The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-27

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| act OF their minister in rejecting our offer, and
propose now TO accept ii. This, think, that
! government will not do; and if not we shall at
length find ourselves clear of the siiackles of
negotiation, and free TO exercise our full rights.
But, at all events, the President has now re-
commended that we give this notice. Suppose
we do not do IL. VIII IL not be an ntimation TO
the British government that Congress does not
concur with The President in his views as To the
validity of our title and will not convey more
Illuminating acknowledgement that we did not feel
ourselves able 10 vndicate our title I? Graf Britain
was now In the possession Of all the right that she
clained-that ot joint occupancy and until this
notice was given, she would never settle the ques-
ZION by negotiation, because negotiation would
not probably SO terminate as To place her in
better condition Ii is my opinion that if you
VIII end this convention, the question will then
ne brought up with an intention to do some
thing with it but, until then. negotiation WILDE
all tvadd!e. The gentleman from South Caro-
lima Mr. Rheul had argued against this pol
icy of taking any steps at this time, which might
lead to Il war with Great Britain, lest we should
be considered by the nations CT Europe as propa-
gandsis and thus bring upon ourselves the hostil-
ity of all the world. Bnt we have no desire TO
90 beyond our own territories. We confine our.
selves to our own Ill and ought we not 10 incpl-
cate orr principles and establish our institutions
there, fearless, of consequences II was our du-
iy 10 see oar own country covered with our own
er communities TO a participation with us in the
benz fils OF free government regardless of any
combinations that might he formed by m9narchs
To strangle our institutions.
We have no right 10 go to Canada and endea-
vonr 10 lurce her into our Union but, is she
should seek shelter under our government, it
would be perfectly proper for us to pull up tho
latch and let her in So far from being wealined
by ihose acquisitions, every new. State added
another pillar 10 The temple of liberty TGey
viii never have any desire TO break of from us
because they come in by their Own cnnSent The
Roman empire extended itself by conquest ma
lions were forced under its yoke by the strong arm
of power.-'rhe Consequence was, hat what was
acquired by the sword must he maintained by
the sword. When this power could not be con-
tinued, the empire fell to peices. Hence some
gentlemen had drawn The Argument, that by an
extension OF territory. we shunlI ultimately be
weakened, aad he broken into fragments. But
this would not be the res suit bccatlse, whilst their
constant tendency was To separation, ours was
to cohesion.
Gentlemen had argued that war would be al
tended wirh great evils that il would corrupt or
change our republican institutions, and lead to a
heavy deaf, the black tariff. and To paper money
Sir, | am considered democrat. dyed in the
wool. II has been thought, generally, that | am
one hundred and fifty yards ahead of my party.
have always opposed the protective tariff, and
the whole funding system. But if going to war
for The protection of onr SOIL and The defence of
our national rights and honor, necessarily leads to
the depression of the party with which act, and
the building up Of those Of an opposite faith, am
prepared TO make the sacrifice; believing, as do,
that under the administration Of any party, orr
institutions would flourish, each party being
equally deSirous 10 promote the public goud. But
| deny that these results will follow from war.
deny That the doctrines Of republicanism cannot
flourish in the storm Of war, as well as in the
calm of peace. The assertion we dsproye by
facts in orr history. Every field in the western
country had been stained by tho blood Of our ia
thers-ihe early pioneers; and yet there liberty
had nJurished in the widest luXuriance, and
with the least national protection Our institn-
tions were born in the shOck Of The American re-
voutnn, and reared in the conflict Of arms that
followed. do not desire war peace is our forte.
But if war come, we must assert our rights, re-
gardIcss Of consequences do not desire 10 de-
nounce the British government bul despse this
constant Wanting of British power in The Arneri-
can Congress What is England The govern
mcnt whose seat Of empire is fJund on little is
land anchored in the North sea. Trne she has
spread her wings around the earth but al her
greatness is based on her commerce. Clip these
wings Of her commerce, and you soon bring her
back to The insgnifcance of an island govern
ment. If destiny intends that this nation shall
be the means Of ogerlbrowing her power, am
| glad 20 belong 10 The nation that " i'll be the in
sifument, and to live in the aye that will witness
! the cuftailment Of her naughty power. This was
! not war measure. There would re no war;
unless England made it, If her destiny should
! urge her to that course might be the first step
/ towards her downfall Some gentlemen have
scuffed az destiny, governing the fate Of ma
| tons Sir, hero were we two centuries apo
We were a feeble band Of pilgrims on Plymouth
rock and a small body Of cavaliers ON the sonih
crn sands. From this small beginning, and in
this short time we have gone on, step BY step,
multiplying and advancing towards the Pacific,
til the aborgiuees Of the country had disappear
Cd before US, Ike Tie msls Of morning before tie
sun. until they rest a small cloud on the shore
! Of the western ocean. Was not tie hand of des.
tiny seen in ihot2 IIo who did not see IL must
! he an ufdcl, Ut stone bind. To the Pacific
ocean il is our destiny TO 60. The hand Of Prov
idence pointed ~ onward.
Shall we pause in our career, OF ro;raco our
Steps because the British lion has chosen 10 place
himselfin onr patti? IIad orr blood already be-
come so pale that we should treinble at the roar
Of the king Of bcasis7 We will not 90 ont Of our
wsy 10 seek a connc, wirh him tot if lie crosses