Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-04-09

ance, on he one SIDE or me Other, 10 arrest all ell
forts at negotiation, to blast all hopes Of comprom-
se and to involve the two Governments in dis
astrous War. 1t is not to be presumed that either
Government will tolerate in the other the claim and
exercise OF exclusive jurisdiction the whole Of
the Oregon territory, or any act looking TO the ex
elusive possession aud control of it, Believing that
much will be gained by the exhibition Of spirit Of
Cancellation and harmony while much will be lost,
and every thing hazarded, by The exhibition of an
offensive gasconading tone, ask, in all earnesness,
whether shall not best consult the interests, the
honor and the happiness Of the country, by alb.
staining from all acts and from all language of If.
ritation and provocation.
! will most cheerully, give my support to any
protection Of our citizens in Oregon, and those
emigrating there. These peaceful and proper
measures. and can furnish no Just cause Of CON-
plant But let US once assume attitude of hos
tility towards England; let direct that the notice
be given forthwith, and without qualification; let
us accompany the notice with assertion Of our
purpose to take exclusive possession that the sub
ject is no longer open to negotiation and COM
promise as who set forth in the resolution introduce
ed in the outset Of this debate by the honorable
gentleman from Illinois, (Mr Douglass let this be
done, land il is all proposed 10 be done,) and will
venture my poor opinion in opposition to any assur-
ance or pledge 10 the contrary, let it come from
however high and authoritative source il may, that
is the certain, the inevitable, ] might say, al
most the necessary consequence. The notice be-
ing gwen If the question be not settled within
year. we can do no less than proceed to take ex-
elusive occupations Of the whole territory or else
recede from the position we had taken, with dis
grace and ignominy No one presume, contem-
plates the latter alternative We shall proceed then
to take possession and CONTROL and to exercise
own exclusive sovereignty over the whole Of the
Oregon territory. Do gentlemen really imagine
that Great Britain will peaceably and quietly yield
10 authority surrender all claim Of title which
she has hitherto asserted and insisted upon, and
withdraw from a territory which she has actually
occupied for more than fifty years and all this
without a struggle effort Gentlemen in this
debate have dwet much and loudly upon the rapa-
city Of England for dominion and empire, and up
on the tenacity with which she fixed her grasp
where ever she can get hold OF foot of territory
And shall Aatter ourselves that this rapacious,
and domineering, and mighty nation will now. for
the FIRST time in her history, quietly and peaceably
yield to the demands Of another nation vast and
valuable territory to which she claims title Sir,
the supposton is too preposterous TO be entertain
ed with seriousness single moment We may
date war with that power from the day on which
shall do the first overt act and take the first step
avowedy for the purpose Of taking entire and ex-
elusive possession OF that territory There is no
escape. then, from this alternative in case we give
the notice, except by settlement of the question
within the year And, as have already said, the
chances of settlement, in my judgment, are great
iy lessened by giving the notice in the form and
manner proposed.
II, then, Mr. Chairman, this Oregon question is
TO be settled by conflict Of arms, beg of these
gentlemen, who would hurry US upon this fearful
issue, and who seem almost impatient Of the delay
TO pause and wait till we are somewhat better pre-
for Il g.. e.. -
navy. Let US establish some suitable and adequate
defences along three four thousand miles of our
exposed sea-coast, and along the other thousands Of
miles oil our unprotected northern and western from
tier. While you are so prompt and liberal in APP
propriaiing the public money for the erection Of
blockhouses, and stock AIDES, and military posts,
through the trackless wilds and deserts hther and
beyond the rocky mountains and to send your
companies of mounted rnemen there for the pro
lection Of comparatively small handful of emf
grants TO Oregon, measures which approve, and
for which shall VOTE will you not make some ade-
quate provision for the protection Of the property
and the lives Of twenty millions of your fellow CHI.
zens at home Sir, the mania for the acquisition
and possession OF foreign and distant lands seems
almost TO lead US TO forget that we have country
and people around us to care for.
Mr.. Chairman, when and wherefore all this sud-
den excitement upon the subject Of Oregon p
Who are they that have become so clamorous all at
once for the whole of Oregon, and who would de-
clare general war Of expulsion from the Ameri-
can continent of every nation who may chance to
have ioothod upon any part oft? who are they
that agtate the public minds and appeal TO the
popular passions aud preudices who denounce as
treason against our own Government all suggestions
of negotiation and compromise and who would
prefer the fearful alternative of war TO any treaty
arrangement Who are they that ever lulmi-
mating their anathamas against Great Britain, as
though they alone were jealous OF her power and
her designs Who are they that are ever mouth
ing their oitrepeaed professions of sublimated pa
triotsm, as though it were any thing more than
the holhy defamation Of full grown demagogeism,
which eyaporates with the breath that utters it q
Who are they that arrogate to themselves the prvi-
lege of denouncng the conduct and impughnng
the motives OF the advocates Of negotiation and
compromise, and who denounce enemies oftheir
own country, and the allies of foreign power
those who would avoid the issues Of war, and who
would maintain peace which now besses our land
and the world by all means and measures consist
ent with the integrity and the honor of the country
Whence comes, | ask, all this sudden storm of pa
trlotic fury, OF Wanting arrogance Of vndctye de.
nunclaiion, OF empty and senseless gasconade p
Not undertake 10 say, from the Industrious sober,
and rejecting portion Of the American people, nor
yet, indeed from the best friends and trues patriots
OF the country. DWest this subject of all extrane-
Gus and improper influences, remove from il the in
stigation and influences Of selfish and designing
men, of corrupt and hireling press remove the
lnsgations and influences of jobbers in stocks and
lobbers in politics. remove the instgations and in
huences Of aspiring demagogues, of cuckoo patriots
and Tom Thumb heroes ofPresident makers and
of embryo Presidential candidates Of those who
would raise the whirlwind that they might ride on
tha aft al. H.. g.. H. rst Nk.l