The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-10

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scy into war with one or both Of those ma tons.
He thought that on this account favorable deci-
sion upon this measure, even as Psacs MEASURE,
before any action whatever upon the delicate mat
tiers just adverted to, was demanded " every prin-
ciple of prudent and wise policy. Something 10
due TO these who have approximations OF impending
war especially those in the States most exposed on
the Atlantic and gulfcoasts They svearixht TO de-
mand Of us not only security, but that We should
adopt measures in advance TO give all full comb
denee in that security. This government belongs
10 the States, and the people Of all the States. Il
was formed for the purpose OF afiording them
ouist and protection. IL should not be inslru-
ment merely foe the use Of ambitious politicians.
The frst most certain and proper mode Of creating
the confidence Of the States and Of the people in their
secury-of satisfying all that the protection which
they have a right 10 demand will be aiforded-is TO
be always prepared 10 meet menaeed difficulties
though perchancs danger may not exist, or HOSTILE
lies break out.
Il has been suggested that IL we adopt this meas
uns Il may be improperly connected BY Great Britain
with the Oregon controversy; be regarded by her as
an isdicsiion u hostile disposition by towards
\ nor md, even considered msnAes OF war against
her IL she does not yield the whole Of Oregon forth
with. IL has been said il may hazard The favora-
BILE success Of possible future negotiations TO pre-
serve the peace He did not think But he
asked has no, Great Britain been for time and
is she not now accommodating and increasing her naval
resources She is armed to the teeth, ready for
war. Ii she prefers TO suspect our motives for
adopting this measureif she chooses 10 be offended
by il, il will be a mere pretext and such conduct
NAV be attributed TO an anxiety to discover cause
for execution TO any course we may pursue. But
he asked has il come to this' Shall this govern
ment forbear to place our navy upon iooung cor
responding with the character ability and resources
of the conederacy because forsooth, such measures
NAV excite the suspicion, and awaken the jealousy
of Great Britain. Sir, (said Mr.. w. If Great
Britain as hope, and inclined TO believe, really
desires peace with US, the adoption OF this policy
will not deter her from seeking its preservation.
II il has any influence it would most probably prompt
her 10 such course. She will then he satisfied that
the American people united and In earnest IN
the determination to maintain their Just rights at all
hazards and she will redouble her efforts to avoid
collision. IL Great Britain is sincere in her profess
sions Of amy all the effect Of this measure on the
Oregon controversy would therefore be in favor of
the preservation OF peace between the two countries
and If ii was determined on war, all admit that we
should adopt this measure forthwith.
IL is true, IL this bill is adopted ayowedy upon
some Of the principles urged in Its favor, and imPu-
ted by its opponents as the causes Of It's being pro-
posed-ifit really could be regarded as war meas
re and as connected beyond the extent conceded II
should be with our foreign relatons-with the
Oregon difhculty-if adopted ayowediy on that
ground of an unavoidable war at an early period
with Great Britain, it might, perhaps, be calculated
to arouse the PRIDE awaken the war-spirit OF that
country, and excite nOstle feefng5 toWhfus US. ~
was for this he had stated that he not satisfied
with the manner in which the bill had been brought
forward. He should have liked to have seen II ac-
companed by report from the committee, sustain.
ing the bill solely as peace measure.
When he avowed on former occasion thai he
would not support any affirmative acton onthe par
of this government which might increase the proba-
bilities Of war, until measures similar TO those pro-
| posed by this bill were adopted, he was influenced
by the considerations he had just adverted to; but
he was now prepared to 60 further, and say that he
would not psrciputs IN any afhrnative action as 10
Oregon upon which serious Differences Of opinion eI-
ised az to their tendency to secure peace, u after
the defence of the Atlantic and gulf coasts had been
first provided for and il not "tcar establishment,
at least respectable naval ''pencs establishment"
had been created. He would not now attempt to
decide the disputed questions to what course Of
policy with respect to Oregon would increase di-
ininish the chances Of war with Great Britain II
was sufficient for him that serious differences OF
opinion existed on those points, to induce him TO
adhere to the determination he had just declared.
Mr.. w. regretted that some of the advocates as
well as the opponents of the bill, who had before
spoken upon it, had seemed disposed to regard j, as
,car measure. Such course he was satisfied, placed
some senators who will vote for this b-and
among them himself-ina false position, if they gave
a silent vote.
| For one he. discaimed supporting it as ,car meas
ys in any wise; and such position was not inconsst-
ent with the refusal to sustain any policy which
might lead to war till it was adopted. He was IN
| favor of il a peace. measWe-as measure proper
and necessary, if Oregon up to $40 40 was coded to
US to-day without word of further dispute, and
even if California was tomorrow annexed to the
Union by treaty with Mexico. 1t was, in his opn.
ion, necessary no,c-woud become more necessary
if these events should ever ensue peacefully
1 He appealed to those actuated by desire FOL
| peace to vote for this measure He regarded 1t as
i measure preventive Of war. Hereafter governments
| lxuf na ma he
degree, by the knowledge Of our being prepared fol
the shock of war; when, il we unprcpared as we
now are, they would be invited by the prospect Of
! an EASY victory at the commencement, to commit
hostiliiies and provoke us TO war.
4 MIR. w. said he did not desire to see this confed
| eracy become great military or naval republic o,
to manifest eagerness for hostIlities with other ma
/ TONS A auarresome nation as desplcable, ano
should be as odious, as quarrelsome INDIVIDUAL
| Our policy was peacc--our pathway to prosperity
power and true glory, that Of peace. Our instr
buttons were more congenial to peace than te
war. He had idea of this government be
coming an instrument Of propagandism, by force
of arms, even of the principles OF republican
constitutional liberty, either on this continent
Il or in South America, or in the West Indies There
might be those who thought it wise and statesman
like to initiate the example Of the famous Anachars'
i KIootz of French revolutionary memory, and that
we should sci ourselves up az the defenders ant
Y protectors Of the human race in general; that ou
'eagle should spread her wings till their overshad
i owing protection was extended over the mulattt
republics south Of u.s. and over the free-negrt
republic of Hayti. If there were such Mr. w
sad) he did not agree with them. He thought
much better that we should mind our own business
/ Attend to our own concerns and we had enough u
do. If we succeeded in permanently securing II
our own country and to one race of men--to irh'f
msn-the blessings of civil, POLITICAL and religious
Q freedom, and perpetuating for their benefit tn
, principles Of constitutional liberty, we should az
more than any other government had ever been ab'
to achieve, and, for himself, he was satisfied with
, this.
Mr.. w. said he did not desire any increase Of tn
navy to carry out any romantic notions Of the char
acter he just alluded to- nor to win glory and re
nown for our flag in any hoped for contest with AM
!, power on earth He did not value the glory result
,ng from military or naval victories very sub
s,antia possession to nation, or as valuable, excep
so far as il tended to excite patriotic emulation, an
TO deter other governments from essailing such ma
= ton.
Mr.. w said, also, he advocated the proposed n
crease of the navy, because he believed u was &c
= cor he nrOta