The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-01-06
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 1856,

Objectionable, and he was quite ready to
vote for appropriations which might be
deemed necessary at any time to place the
country in stale of complete defence, and
TO provide against the possible contingen-
| cy of a war. The remarks however,
which were made by the honorable Sena-
tor from Michigan, the mover of these
resolutions, gave to them a peculiar sig
nifcance, peculiar degree of consequence
and importance, under the circumstances
in which they were placed. Those re-
marks, i'll fact, according to his under
standing, conveyed an assurance, and
from very high authority, too, that war
might now be looked upon as almost in
evitable. They were, as far as the hon.
orable Senator could make them so, a
declaration of war. Remarks of that
character were calculated deeply to affect
the interests of the people, and serious
" to disturb the business of the country.
He felt assured, therefore, that the Sena-
| tor had not made them unadyisedly and
without proper deliberation. AS for this
Government receding from the propo si-
tions she had already made, the Senator
had said that he mentioned it only for the
purpose of denouncing it. Our position,
then, was fixed; and unless Great Britain
thought proper to recede, there must be
! war. When did Great Britain ever re-
cedes But more than this: they were in
| formed that the President, in his message,
had recommended that notice should be
given of the termination of joint occu-
pancy; and the Senator had proceeded to
say that, if the notice were given, war
would be inevitable. They were, indeed
then, according to the authority of the
honorable Senator, standing on the very
verge of war. And if the whole Senate
were the same opinion, instead of adopt
ing a resolution of inquiry which they
were now called on TO adopt, they would
at once make every effort at preparation
and putting on all their armor without
any delay.
Mr.. Cass desired to explain. He did
not say that war was inevitable, but that
if England, at the expiration of the year
persisted in the practical assertion Of heI
claim to the Territory of Oregon, it would
lead to war. He had stated YESTERDAY
and he would repeat it now, that he be-
lieved England would persist in thai
claim.
! Mr.. Crittenden. Under these impo-
sing circumstances, we may well ask OF
the watchman, what of the night! What
are we to do! take it for granted thai
we shall give the notice of the termination
of the joint occupancy; and, if we do, the
Senator tells us there must be war.
Mr.. Cass, But | added, as | now do,
if England persists, as believe she will,
in practically asserting her claim.
| Mr.. Crittenden. Then the Senator
wishes to be understood as speaking
qualiiedly. | would be very glad to
hear an explanation from the honorable
Senator by which public anxiety might
be re lieved.
Mr.. Cass said he could give no such
explanation. His opinion, if the Senator
desired to hear it, was, that we are al
that England would persist in her claim.
Mr.. Crittenden said that these momen-
tous announcements were calculated, he
thought, to create very great apprehen-
sions in the public mind, particularly
when coupled with other remarks of the
same nature made by the honorable Sen
ator. After, for instance, informing the
Senate that England was not in the habit
of receding from ..any pretension which
she once sets up, though we cannot set
tie the differences in any other way, he
vet repudiates the idea of arbitration.-
Well. then what was the conclusion al
which the honorable Senator arrived!-
| 1t was that war was inevitable.
Mr.. Cass observed that he did not
wish to convey any other idea than he
very much feared war would ensue, be-
cause he believed that England would
| persist in her pretensions.
Mr.. Crittenden now understood the
Senator to say that he believed England
would peisist in asserting her claim to
the whole Of the Oregon territory,
Mr.. Cass. That is it.
Mr.. Crittenden. Well, after the speech
of the Senator of yesterday, that is some
thing of a retraction.
Mr.. Cass. | do not retract single
word. will repeat what said. Mr..
G. here took copy of the report of his
speech, as prepared by himself for the
Union. and read the passage referred to.
Mr.. Crittenden. Now am totally al
loss. Does the gentlemen mean that il
we give the notice, and he thinks we
ought to give it, war will necessarily fol-
| low!
Mr.. Cass. If, at the expiration of the
year, England persists in her claim;
cannot say what she will do, but believe
she will persist.
Mr.. Crittenden. The Senator then
at length, instead Of announcing an In