Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-02-26


the Delaware and Chesapeake open for the entrance
of any enemy who may seek us have the author
Iy of military and naval of the highest standing
for saying, that an invading army could find ser
Gus obstacle to their entrance into this city, that
alone which would be presented by the patriotic
hearts and strong arms of our hastily summoned
countrymen This, sir is the result of that 'matur-
ed plan" The city of New York, as am informed,
by one of her representatives, lies exposed. Pha-
delphia and Boston comparatively quite defence
less. And yet we not authorized at the present
crisis, to take any steps for the better defence of the
country Sir, ask, indeed be blind to those
signs, full of threatening, which darken the ho-
rizon, and to which alluson has been frequently
that TO describe them were almost idle repetition
The single circumstance that England and France
at this time creating marine force greater than that
existing any anteceden period of their history has
surely some significance. They increasing their
naval force with unexampled CELEBRITY And not only
is she increasing her marine but England is also for
tifying her coast. Who will tell me of an existing
difficulty between England and France Against
whom but the United States does Great Britain
fortify her coast Does she dread French invasion
Who would heed it A French invasion! The
thought is idle. Speaking a different language
cherishing the hostility of centuries-nspred by he
reditary prejudice and hatred-a French army in
England, though headed by Napoleon would be an
initiated in less than twenty days. 1t is from this
Union alone that England can dread an invasion.
Speaking the same language-descended from the
same common stOck-p0ssessing institutions which
approximate closely than those of any other ma
ton earth to hers, and to which large portion of
her people are ready 10 yield their sympathies being
almost in a condition of revot-we present the
only quarter from when England breads invasion.
Her wise and sagacious statesmen-she has had many
such, and still can point to many such-would laugh
TO the idea of successful invasion of her soil
by any European power. But 1t IS said there is
of dificulty-no prospect, dread of a diff
e
difficulty grows out of it, England will assume a
ground which before in her history has been
sumed Perhaps | am indiscreet in my movement.
But comprehend the past history of England have
read and studied it from childhood, and in in
stance has she ever receded from a high position
which she has assumed. This country will recede.
Ohio western Pennsylvania, western New York,
Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky,
TennesSee-will never surrender iot or title
never We hear from home daily and nightly mes
sages of the spirit that Stirs the people. But this
evening the mail brought us intelligence that the
Missouri Convention had unanimously adopted, as
was informed by my friend from Missouri, who usu-
ally sits here, (Mr Atchison,) the resolution fixing
our boundary at 81 deg. 40 min. now and forever.
Indiana is Of the same mind, venture to say, and
so is Ohio-and sol like not 10 speak in lieu of my
friend from Kentucky over the way but such gath
from every account, is the state Of feeling in that
gallant State.
But will England recede so far as even to accept
the proposition of 1897 Her history teaches us that
she will not. | say it would be an anomaly in Eng
lish policy if she would recede. Is there no pros
pect of a difficulty with Mexico! Is there truth or
falsehood in the statements We hear the conempu
Gus reception Of our minister Has he succeeded in
his designs or intentions We know he has not
We know he cannot. We know-every man of us
must know-that is utterly impossible to adjust our
difficulties with Mexico while France and England
maintain their present position towards And if
Mexico strikes blow against US, it will be only be-
cause she knows she is backed them. We are ac-
quainted with the declaration put forth by Guizot
Do we imagine that France and England will permit
the United States to annhilate Mexico They can
not They will not. They would be false TO their
professions-to the position they towards
her if they do. But who shall pretend to say that
England and France are not holding Mexico in her
present position Who is there that can penetrate
their policy, or divide the impenetrabe veil which
shrouds their schemes None, sir, none. There is
feature in English policy to which her bitterest
enemy must yield his greatest admiration. 1t is the
secresy with which her designs ever cloaked, |
whilst she is preparing for their execution-so essen
tial to the celebrity of her movements and the over
force of her blow when these designs are
matured for execution. Sir, ma nain that we should
at once begin to put our country in proper state of
defence Our commerce is on every sea. We hold
with every nation, Our enterprisng fell
low-ctizens in every Cline noby illustrating the
expansive energies of their native country, and, as
believe, pioneers of liberty in all lands. You have
all these to protect. | am not for war. As repre-
sentative of the great old growing West, am not
for war. | am for peace But it must be an honora-
Bile peace am for preserving the integrity of our
soil at every hazard. So far am for war and far
ther 1t has been charged that in the West desire
war for wars sake. repe the infamous insinuaton.
repel the foul charge. We are as much opposed to
war for wars sake as he who dweS on the farthest
point of land that uts out into the Atlantic. But
are undivided in earnest determination to preserve
that which involves honor and as one of the rep
of the western people, when press for
measures that go to the asserting and maintenance of
that honor and our territory, am bound to offer
something substantial / want no war to come such |
rs the last l want repetition if the scenes
witnessed at Hampton and Havre de Grace. want
the coast defended by adequate force and here, |
let me ask, how long this or any administra-
ton would stand that would enter on a war,
and yet neglect to make proper preparation Not
1 month would IL last. Let me say one word
in relation to the 'partyism" of this question.
1t is party question, sir. 1t addresses itself TO ALL
It is mighty American question: rising proudly from
its pedestal, and overshadowng all other questions
1t is one elevated far above the dust and turmoil of
party conflict like the snow-clad peaks of one of our
own mountains-that lifts itself up above the heavy
fogs which overhang the plains beneath and reposes
sereney in the pure and cloudless ether. This ques-
ton addresses itself not to party, but to that
love OF common country Wnlcn exists IN any true
American heart. 60 for the country, and every foot
Of it and | go for putting the country in proper
state Of defence, to prevent the desolatng
sequences of war. l would avoid the possibility that
ever hereafter enemy's foot should press and pol
lutte this carpet that hereafter enemy's hand
should deface these SILENT but ever eloquent monu
nents of that glorious day. that ever hereafter in
vaders hand should give to the flames the buildings
the archives Of the republic. go for pro-
ectng this land, and every foot of this land, from
he footsteps of the invader l go for protecting our
from III nd