer
Of the stock exchange rises and falls representa-
VI TIC pcopic Wlsc OF Thsn IN the measures he
proposes or honest dishonest in the motives that
actuate him. IL is not my habit to cast reflections
upon any class Of employment but without violating
this rule may express the qualification that there
are higher interests than those Of stock jobbng in
this country, and a mighty mass who control its
deshn!es, aud who know nothing Of the operations
Of Wa-street 6nancier.
expressed my appreciation of the Presidents
message; but on the subject Of the state Of the coun
try, did not say word more than intended and
intend now. ! am no lover OF war. | am no seeker
Of it. But have TO learn that il is FASTENED by
adequate preparation. | have passed through one
war, and hope never to see another. Still I shall
never cry peaeeI peace, uhless believe thefe is
truly peace. The honorable senator from Kentucky,
whom ! hrst met many years ago. marching to the
battle field, and who will always be found on the
side OF his country, supposed, when the question Of
the national defence under discussion, / had
said war was inevitable. He misunderstood me. I
considered the danger of war imminent, not inevi-
table. Had | thought it inevitable, should not
have submitted propositions for inquiry but deci-
sive measures for adoption. hold on firmly, sir,
to every word said before, neither softenng nor ex-
planning, but denying, because l apprchcnded we
might have war, therefore desired it. And |
still consider danger imminent, not diminished SO
far as l know, by the recent arrival. The subject
In controversy remains precisely it was. The
question was, and is, whether shall surrender TO
the British demands, or whether the British gov
is made by either party, the two countries will be
brought into conflict. | see no indication that one
or the other will sufficiently yield. And there is an
article in the London Times, Of January 9, which
does not look as though England would 60 farther in
her offers than she had already gone 1t is unequi
vocal and decisive.
Equality Of holding dictated by justice Equality OF
partition between England United States is dictated
by the convenience Of both What the conditions Of this
partition ought shall consider on another occa
contend, that both
and those higher considerations OF comprehensive equity
vanages whether of soil harbori which for half
century have been shared with equal security and equal
benefit by the subjects OF the British and the
OF the United States"
And feel at liberty to say that nothing has been
received by the government, by the last packet,
which would at all warrant us in suspending or
ppstponing our measures of defence.
j Mr.. WEBSTER. Have they received any ad-
vices at alp .,
MIR. CASS. They have.
Mr.. WEBSTER. Have they received any adj
vices creating any additional necessity for augment
ing the defences of the country,
Mr.. CASS. do not know that any Of that pur-
port have been receved--if did, do not know
that should be at liberty to state them. All know
49, thu the character Of the advces such as cannot
Jusnfy any change in our policy.
'NMr. WEBSTER. Well, that is all that under
stood. ... ..r
It's not men, but fears and facts that make pancs
ih .hs country, II must adopt that word. But
repudiate it as applicable to the great bodv of the
American people. They feel no panic. They feel
anxiety, no doubt but determination also-a hope
that England will do us justice, and if not, deter
mnation to do justice to themselves.
! must ask the indulgence Of the Senate for al
uding to this topic at this time do so with the
deep conviction that all other Legislative measures
should give way to measures of defence, and in the
hepe that such will be the action of Congress
Then, If war comes, we shall have no self-reproach
20 meet, and If peace is preserved, what we do will
DC well done for similar future contingency which
no nation can expect long to avoid. :. 49,,
One word more. Much hiss been said Of the
activity going on in the arsenals and dock-yards OF
England, and of the augmentation she is making in
her military and naval means. OF the fact itself
there is no doubt, though various motives have
been assigned for her conduct hold in my hand
an extract from the Journal des Debats Of the Is,
Of December last The character of that journal is
well known: 1t enjoys the full confidence of the
French ministry. IL is cautious in its statement of
facts, and especially of great political facts, and eau