The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-17


controversy TO fair, lust. and bopor,hIe
termination. And, if they can do 80 with The
notice, they can certainly DO so without !,
Besides, by giving the notice with the de-
sign and for the purpose we have expressed
we al least run the hazard of provoking a
feeling Of irritation and ohsfinacy rather Than
Il spirit of good will and cancellation. so es-
sential to peaceful and amicabe settlement
Of any controversy.
But, Mr.. Chairman, ifupon rheother hand
rash and inconsiderate counseIs prevail on
either side, the result must inevitably prove
most unfortunate and disasterous 10 both
In the present already excited state of(eeIinp
upon this subject, both in this country and in
England, If would require but little of the
language otirriiarion, of menace, of defiance
on the one side or the other, TO arrest all eff
iorls at negotiation, 10 blast all hopes of COM
promise. and 10 involve The two Governments
IN disastrous war. 1t is not 10 be presum-
ed that either Government will tolerate in
the other the claim and exercise of exclusive
possession and control of il. Believing that
much will be gained by the exhibition of a
spirit OF concilIation andharmony while much
will be lost. and every thing hazarded, by the
exhibition of an offensive gasconading tone,
| ask, IN all earnestness, whether we shall
not oest consult the interests, the honor and
happiness of the country. by ahstaininr
from all acts, and from all language of irrita-
ton and provocation.
Twill, most cheeriuliy, give:my support TO
any provisions which may be necessary TO-.
the protection oiOur citizens in Oregon, and
those emigranting there These are peace
lul and proper measures, and can furnish no
Just cause Of complaint But let lis once as
assume an attitude Of hostility towards Eng
land; letus direct that the notice be riyen
forthwith, and without qualification; let us
accompany the notice with an assertion OF
our claim 10 the whole of OREGON. and the
assurance OF our purpose 10 take exclusive
possession oft; and let us follow il IN with
the declaration that the resolution intro
duced in the outset ofthis debate by the hon
orable gentleman from Illinois. mir. DOUG
lass. let this be DONE land it is nj! ,ropnsed
10 be done,) and will venture NV poor o.
plnion in opposition 10 any assurance or
pledge 10 the country, let il come from how
ever hgh authoritative source il NAV. that
war Is the certain, and inevitable. might saw.
almost The necessary consequence. The
notice being given. il the question 10 settled
within one year, we can do no less Than PRO-
coed 10 take exclusive occupation of the
whole territory, or else receed from the no
siion We had taken, with disgrace and igno-
miny. No one, Ipresumc, conlempIates the
latter alternative We shall proceed then. TO
take possession and control and 10 exercise
our own exclusive sovereignty over the whole
OF the Oregon territory. Do gentlemen
really imagine that Great Brit Tin will peace =
ably and quietly yield TO our authority; sur
render all claim from. n territory which she
has actually occupied for more than than fny
years and all this without n struggle or an
effort! Gentlemen in This debate have dwell
much and loudly upon the repacity of Eng
land Tor dominion and empire, and upon tc-
nacIty with which she fixes her grasp where
ever she can get hold Of a foot OF territory
And we Halter ourselves that this rapacious
and domneerlng,and mighty nation " i'll now
'or me nrst time IN her history, quietly and
peacably yield TO tie demands Of another na-
lion vast and valuable territory 10
which she claims title? Sir the supposi-
ton is too preposierous TO be entertain. ed
win SERIOUSNESS a single moment. We may
date war with that power from tic day on
winch we shall do the first overt act and
'ake inc FIRST step avowedly for the purpose
OF taking entlre and exclusive possession OF
chat territory. There is TO escape, then
from tins alternative, in case We give the
noIice' except by a settlement Of the question
within The year. And, es | have alreadv
said, the chances Of a seIfIeren, IN nv, ;,,dc5
ment, are greatly Iessercd bv oiv;nG tbo
notice in The form and manner proDoer1
If, then, Mr. Chairman. the Orero, oucs-
lion is be settled by conflict of arms. I Leo
oi 'hese gentlemen, who would hurry us up-
on this fearful issue, and who seem almost
impatient OF the delay, 10 pause and vait lin
we are somewhat better pre-; AIRED fori,. Let
us frst reinforce our army and navy let
US establish some suitable and adequate de.
fences along the three or four thousand miles
Of exposed sea-coast, and alone the other
thousands OF miles ofour unprotected north
ern and western frontier. While Won are 50
prompt and liberal in approrriating the rub-
NC money Tor the erection of Blockhouses
and stockaGes, and military posts. thronrh
Inc trackicss wllds and deserts hither and he
yohd me rocky mountains, and 10 send vour
companies oil mounted rilemen there for the
protection oil comparatively small hand
iul oil emIgrants 10 Oregon, measures which
approve, and for which shall vote. } will
you mol make some adequate provision for
me protection OF the property and The lives
oil twenty millions Of your fellow citizens at
home! Sir. the mania for the ACQUISITION and
possession ofloreign and distant lands seems
almost 10 lead US 10 forget that we have a
country and people around us to care for.
Mr.. Chairman, when and wherefore all This
sudden excitement upon the subject o. Ore
gon! Who are they that have become SO
ciamorors all at once for The whole of Ore
gon, and who would declare general war
ct expulsion from the American continent Of
every nation who may chance to have foot
hold upon any part of itl Who are thew
that aagIfaie public mind. and appeal to the
popular passions and prejudices; vino de-
nounce rs treason against orr own Govern
ment all suggestions Of negotiation and com.
promise, and who would prefer the fearful |
alternative Of war 10 any treaty arrangement
who are they that are ever fulminatine their
anathemas against Great Britain, as though |
they alone were jealous Of her power and her
d. gns! Who are they thai are ever mouth
ing their oit-repeated professions of sublima- |
ted patriotism, as though it were ANYTHING
more than The frorhy defamation Of full |
grown demagoguism, which evaporates with |
the breath that utters iil Who are they Thar
arrogate to themselves the privilege of de-