Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-03-14
NUMBER 2.

tentiOn 10 our TFlallOnS WIN Nredl DTltalh
It is said, and has been frequently repea-
ted upon this floor, and must confess that
| have heard it with pain, that we are on
the brink Of war with Great Britain. Is
this true? lput it to the good sense OF
senator's, and | ask them to answer the
question. Has anything occurred on the
part of Great Britain-any thing in the
complexion Of the recent news from that
notwithstanding a warlike feeling to-
wards The United States? Is it not direct
Y the reverse?
If senators will regard the question
with calmness and dispassion, throwing
aside those heated feelings and impusvo
determinations which temporary ex'
element may have aroused in the mind,
feel perfectly satisfied that they will
find the path to honorable and peaceful
settlement of the Oregon question yet un-
obslructed by Great Britain. The late
news from Enga and is of pacific nature.
Failure on the part of Lord John Russell
TO form cabinet arose from the fact that
he was about to place Lord Palmerston at
the head Of the department Of foreign al.
fairs. Palmerslon, it we'll known, en-
tertained hostile feelings towards this
country, and stood fully committed on the
Oregon question. On that very ground,
! Lord Grey refused to 60 into the cabinet.
! We'll, does all this prove nothlngF Are
gentlemen so blind, so eager and thirsty
a fter war. that they can shut their eyes to
events so significant as these | must
confess that | was rejoiced when | heard
the Intelligence 10 which have alluded
when saw that the wing ministry, as it
| is called, fail to form a cabinet, and on tho
grounds which have stated; and parti-
cularly was rejoiced at the suppressed
tone Of the British press | consoed my
self with the reflection, that, so far as
Great Britain played her part, there was
but little or no prospect OF war. Let
me tell senator's that | am as much oppo-
j sed to crouching to The British lion as any
of them, and am as resolutely de-
, ,ermined to maintain at all hazards our
: rights; ami when | am assured OF their
! violation, will be prompt and ready to
1 vindicate them as becomes the standing
d and character OF this great nation. Not
l.. only would vote declaration of war,
Il OUT HiIIlOuS upon iiiilllOuo " oS'Nho u"
: insuIted right. But | take this occasion
= to say, in my place, that | am PEACE
man. | am for peace if it can be honor.
I ably maintained, and no vote OF mine shall
ever be given on this floor tending to
countenance an unnecessary war. Gen
tlemen may talk lightly ofthis thing called
; war. Ii is a fine theme !or oratorical
t display. 1t is a capital subject for rhe-
torica effort. But to the millions from
| whom taxes are wrung to support war, it
is a matter Of very different import |
feel il my duty to protect the rights Of The
f PAYERS, and if no higher consideration
influenced ne, it would be sufficient that
these tax. payers have stood by me at tho
} ballot box-haye clothed me with their
power, and reposed in me their response
blIilies.
The people, Mr.. President, whom |
] have the honor to represent will never
consent to measure our national honor by
dollors and cents. Yet, sir, il | know
that people, they are equally opposed to
an appeal to arms TO adjust and settle our
difficulties With foreign nations, when the
same can be accomplished by peaceful and
honorable negotiation No honest man
can be 50 blind as 10 desire war, with all
lis caIamities, if it can be honorably avoi.
ded. Sir, your Presidents not for war; he
lis for peace, as his whole conduct in this
transaction proves. lie has offered tho
most liberal terms Of compromise, which
| hope may yet be acceded 10. 90 tor
sustaininng him in his efforts to settle this
controversy.
But let us examine this question lit
tie further. 1t is said, Mr.. President, as
i | before remarked, that we are to have
war with Great Britain to settle our rights
| in the Oregon territory, and where is tx
As am not speaking particularly TO you
but through the senate TO my constituents,
| will refer 10 the geographical portion of
This territory. 1t is strip Of land lying
between the Rocky mountains and the Pa
cifc ocean, and extending from latitude
AZ degrees 40 minutes; being distant some
three thousand miles from the United
States. Well this territory is supposed
Ito be ours. Has Great Britain marched
a military force there and taken possession
of it? Has she forcbly expelled our CT
liens residing there? Are scenes of car
mage and blood enacted there Has
Great Britain protested against our rights
in Oregon or their enjoyment? No.
You are now enjoying in common, and in
Joint occupancy with Great Britain, those
rights which never, up to the year 1910,
were asserted as exclusively belonging
10 the United States. In 1918, when the
was held which stipulated to
hold this territory in joint occupancy, we
are told Il have the paper before mel by one