The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-30
CONG SSIONAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. MCDOWELL,
OF OHIO

In The House Of Representatives January 5, lo4o-On
the Joint resolution providing for giving the notice
TO terminate The convention between Great Brit
DIN and the United States relative to Oregon.
The question being on reference 10 the Committee
ofthe Whole Of the resolution reported by Mr. c..
]. heERsoLL, from the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations, requesting the President Of the United
States TO give notice TO Great Britain Of the ter
mination Of the joint occupancy Of the Oregon
Mr.. MCDOWELL said: .
Mr.. SrEAkEE Ii is with extreme embarrassment
that rise 10 address this Distinguished and intelli-
geut body at any time, and more especially so now
from the fact Of the great importance of the subject
under consideration, and the practical results that
must Aow from the decision made upon il by this
Congress on the veal or wo Of this great republic.
Il is scarcely necessary for me TO announce its i'm
pOrtanee; the fact is atesed by the deep interest
manifested by every member on this floor and by
the multitude of our fellow-clizens that look upon
va from the galleries Of this splendid hall Nor ia the
deep interest taken In this great subject confined 10
US, or to those who are anxiously watching our
course herei the whole public mind Of this mighty
nation is deeply agtated from its centre 10 It's cir
conference; and twenty millions of American citi-
this day looking with intense anxiety TO
the action that this House may take upon this ques
lion 10 secure the rights and honor Of the nation.
Sir as one of the humble Representatives of that
portion Of this Union denominated the great val
ley Of the Mississippi, that lies between the Al
leghany and Rocky mountains, and between the
great Atlantic and Pacific slopes, | feel the re-
sponsibility Of my position, and WILL if life is
unued 10 me, when the vote Is taken on the meas
urcs now before the House, and designed for the
full occupation OF Oregon, cast my vote for the
whole Of them, let the consequences be war or not
Sir, during the last session of Congress, and pend
ing the discussion of the joint resolutions Of the
House for the annexation of Texas, IL had been
truly remarked that the Baltimore convention
that nominated Mr.. Polk, had made the question
Of annexation issue to be submitted to the people
Of the United States in the presidential election Of
1874, and that the people had, in the election Of
Mr. Polk, responded tri1mphantly to that issue,
and demanded of Congress to execute their decree.
To the truth Of this position gave my hearty
assent, and, with large majority Of the western
and northern members here then, stood shoulder to
shoulder with our southern friends breasted the
storm Of opposition that met us at every step,
cung manfully to the one-starred banner, passed
the Joint resolutions, and thus carried uumphantly
that banner into the Union there to mngle its rays
with the consultations that played within her orbit.
Sir, but few days ago this Congress had gloriousy
consummated what the last had begun; annexation
is now competc and the new planet is fully launch
ed into our system, and il will shortly begin to re-
vove in the orbit have assigned to it. Sir, it is
an act of which the last and present Congress
should be Justly proud. II great in its concep-
ton, great in its contamination, and will be greater
in its consequences upon the whole interests Of this
country. 1t is, perhaps, one of the most important
moves that this government has ever made upon
the political chessboard of nations it has complete
ly check-mated England, whose diplomacy had been
most skilfully exerted upon Mexico and few in
Texas, to enable that government to make subsda-
ry to her interests the productive powers Of the soil
Of Texas, in furnishing her with the great staple
cotton--to the successful growth Of which it's eli
mate and its soil are 30 congenial. The course
pursued by us on this question has given the death
blow to the hopes of Great Britain, that promised
her supply of cotton from Texas under mutual
trade regulations, that would have released her from
her calling dependence upon the United States.
SIR the contamination Of that great measure has put
into our possession the best cotton country on
earth, and gave us power over British spndles
and British industry that is potent in restrain
ing her rapacity than would be fifty war vessels on
our coasts, army stationed at Notifications
Of one hundred thousand men.
But great as this question WAS, and the happy
results that promised to flow from it to the inter-
ests Of this nation, if adopted and carried out yet
1t was not the only measure or issue made and
submitted by that ever-memorable convention for
the decision of the American people. No, sir; it
was one only of series of issues submitted and
decided at that election. The great question now
under discussion was made, submitted, and deci-
ded; and it is scarcely second in importance to that
OF which l have been speaking. Another of the
series, too, was the modification of the tariff, and
though last, not least 10 the principles involved and
their ultimate effect upon the liberties and interests
of this nation Sir, those issues having all been
decided by the people, as we desired them to be,
they must all be consummated by action, or the
glory Of the victory Of l844, and the splendor of
the achievement Of annexation, will sink under
cloud Of public indignation that will burst in fearful
grandeur upon our devoted heads. Sir, ] am glad
TO see around me so many of that noble band with
whom was proud to act at the last sesson--the
Ttras inpincibies. Will there bo one of that band
who will falter in his effort consummate the pub
lie decree on this subject Is there one who is TO
be alarmed, and prevented from responding to the
call Of public opinion on this great Oregon qucs-
ton, by the croakings OF enemies or the proph-
ecies Of aboltionistsi Will the opinions so unfor-
tunately and inconsiderately expressed by my col.
league Mr.. GIpDINGs this morning, as to the re-
suits Of war upon the South, (Which in one breath
he affirmed and in the next denied deter any dem.
ocrat who represents the South here from aiding us
of the West and North in carrying out this import
ant measured Shall his wish, If entertained, and
the wish of some who may act with hinl---that
war. may grow out Of the course proposed by the
measures now under discussion, and that its DESC
lations may fall upon the South to facilitate result
that he and his friends desire-be seized upon as
the moving object IN urging now the settlement of
this question by its friends' God forbid. Sir,
wish TO say to any that may be operated upon by
such reasoning, that they mistake the friends of this
measure, and the motives that actuate them Sir.
II war shall result from our course, shall regret
nas much as any one; but ! cannot shrink from
my duty in prosecuting measures designed to secure
the interest and honor Of my country il war should
come. And permit me to say to southern gentle-
men here, that IL that war, predicted by my col
league, Mr.. GDpMcs,l shall come, and the British
flag shall be unfurled on the sunny fields of the
South, and guarded by the black regiments of which
ne speaks, that arc TO be imported there from the
West India islands, its triumph will be short, and
gloomy as the regiments over which it was un-
furled. Sir, thousands and tens of thousands of
the noble sons OF the North and West would soon
transport themselves to your sunny shores, and
cause that flag to strike in inglorious defeat.
But, MIR. Speaker, ! entertain no fears that the
South, upon this occasion, will be found less chy
Grous and steadfast to the interests and glory of
This republic than on occasions gone by; but. on
The contrary, that her name will be mingled in
al that can contribute to the consummation of
either. "
Mr.. Speaker, have departed somewhat from the
course had intended TO pursue in the remarks de-
ured to make on this occasion, and must hasten to
o'her points involved in the measures presented for
our action; and, sir | will say, in the first place,
mS ! do not think that the question Of our title
,%orsgon Is one now TO be made or discussed, OF