Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-04-04

might almost say, from he past The
venerable gentleman from Massachusetts
Mr.. ADAMs has spoken Out; and !, for
one, rejolced TO see that, although his
locks are oIeached with the lrosts Of
more than seventy winters, yet the fires
of patriotism still burn brightly on their
ancient altar.
Mr.. Chairman, was one or those who
were IN favor Of posiponing The discussion
OF this great question, as prope I'D by the
honorable chairman Of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, (Mr, C. J. lNGERsoLL
wished 10 see what would be the effect in
England Of the present aspect of the
question, as it is presented in the late cor
respondence, which has brought from the
archives OF diplomacy into the full light
OF day, The iulness and cIearness Of our
ulIe-a correspondence which will add to
the heretofore widespread fame Of the
Secretary Of States fame whose laureIs
.tme-whlch corrodes and destroys so
much of human achievement-wiII, year
after year, only freshen and renew AZ
ter that correspondence, if we must 20
into this contest, we shall feel the full
force OF the sentiment:
Thrice is he arm'd who hath his quarrel lust"
II tins contest is TO come--for we are
not permitted to lift the veil of futurity,
and see what is in reserve for us--hu-
manity will weep. The angel Of peace
will unIurl his fairy wing, and take his
eagle flight to the sky. 1t will be con-
testthat will not only sweep from the
ocean vast portion Of commerce, but
will reiard the great benevolent ope ra-
tons of Inc day, and, as believe, arrest
the march Of civilization tor more than
half century. 1t was for considerations
such as these, that was anxious to pause,
that we might see whether our opponents
would plant themselves directly in the
face of the Presidents Message, Of our
little, and Of the correspondence.
But the House has decided otherwise.
We are here discussing this great ques-
tlon, and in lew days we must vote upon
it. | shall now, therefore, briefly and
plainly I've to the committee the reasons
which have operated on my mind, and
which will induce me to vote for the res.
oIutlon which the chairman of the Com.
rnlttee on Foreign Affairs submitted.
Much has been said about the conse-
quences OF conflict between Great Brit
ain and this country. If it comes--and
|, Tor one, covet not for my country "the
pIumed troop, the big wars, the shrilI
trump, the spirit-stirring drum, the ear
piercing fife, and all the pride, pomp, and
circumstance Of glorious war"--but if it
comes, it will do one thing for US that
has not yet been mentioned: it will free
US forever from the looms Of Manchester
aud the workshops Of Birmingham. 1t
will emanclpate US forever from the man
ulactures Of Great Britain. She will lose
one OF her best customers; and that be-
IleVe to have been one of the great pre-
ValIng considerations which have hilher-
TO held her in peaceful relations with US.
Mr.. Chairman, after the most careful
consideration which have been able to
give TO this question, | conscentiousy be-
leve that, if war is 10 come, it will come
whe Their you give this notice or not. /
believe that we have reached point in
the history Of the Oregon territory
which will no longer adml; of this joint
occupation. should like to know from
British statesmen how long this chry sails
state OF cviliZation--th inchoate sys-
lem oil government--s, in this state Of
things, TO last 1t was very we'll in 1878
it was we'll in 1827--when this great
country was used only as a place to receive.
from the Indian tribes the Inrs they col
lecled, and as a place at which our whale
men and our ships might water. 1t was
very we'll while Great Britain and our
selves merely used the territory for the
purposes of commerce, without reference
to actual settlement.
But, sir, 10 pursuance, suppose, OF that
destiny TO which my eloquent friend from
Indiana referred the other day whose on
ward progress we cannot resist, our peo-
pie rapidly have passed to Oregon, not for
the purposes Of commerce, not to Obtain
the furs of that vast country, butto settle,
to build houses, and 10 till the soil. lnI
this stateof things, look for a moment at
the condition Of Oregon. Our citizens are
now there without government, and
without protection from the country
They are entitled 10 both. Refuse to pass
a bill to provide that government and to
give that protection, and what condition
are you in? Why, if a British subject
assaults and beats an American citizen, by
whom, under the present system (Which
some gentlemen wish 10 contnue,) Is ne
to be triod2 By your American Judiciary!
No; but by British court. If there is no
British court near, then he is sent to some
distant establishment of the Hudson bay
Company. Can any man believe lha:,
looking to this conac: Of lurisdIc'lon' ~