The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-21
ssIoN AL.
SPEECH OF Mr.. BEDINGER,
OF VIRGINIA,

eupaney Of the Oregon Iernlory
The House being il Committee OF the Whole on
the state ofihe Union, Mr.. BEDlNGER addressed
The committee az follows;
Mar. CuAisnAs The magnitude and great import,
ance Of the question a. present under dscu>son' me
iniease interest manifested by the whole country
in its progress and lis decision. and the very able
manner 10 which il has been treated by those who
have already participated in its discussion, cause
me To approach Ii with the greatest hesitaney.
But itis due To those whom have the honor TO
represent as we'll a. 10 myself that, before record
ing my vote upon question OF such magnitude
and grave importance, should render reason for
the vote shall give and for the course Of conduct
shall deem il my duty to pursue. ] therefore re-
specially solicit the attention Of the committee
whilst In as brief manner as possibly can, pro-
coed TO state the causes which have Influenced me,
and led my mind to that conclusion at which II has
arrived.
q confess. sir, that this question has been to me
one Of exceeding perpexiiy, doubt, and difficulty;
and, although ! have succeeded in convincing my
own mind as TO the course which II In proper that
this House and this country should pursue 10 re-
gard TO it-although have found reasons amply
far from believing or hoping that | shall
have the ability or good fortune to convince
otheu-in this hall al, least-that my Judgment
has not led me into false positions and untenao'e
ground That this question should appear, TO one
or nv small experience, difficult and perpexlng,
should not excite the wonder Of any person. For
older. and wiser and more experienced heads than
mine have been much puzzled by its consideration,
and many an anxious hour of painful hesitation has
il occasioned those who have most carefully exam
iped H. and are most familiar with II.
We have, on the one hand, the mastery view OF
the subject taken by the Executive in that admira-
Bile stale paper his annual message, and doubtless
the weight Of his opinion and recommendation il,
as indeed il should be, very sensbly felt both here
and elsewhere The opinion OF the Executive ~
nd fhene hv he
vincible reasoning Of the Secretary OF Sme who,
the triumph which he has achieved over the Brush
deplonatist has convinced rational and
impartial world at leas,hat the claims OF his coun-
try are founded in truth and justice, and cannot be
oyerthrown by sophis,ry or fraud. This opinion is
supported moreover, by many Nbie heads and pari-
otto hearts, both here and else thereby noble and
gallant spirits who seem alreadyio be painting for
an opportunity to hurl the gauntlet TO our naughty
ooponen, and rival, and challenge her nj once TO
mortal combat; and confess, ar, that when reflect
upon the overbearing and domineerng spirit OF
Great Britain, feel as much disposed as any one
else possibly can, to raise my voice, and, need be,
my arm also, in opposiiion to her NO mans heart
CLOVIS with fereer indignation than mine, when the
wrongs and aggressions Of that relentless power are
arysyed before me- Neverthesess, sir, ] must be
allowed to express the fear that II has been with
others ss TWAS at first, with mysel-they have suf-
fered their patriotism to obscure their Judgments
and their indignation against Great Britain 70 hurry
not the most wise. For myself, sir, having the
character at home land l fear elsewhere also,) of
being rather hotheaded, have felt little afraid of
surrendering myself wholly to the impulses OF my
nature in this natter and, exertng myself TO the ut
most TO subdue my belligerent spirit, have sue
creded in arriving at the conclusion, that although
Great Britain richly deserves from us thorough
drubbng, yet she can afford 10 wait for i while
(it will come in time, sir-it will come in tme,) and
we can afford 10 postpone the infection Of it at least
IT. a nd fort 9TH
do not think it polite wise, at this moment to
throw down the gauntlet to her by. suddenly dis
solving the present existing state of affairs between
her and ourselves in our disputed territory
Let us look at this question for one moment, If
we can possibly do so, calmly and disPassionatey
know that gentlemen generally use these words
bv way of preface to the fercest outburss and most
/ innpassioned appeals. But would respectfully beg
gentlemen to calm themselves and look carefully at
this question First, then, will cheerfully admit
that the man who now doubts that our title to the
,rhois of Oregon in, as against Great Britain clear
and unuuesiionablen must be cursed by nature
with remarkable stupidity, he must be blinded
Nv ignorance and prejudice. If any such person
there be | refer him TO the correspondence between
the Secretary Of State and the British minister If
that does not convince him, ! give him up in de-
speir II would be presumption in me to attempt to
satisfy such judgment. And this is all, sir that
intend to say upon this part of the subject Oregon
is oars-eyery acre, every poor rood of it-,and we
equally as clear and unquesionabe as the one
inst admtted-"an automatic fact" in the words of
the gentleman from Georgia. Mr.. CoBB, and one
an little to be questioned al the formerand shat is,
that this great territory s of such immense value
and importance to this Union, that we would de-
serve TO be regarded az IDIOTS by the civilized world
II we should suffer any portion of Il to be wreated
from us by any power upon earth. NO gentle;
man can possibly desire these facts TO be more
broadly and clearly admitted than am wiling
To admit them And sill, IL il for these very reasons
Ion account Of these very facts, thus admitted
because Oregon is ours--beconse we should not sur
render one pound of Oregon earth, one rock, one
pebEle, one ree, or one shrub--ihat J cannot, for
the lifr Of me-, perceive the wisdom OF terminating,
thus abruptly and hastily, the convention between
ts country and Great Britain ~ regard 20 maj Ter
r,ory. And " had any. weight or influence mere
or elsewhere--ifl did not know That the poor words
which shall escape my lips VIII fall cold and deed
ON the unbesding ears OF those around me, 70 %
Forgotten even before the echoes OF my voice snail
hora ID n 4 DISCOURAGED