The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-27
CONG RE SION AL.
SPEECH OF MR.. CHAPMAN,


IN The HOUSE Of Representatives, April IL, ls46-on
the bill to protect the rights Of American setl era
in Oregon.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole on
the state Of the Union, the bill TO protect the
rights Of American settlers in Oregon
Mr.. CHAPMAN addressed the committee as fol-
lows
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: rise this morning under some
smbarrass ment to address the committee on this
subject when the present state OF feeling among
members on this floor, in consequence OF recent
events which have taken place in the other end OF
the Capitol, upon another, though no more I'M
portant branch OF the same subject Is quite untaVor
able to a patient hearing. The passage OF the no.
lice in tho Senate, since our last adjournment,
though not in the form sent 1t from this House,
has somewhat changed the question now before u.s.
should not attempt to address the committee at
ALL If il were not for the peculiar position md my
self in, owing to the course | felt II my duty to
pursue heretofore on this subject. | was one Of
only three Of the party to which belong, who yot-
ed at the last session Of Congress against bill sim
liar, in some respects, though worse In many re-
spects than the present bill il has been reported
from the Committee on Territories. | might plead
in justification of the course pursued that occa-
sion my reelection SINCE from the district | have
the honor TO- represent but It would be improper for
me 10 Justify myself that ground, inasmuch as the
question that has since occupied 30 much Of the
public mind not agitated at all during that can
yass | claim, therefore, no sanction from my con-
situents, by my subsequent reelection, for the
course felt il my duty to pursue on this subject
prior that election. place my election upon other
grounds-upon the ground Of generous confidence
by their approval Of my course as their representa-
tive for many years.
consider, Mr.. Chairman, that this is a question
Of immense magnitude; one that involves either
Immediately or remotely the question OF peace or
war between two of the most powerful nations on
the face Of the globe-two nations, whose combined
trade and commerce throughout the world perhaps
exceeds that Of all the other powers combined All
questions, therefore, involving the relations between
such nations ought to be well considered. Hasty
and inemperate action, well as angry and incau-
tous expressions by speakers and the press, ought
10 be avoided.
foresaw at the commencement of this session Of
Congress that there likely to be great lndscre
lion in the declarations Of opinions upon this all i'm
porant suOiect and when the message Of the Presi-
dent was read, it will be remembered that, in order
to afford all an opportunity to weigh well and consider
what was proper TO say and do, before they had
hastily committed themselves upon this question,
took the earliest occasion to call the previous ques-
ton on printing the message To those who have
observed the character Of most Of the speeches since,
the necessity for that precauon will be sufficiently
manifest
have regretted, Mr.. Chairman, deeply regretted,
the attempt made, in the discussion on the notice
resolutions make this Oregon question sectional
one, and to give it party character. am sure, SIR,
that If there is any question that can be agitated in
Congress that ought TO be Invested Of all party or
sectional character il il this. do think that gen
,lemen who claim it as party or sectional question,
forfeit much of their character for that patriotism,
the want Of which they charge upon others. II
we cannot be united upon questions concerning
our foreign relations, upon what question shall we
bei
1t has also been charged here, and perhaps in
the other end Of the Capitol, that there was an
obligation upon the southern portion of the demo-
cratic party to vote for all in relation to
Oregon, without examining further, because those
composing the same party from other sections.
particularly from the West, had presented an I'M
divided front, or very nearly So upon another
question, which they pleased to call southern
questionable annexation Of Texas. They say
there was an agreement Of that sort-implied, at
least-the substance of which they contend was
stipulated In the resolutions of the Baltimore
ton in favor Of the reanneration Of Ieras and the re-
occupation Of Oregon--tipin sisters in The democratic
creed. Mr.. Chairman, for one individual, did
not admit any such obligation; ! deny any such
agreement Not having the fear of the Baltimore
convention before my eyes, but having fear-a
well-grounded-of the evils contained in the bill on
this subject at the last session congress- and the
mischief that would certainly have followed its
passage, took upon myself the responsibility of
voting against it, and in so lean minority. Sub
sequent reflection and examination have convinced
me that did right. In this opinion ! am fully
sustained by the President in his message; for, in
stead of recommending such bill as that was, he
very plainly admonishes you that it contained pro-
visions inconsistent with the obligations of the treaty
of 1927.
l say it has been charged that there was an obi
CATION incurred, by the course of western gentlemen
in relation to Texas, that southern members mus
Ego it blind for Oregon" Why, do not gentlemen
ifany obligation Of that sort was incurred, 1t was
not such obligation as, according to the laws
regulating good morals, and the course Of free and
unbiased representation, could be enforced--and
that while they convict others Of bad faith for follow
ing the dictates Of their own judgment and sense
Of duty, they convict themselves of worse motives'
Because if they make out case of bad faith
against southern gentlemen for not voting for
Oregon in consideration of their having voted
for Texas, they say at once that they voted
Tor Texas, not for any merits IN the question,
but because Of the bargain. We heard nothing
OF this charge last year, when the bargain,
if any such ever was made, was more easily estab-
ltshed than now. Perhaps it was not necessary
to urge it then, there were only three democrats
who at that time opposed the Oregon bill. But the
annexation of Texas not urged as southern
or as party by its friends; it was pressed
as national measure, the success Of which was to
advance the interests and prosperity Of every por-
ton Of the Union. In its final accomplishment, no
treaty stipulatons were violated; no injustice done
to any third power. The subject was one that con-
cerned alone the United States and Texas. The
people of both countries desired the annexation,
and it was possed-passed, too, under resolutions
drawn up by whig; and no one objected on that
account So it was not made party measure, after
all. The interest and prosperity Of the Unon-the
whole Union, including Texas-have been advanced
by the annexation; and il any part Of the Union
has been more benefited by the measure than anoth.
err 1t is the western States; because new and ex'
tensve market has been opened to them for the vas
productions Of their fertile country.
trust, then, we shall hear no more charges on
account Of Texas obligations from western gentle
men.
i have said that this is question Of much mo.
ment-the great measure Of this administration, and
the most important now before the public The
history Of il is quite peculiar. Until within a few
years past, it had been but little agitated among the
people, although it has for nearly half a century
been subject most embarrassing with our Execu.
tive, and our negotiators at London. Because o
the difficulties Of the conflicting claims OF the United
States and Great Britain which could not be AMIGA