The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-02-10
~CORRESPONDENCE OF THE
COURIER.

WASHINGTON, January 81.
PEACE AND WAR Measures AND OPIN-
IONS. Mr.. Benton has delighted all ears TO-
day,-at least all not stopped by the stun
ming cries of war and its passionate appeals.
by raising his voice for peace. The prop
Usirion to expend five millions and six hun
dred thousand dollars for ten new war steam
crs, and to pledge the entire proceeds from
the sale of the public domain for building
ten more he scouts as an idea not for mo-
ment to Re entertained. The first appropri.
ton, in addition to the sum asked from the
Secretary of The Navy, wonld make an ex-
pendiiure OF twelve millions for the navy
alone The time has been, he SAYS, when an
administration was defeated for expending
thirteen millions for all The services of gov
eminent, lille now it is proposed TO lay out
nearly this amount upon the navy. More
over, Mr.. Benton says he is for peace; and as
there is no danger that peace of the country
will be disrurbe. he cannot consent to advocate
a war measure like that before the Senate
MIR. Benton spoke warmly and earnestly oil
the blessings Of peace, and of the RESPONSE
bility resting upon those who would disturbe
the peaceful relations of the country Hi:
speach was in the extreme of a contrast will
that by which the debate was introduced, by
Mr.. Fairfield OF Maine, the chairman Of Tho
Committee on Naval Affairs. The little gen
tleman from Maine, who was as fiery as
red pepper-pod during the discussion of thu
Northeastern Boundary question, looked
forward to the time when our expansiv,
I destiny was TO place us in possession of III
whole orth-Amerca continent. Mr.. Fair
/ field declared, also, thai the dav was not ia
- 4 i.
not for Oregon perhaps, hut for our very pol
itical existence. Mr.. Benton, in reply 10 this
said he was not ready TO go TO war, or II
talk war, or TO vote for war measures. whe
every thing around us indicated a proloun'
peace. He therefore moved TO postpone tn
bill until the LIST of May.
Mr.. Dickinson thought there was sufficicr
danger of war to warrant large increase O
the navy, though he was willing to admi
thai the recent news was highly pacific. Fl
! thought, so long as we were giving Englan
bread. she would not give US war. In rep
TO Mr.. Benton. he thought that there was a
much danger that IN administration nigh
loo Sc power re refusing to defend the country
as for expending too much money.
Mr.. Hannesau Of Indiana. and Mr.. Fair
field of Maine, continued the debate. Tn
Senator from Maine ventured upon the re
mark that Mr.. flanagan had shown NOR
zeal than discretion in his proposition t
increase the navy by pledging all the pro
ceeds arising from the sale of the public lands
For his zeal, Mr.. Haunegan said, it was nat
ural TO him. He was not one Of those VIII
could smile, and smile again, and murde
while he smiled" He had brought forwar
his proposition in good faith, and was read
to pledge the land fund for ten addiiiona
war steamers. As to the Oregon question
he said he did not believe that England wou''
Weld up TO 81 degrees 40 minute. and he wa
sure that this coutry would never consent Il
any things short ofrhat: the wish of Mr.. Han
negan is father 10 the thought. Congres
would vote tomorrow to compromise thi
question upon the forty ninth dsgree of noril
Iatiiude, and two thirds of the Senate woul,
doubtless concur in any such wise conclusion
of this vexsd question. More would not b.
yielded, but this much would and will.