The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-27

But 10 pass over these ana ninnaT quesuohs,
which, lie had said before, some may be disposed
IN regard ss unimnortunt, we come 90 what all re-
gard as the great Question of difference between this
country and England-he meant the Oregon ques-
tion. This may be settled amicably, and II may
not Let US see how il stands al the present mos
ment. Our right and title 10 tbis tesrory--to the
'ohoie ofit--from AZ degrees upio o. 4o-has oeeh
demonstrated The arguments Of the two distn-
2 ushed secretaries (hdessrs. CALHOUN and BucHAS-
ANY are irrefragibe and conclusive. They are not
only unans wored but unanswerahe. The man
who should now question our title, would ma him
self subjected 10 the impuailon OF having elmer
weak head or AN uupatriouc heart
land claims over nine degrees, or what lies north OF
the Columbia river; and has never, upon any ocea-
sion, or under any circu instances, manifested as-
position TO Jake less. Will she take less Thrice
has the REIMBURSEMENT OF over hye degrees, more
than one-third of the whole territory been offered
10 her and thrice has il been refused-peremptori-
ly, if not contemporary. Compromise then has
failed. Liberally and concession have been met oy
llliberality and obstinacy. The paru.s DO" s'sno
upon their rights. National honos ana national uis
grace are now involved in the issue. That fngiahu
Intends TO maintain her claims, and is preparing for
the result TO which il inevitably tends, IA manifest
Eminent British statesmen, embracing the uiusr-
ent shades Of party organization, have st oxen 70
the British Parliament OF an ultimatum o. 'hen
part, which, If adhered 10, admits OF but one ater
native ours--assent with disgrace, or di Nsent
with war Il is true the voice Of individual, or
of few ipdividuals however exalted in station, Is
not always the voice Of the nation. But regardl ne
the debate in the British Parliament in eonnexio
with the tone Of the public press, the feeling mani
tested by the people at large the military and 'avai
for war which are being vigorously
pushed by she British government, and who can
doubt their ds.ign, and TO what all necessa riy
tends. Sin IL would be worse than folly, it wo aid
be criminal, shut eyes To passing events, nd
the portentous consequences necessarily connect cd
with them
The parles then having taken their respect, e
grounds what is TO follow Are we, as the disti Y
guished senator from Michigan asks, 10 reeed, 2
Shall we yield TO the threats Of power, what We
have denied on the score Of justice and equity
Shall our fears be made to pander 10 our diYracs?
Never The spirit Of our fathers must have ceased
to animate us ere submit to disgrace so
marked, so ndebly burnt, as il would be, into eur
very foreheads. Much as war is dreaded by the
American people-dreadful and disastrous as are
its consequences. there is yet spirit in our people
that would court 1t boon and blessing, rather
than incur the hghting and scathng effect Of dis
honor and disgrace. For war, under such circum-
stances, we are always prepared, though we had
not gun mounted, nor soldier enlisted. IL he knew
his own heart, this was said4in no vain and boast
ing spirit. To boast OF our prowess would but be-
tray our weakness To attempt to influence such
power England by gasconade, would be fd!s
gscous, and firm confidence in our capacities and our
power-n the justice Of our eause-in the warn,
hearts, strong arms, and sound patriotism OF our
people, and in the blessings Of Providence, could
neither be weak nor presumptuous.,
Under all the circumstances of the case, then,
what is il our duty TO do' Should we go upon the
ground that wsr is inevitable, and make suitable
preparations to meet III If SO, this bill falls infn
itely short Of what it should be. Should we, the
other hand regard peace as certain, and beyond the
possibility Of rupture, and do nothing This, he
apprehended, would be equally erroneous and short
sighted. The wise course then, appeared to him,
was to make such beginning, as while IT may not be
entirely incompatible with state of peace, may yet
afford TO the country some of security against
sudden attacks Of the enemy upon our seaport
towns. This medium, the Committee on Naval
Affairs have underworld to attain in the present BILL
and cannot but entertain the hope that large ma
jority of the Senate will be found 10 concur with
them. E. a...- ...
Thus far, no reference has been made to our ex-
listing relations with Mexico; and yet in these rea-
tons may find their strongest reasons for the
support of this bill In case Of actual hostilities
between the United States and Mexico, there could
be no doubt, he apprehended, that an additional
steam force would be absolutely Indispensable. To
encounter the winds and currents Of the Gulf Of
Mexico, and to meet the kind Of service that would
be required the Mexican coast steamships wGuld
be peculiarly adapted. Whether that power would
war with us, remained to be seen. Enough, how
ever, he apprehendod, was SEEM TO justify in in
ereasng our force TO the extent provided in this
bill.
An additional consideration in favor Of the bill,
and one entitled to no little weight may be found in
the fact that it is drawn substantially, in conformity
with the recommendations of the distinguished gen.
tleman at the head Of the Navy Department. The
secretary of the Senate will please to read the COM
munication addressed to the committee in reply to
their inquiries.
.-. NAVY DEPARTMENT, January s, 1896.
SIR In reply to the inquiries proposed in your letter OF
the 22d umo have the honor to enclose to you very
full report from the heads OF bureaux of this
Although the naval preparations of commerc nations
which struggling to maintain themselves in unnatu
ours which seeks only the occupation and defence its
territory the protection Of its citizens and their inter
the existing establishment the United
appears sufficient in all but eagoing steamers for
the Committee Naval Affairs the proprety greater
preparations than the ordinary annual appropriations
These greater preparations should consist as far as
Of what early day would be required in Of
the establishment of harmony with all nations
They should consist first Of an accumulation Of naval
the vessels which aaoa for such Of those the stocks
may be desirable to employ and for such other, 2.
immediate can be adopted for the collection Of
such material, and stores and the early purchase many
required for ordinary expenditures .r...
The second branch of expense that should at be
thorzed the disc reon Of the President should be the
pair and equipment Of all the vessels in ordinary and of the
rgate and sloops the stocks Were such authority and
means granted the President could exercise free
Judgment the selection Of vessels for immediate prepare
ton whilst the actual expenditure could be limited to
isting for the vessels and improbable outays
be avoided, II peace should continue
II is also advisable that the limitation heretofore imposed
enlistments in the navy by which the number Is
fined to 800 seamen be suspended for definite period
that further ensments be authorized and provided for
further proper in the event ofpeaoe increase
seagong steamers present the United States have
two the Princeton and the Mississippi that
at sea would recommend that authority be granted
the construction of three seamrgates five Steamships
and two steamers Of smaller class Such increase
would dsproportionate to
a time OF profound tranquility. -..... 'n.
twill also become necessary increase the ordnance
and ordnance This again would he but ancipa.
ton Of expense which at early day must in any contn-
gency be required. L
system Of steamers for barber defence to be thorough
ly eectua would involve the necessity OF fleet OF
for each harbor the country The
would he further aceased by The annual repairs which
would require repetition Of the whole outlay once in
seven or eight years II still further to be considered
that these steamers being only for haIbors and coasts
would In time peace prove costly burden without an