The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-01-06

to be thought of for moment. 1t is a
thing which / allude TO only TO denounce
it, and in this denunciation | am sure that
! shall be joined by every true hearted A
merican. Nothing is to be gained by pu-
sillanimity.
He who would be content 10 attain a
present temporary advantage at the ex-
pense of future dishonor and disgrace,
but sows the whirlwind and reaps the
storm. | will, continued Mr.. c., here
repeat maxim which cannot be too deep
! ly impressed upon our minds, viz: that it
| is better to fight for the first inch than for
acres afterwards; better to fight for the
door-sill than the hcarth-stone; to MAIN
| tain our national character unblemished is
of greater consequence than the acquisi-
j ton of wealth or extended possessions; it
/ is this which possesses a moral influence
in the hour Of danger which is beyond all
price. repeat it, upon this question we
cannot recede. Our destiny is onward.
| You might as well attempt to chain the
waves on the Pacific as 10 arrest the pro-
gress Of this nation. There is a tide of
emigration now finding its way-making
/, for itself channel through the barriers
Of the Rocky Mountains, which must in
undate every portion of the vast territory
lying beyond them. A vigorous and
hardy population are spreading themselves
abroad in the region. and they demand
the protection Of this Government. Shall
thev not have il! Shall they not have
the benefit of our laws and institutions
extended TO them!
Only last week memorials were laid
upon your table asking for your protcc-
ton; and do you think that, if their ap-
plication is disregarned, they will long
continue to seek your favor or conciliate
your regard! No sir, the possessions
they have acquired they viii hold by the
bayonet. They will not tamely sit still and
await your tardy movements. The great
principles of mutual protection and allie
glance, if not adhered to by you in favor
of that adventurous people, portion of
your own citizens, you dishearten them.
and they become prey 10. foreign diple-
matic chicanery. What is it inspires the
hearts of those who have found home
in that distant region, if not the prospect
of enjoying the blessings of civil and re-
Iigious liberty under the fostering care Of
this Government? 1t is impossible that
this state Of things should continue; for it
seems to me utterly impossible that
community having the same interests and
occupying the same territory can hold a
divided allegiance, and be governed by
two distinct and seperate sovereignties.-
Are their claims upon this government to
be disregarded by us altogether? Have
they no rights 10 be enforced, and wrongs
| to be redressed! How is either the one
or the other to be done amid conflicting
authorities constituted within the same Ii
mits Possessory titles to lands might
be held to be good in favor of the party
last getting possession. How can justice
be obtaiued by going into court compos-
ed Of every party from whom redress or
restriction is sought! England herself is
invunerable; the arrows of justice cannot
even reach her heel. Touch but her
rights in the minutest particular and her
national sympathics and prejudices are a.
reused, and she is prepMed to resist to
the utmost. Shall we be less tenacious
of our rights We are warned by the in
| firmities of human nature to trust our
cause to none but ourselves. If then we
cannot, with due regard to national hon
or, retrace our steps, and as England has
placed herself in our path, what course
| is before us! have no hesitation in say
!, ing, if England adheres TO her last propo-
sition, and refuses to relinqulsh 1t, 1t Is tam
tamount to a declaration of war. hope,
nay, / say rather, I wish that England
would awaken to sense of her injustice,
and yield where she can yield honorably.
But will she do so? 1t is safest to believe
she will not; and this dictate of caution is
fortified by the whole tenor of her con-
duct. When did she ever relinquish
hold that she had once gained! The
course taken by the two great leaders of
her Administration may be regarded as
pretty sure index Of what may be expec-
ted for her policy.
| Mr.. Cass here quoted from the Lon
don Morning Chronicle portion of de-
bate which occurred in the House of
Commons, April 5, ls45, in relation to
the proposed annexation of Texas to the
United States.
Here (said Mr.. c. is the leader of the
great Whig party in the British House of
/ Commons denouncing the annexatinn of
Texas to this country because it tends to
territorial aggrandizement; and all this
cant about British moderation and philan-
throphy is believed in by the credulous
and the infatuated; but let them not sup
pose it is believed by us. The timely
and wholesome rebuke administered to
Mexico might, with equal propriety, be
administered to England. The modera-
ton of England! Such colossal pow