Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-02-04

nOt only IN the CeleOr1Icu btaCk t1aWk war,
which conducted to a most glorious result.
bu, IN the moro recent, though less glorious
in which ,hey were engaged with the great
and powerful Mormon nation. Tho shouts OF
triumph which arose from tho hard fought field
on which the Mormons routed and over
thrown, nrc YET ringing in our ears. Much less,
sir, would DO disposed to question the va'or of
people here, with distinguished advantage to them.
and honor to themselves; portion Of whom, if
report has not erred, have won for themselves I'M
fading laurels in both If those wars. Hero Mr..
Baker remarked, IL wish the gentleman would
specify.") Sir, (said Mr.. S.,) fear | should
call the blush Of modessy 10 that gent!eman's
cheek should | recount tho brilliant achievements
which rumor has attributed to him IN those
memorable wars. And, sir, tho distinguished
gentleman before me, tho honorable chairman of
tho Committee on Territories, (Mr. Douglass,} IS
we'll understood to be sharcr in tho same dis
,inction, although his great modesty and we'll
known diffidence might prevent him from claim
ing the need Of applause to which he IS so justly
entitled. But beg leave to assure tho gentle
man, that grateful country will fully appreciate
tho vaor he hns displayed amidst those martial
scenes; and his praises will yet be sung, until they
resound from the hills and valleys Of the great
West.
II is no, my design, Mr.. Chairman, in tho dis
cussioE of this question, to entcr into an exami-
nation Of the tito by which we claim tho Oregon
territory. Tho grounds Of title have been
shown with signal nbi,y by the able diplomatsts
to whom tho negotiations have been entrusted by
our Government. There is, however. one ground
of tito upon which our lights havo been most elo-
quently urged here, which is so novel and pecu-
liar in its character. that must for i momcn, al
lude to it. refer to tho title Of 'manfest dest-
n.y." It has been urged, with much zeal, that
"Oregon is ours by manifest destiny" | have
examined, with Some attention, the elaborate and
able correspondence which has taken place be-
tween the plenpo.entiaries of the two Govern
mon,s in relation to tho tito to the Oregon terrl-
tory; and although it is admitted by oil that our
Secretary Of State has displayed our tito with
great force and perspicuty. yet have looked in
vain to that correspondence for any reference TO
this now, and, some gentlemen soem to sup
pose it, Irresistible title. 1t is certainly roasona-
bio to presume tina. ncgotiator, i'll his ankle
~ TO convince, not only the British penlpotensta-
ry, but tho world, of tho validity of our title and
tho Justice of our claims, would have cited and
urged all the evidences OF our title which no sup
posed could. by any possibility, strengthen our
claims or Justify our pretonslons. Yet do not
find that he has, at any time, urged that we have
n tito to Oregon by 'manifcst destiny Nattci
and Grotus, VOL as all other writer's upon the
law Of nations. will be searched IN vain for tho
evid, ncoe Of xs,ence of such title. This title IS
n very comprehensive one. and, # established.
will fectuallv put rest all doubts and bubbles
in regard to tito by treaty, discovery, cxpora-
ton, or settlement. 1t would certainly possess
worry important advantage over all tho uilos
which have boon recognised by civilized nations.
Every nation must be allowed to ludgo of It's own
destiny, and Of the rights which that destiny con-
fers upon it. We can, therefore, extend our pos
sessions and increase our domlnions until they
correspond with the grand conceptions we may
form of our destiny. IL Oregon is ours by ''man-
ifcst destiny SO equally is California, Mexico,
Canada, and all Of the British provinces upon this
continent. If our destiny gives us ri ht to them
we may rs we'll at once commence tho process OF
annexing or "re-annexing'' them to the United
States II has been recently rumorcd that our
Government has furnished our newly appointed
minister TO Mexico with instructions to open NO.
gotia,ions with Mexico for the purchase of Cali
fornia. Would it not be as we'll to savo to our
Treasury the money which it may be proposed
to expend in this purchase, and assert 4 tito to
California BY ''nanifes, destiny!" Our claim to
that province upon the ground Of destiny i. GER
tainly strong the title by destiny TO Oregon.
California is separated from Oregon by no nat.
ural barrier. They arc divided but by arti-
fetal line. and if the ono is ours by "maniest des-
tiny" SEQ not why the other il not equally so.
Sir, have too much confidence in the strength
and Justice Of our claims to the Oregon territory,
to consent to base our title upon pretensons so RI
diculous and absurd. What may be the ultimate
designs Of Providence in regard to our nation, or
what may be our ultimate destiny is not yet made
manifest. 1tcanno, be disguised, that there is in
this country rapidly increasing lust for national
agrandizement-a thirst for territorial ucquisi-
tions-a longing for ncreas SEQ dominion.-lt is a
spirit full Of danger. and If fostered and encour-
aged, it needs not tho spri, Of prophecy to mako
manifest our destiny. Under the influence Of
this feeling. we have already cast wishfu and
longing eyes uron the provinces Of our neighbors.
The jealousy Of other nations is already aroused
against US, and we havo reason to fear that the
governments of Europe. well as Of our own
continent. will be united against to check our
entertainments upon the rights Of others.
The adverse claims Of the United States and
Great Britain to the Oregon territory, based as
by citizens Of both countries, wo az upon trea-
ties made by both Goyernmen.s with Snain. are