The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-09

to do so in view Of our present circumstances, am
England were 10 reject it-for we have reasoi
to believe that she would accede to it--would il no
justly degrade in our own estimation, and incu
| for US the contempt Of other nationsl England cal
consistently take that step without compromisin.
her national character; and this notice will nerpss
no barrier.
II England and the United States go to war
| II will not grow out of the resolution beior
the Senate but il will be contingent upon the incl
nation and disposition Of England apart from TIM
question IL Is by no means likely that she vii
involve herself in war for a country described by
honorable senators on this floor as barren and use
less-a desert waste. England is too polite To haz
ard war for such paltry considerations. She war;
for empires the gold and dominion of the Indies
are the stakes for which she now plays.
II is not the policy of this country to seek war
Its policy has been peaceful, and il should SO con.
tinue. The annexation Of Texas TO the United
Statesan event Of too recent occurrence TO require
lexplanaton--is a practical commentary upon the
policy of this government. Eight years after Texas
had become an independent nation, the United
States thought proper TO take action upon an appli
cation which Texas had made TO them for admis-
sion soon after the declaration Of her independence
This presented a fair opportunity for the United
States TO have extended her dominion by acduisi-
ton, had her policy been that Of national aggran-
dizement and dominion On the contrary, Texas
was permitted TO remain under embarrassed eircum-
stances for eight years before action was taken upon
her application, and ten ere annexation WINS con.
animated. rtA@ Do @ aau- I'll Il
Permit me, Mr.. President, in this connection, TO
read an extract from late number Of the London
Sun, journal, | believe, Of much respectability;
and though not strictly the official organ IL may be
justly regarded as pretty fair index to ministerial
and popular sentiment in England.
In this way, imagine, we may be enabled to OBJ
tain significant and Instructive view Of the feelings
entertained towards popular governments on that
side Of the water, IL nothing more. The editorial
to which aude, bearing date March the 4th, last,
reads thus
genee from America and the surprise with which was
ceived by certain parties in the city one would imagine
the only mode left open settle the Oregon question
wholly xpected and that the most sangune hopes
entertained that his excelency would recede from his
naughty claims announced in his message to Congress
Butese persons could have grounds for such
claimed the whole Of territory was evidently made
without due consideration and with good party reasons
for maintaining the point and whatever has occurred since
in Congress far from weakening his authority in that
spec providing smicabe Of settlement has
all been in the contrary direction Violent war speeches
have been made by CAs and others in the Senate usually
calm disposed peace and inclined to check rather than
encourage popular excitement and the most moderate
speakers that assembly Ventured TO adduce arguments
In opposition Mr. Folks views but seemed rather to con-
tent themselves with expressing wish to preserve peace
strength There real objection to the principle
The time for action was the only Question"
From this we should infer, Mr. President, that
England imagines that her rights have not received
the full advocacy in this honorable body TO which
they were entitled; and the inference is clear, that
the Senate maintain its peaceful character in her
estimation should have rendered decided oppos-
ton to the recommendations Of the Executive. In
confederation Of this, the article proceeds to say
"ln the House Of Representatives similar spirit pre-
vailed and meetings Of doors held for the pur
Fal. Narttk nj ntV
least encouragement TO those who wished for peace
II England should expect popular meetings to be
held in this country for the purpose Of encouraging
the abandonment Of our national rights, or with
holding proper support from the Executive in his
recommendations in vindication Of the national in
terests and character she may rest assured that she
has formed an unfair estimate of the popular sent.
ment of America. ! read further:
From the OF this unfortunate bushes
fully convinced that Polk and the party
ysw Of question bat from the entire system Of govern
ment now unfortunately SO popular in that country tx
present race The inhabitants adjoining the lakes
British territories the northeast have for many years
kept longing eye Canada and only bde their time. In
the South aggression the order OF the day because the
Mexicans cannot defend themselves. The tide is flowing
eh,ertence Of european powers 50 abominated by Mr.
Folk prevent the whole Of that rich country from be-
ing swallowed up by H. 5 sorns race the Yves.
considered absolutely necessary to make the Union com
plete."
Itis true sir that such opinion is entertained by
many enlightened statesmen of the present day, who
think that such acquisitions are necessary to the
United States, for the purpose Of carrying out her
destiny, and securing the peace Of the continent
Her enterprise, with the character of her popula.
ton, and that Of her Institutions would unite in the
extension Of human happiness, by retaining and
improving those wilderness regions to the dominion
of agriculture and the arts.
Again, the writer says:
1T is said that this spirit of aggression is encouraged by
Polk in order to secure his election second time, and
possibly that this may be the chief cause but that only
that aggressive system not the effect Of State policy
the crochet Of particular minister or presidents but the
choice the restless and encroaching multitude So pal
pable is the fact that under present cir
cumstances could maintain itself in security for twelve
month the principles protested by Webster and Cal
houn." '.
From this sir it would appear that, in their opin-
ion, the President is quite excusabe for his present
system Of pocy--not that he is himself to derive
advantage from it, as suggested by the writer
but that he is acting in accordance with "the choice
of the restless and encroaching multitude"
In this country the President is considered as the
representative of "the multitude" He is the organ
of the nation. The measures recommended by him
are supposed 70 derive their character from public
opinion and from the peculiar relations which we
bear to the nations Of the world. If the Executive
rightly apprehends public sentiment, il will be found
that the energies Of this nation, if once combined
and not distracted by opposition, will sustain him
in carrying out his policy to its full contamination
quote further:
Polk carried with the stream; and all that England
has to do to look her own interests and take that
her rights and possessions not destroy ed by the nuda
ton Hitherto she has displayed the utmost moderation
and whether we look to the government the
Legislature or the press
That England will look to her own interests we
should entertain no doubt. She never to re-
card her rights She does not permit them to be de-