The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-27


better that should be retained than that any doubt shoul
be created by striking II outp
i All these distinguished senator's united in admit
ting that our title clear and indispuiable; they
were, however, opposed 70 the preamble OF DR.
Inns bnl chiefly because they feared that its in
sertlon might in degree, prejudice our title by
seeming 10 express doubt on the subject. When
ever our title comes TO be fully examined, all doub
on the subject must come % an end Senator Linn \
lbiil passed the Senate by very large majority
This fact, and the Arguments urged in its favor,
observing Of some consideration. | will refer 10 the
eminent senator from Sonth Carolina Mr.. CALHoUS,
who made an eloquent speech In opposition 10 the
bill, because he deemed II imPoc onrge our claim,
hfn. MIR. Calhoun said that our title was good
that IL stood in need of hasiy assertion Of it, He
concluded by saying that IL the bill were to pass no
tiee 10 Great Britain ought irsi TO be given. Whie
do not by any means approve all the Of thai
distinguished senator on this question, trust thai
he will yet be found coming 10 the rescue, whatever
may be The final determination of Congress.
| might here indulge in some comments on the
course pursued by certain gentlemen Of the South In
this debate; but u N not any intention charge
members from the South .korLa, who seef tn op-
pose this notice, with want Of patriotism devo-
ton to whit they deem the best intertA, Of The coun-
try. We have had too many proofs, assuming the
substantive forms OF noble ard generous deeds, OF
that devotion to the interests Of the whole Union,
to allow Us TO doubt their patriotism. And what
ever course these gentlemen may take here have full
confidence that If war shall come they will not stop
hcn TO inquire the cause, bu, will be found in the
front rank, defending the rights and the honor Of our
common country. have charity for the hon
esty Of those who differ from me in opinion than
some gentlemen seem 10 possess; believe men may
honestly differ on great questions. But members
from the West have been charged with the design
Of mRdly driving the country into a war with Great
Britain by thcir western Juror, broggadocia &c. in
pressing the question Of notice. IL II be char.
acteTized as vain Boosting and bTaggudoeia to as
seTt here thar we able, ready, and willing
20 defend rights, both in peace and in war;
When we say that we believe and trust in the argu.
ments advanced by our negostors in relation to
title to the whole Of Oregon, and declare our deter
minaIon To aid in carrying into effect the
datIons OF the President IN his annual message are
we to he told that IL is ''demagoguism'" | wish To
avoid war, e we can do so without compromising
our rights or our honor; but sooner than wound
either, say give me war, with all its horrors. II
we shrink from the maintenance OF our rights, from
an lgnobe fear Of war, We will show ourselves
worthy descendants OF our patriot fathers Did
they, although mere handful, shrink from assert
ing their rights for fear Of mourning the displeasure
of England If our form Of government confers
more blessings upon mankind than that Of Great
Britain, surely all lovers Of Freedom all phianthro-
pists should exert their whole energies To secure
Oregon, that those who nhabit it may enjoy the
blessings of a republican government.
In listening TO the ingenious and eloquent speech
Of the honorable gentleman from Kentucky MIR
G. DAVIS, ! was almost persuaded that the country
watered by FraZer's river belonged TO Grent Brit
ain. The honorable gentleman from Kentucky con-
tended, with great zeal, that they had discovered
and settled that country and had "a good q title To
1t al We had to the country wstered by the Column
ba river; and he argued that il would be gross
outrage now to attempt to tnke possession of that
portion of Oregon. But the close of the gentle
mans speech he contended that, by delaying to give
the notice, and by going and settling the country,
We would, in time, be able to take the tehoie
up to $40 40'. As soon as heard that, the whole
eject of the genteman,s able and ingenious argu-
ment evaporated. i thought such proceeding un-
worthy Of great and growing country like this.
We ought TO net in a more frank and manly
ner. We should come out like men, and express
our views and purposes without disguise. Like
the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr.. VIM
TBRoP,] am not for the "hush policy" l want
nothing like stage effect. 1 go for declaring our
rights, and maintaining them. This is what the
people expect at our hands.
1t seems that gentlemen opposed to the notice
think that, by not giving notice, 90 on set
Ting and improving the country, and that England
will remain passive; and that thereby we shall be
the gamers This view is based upon the presump-
ton that the British government is at ignorant,
stupid, and imbecile. If England considers her
claim 10 portion of the country just, and worth
tanning, does any one believe for moment that she
will remain inactivei Can any gentleman point me
to the time, or to the place, when that government
did not put forth all her power and energies to nc
qure and to secure territory Do they suppose that
the English ministry are not advised Of all say,
and of all we do on this question:
The great majority of the American people be-
eve that the whole Of the Oregon territory right
fully belongs to US; that it is ours; and that
called upon by every consideration Of patriotism and
love of freedom--by the duty we owe our patriot
fa,hers--to come up now, boldly and manfuly and
IA; e.. tbat
to terminate the treaty of 9th Of August 1927; and
that after the twelve months shall have elapsed from
the time of giving this notice, we will take possession
of our territory, "peaceabty if we can, orcbly if
must" This, Mr.. Chairman, | believe to be our
duty and nothing short Of this will satisfy the coun-
try nothing less than this will redeem US in the eyes
Of the world, after the declarations we have sent
abroad in relation to claims to this country. If
the will of the people is to be disrcgarded in the ad
iusment Of this great question, where is the benefit
Of our democratic or republican form of govern
ment? How is it better than a monarchy' Where
is our boosted freedom' Where is the popular will
| of the masses? And echo will answer-"Where ?"
Gone sir; gone! abused violated! trampled upon |!
For myself, have listened attenveIy to the argu-
ments of the gentlemen who are in favor Of delay
| and opposed to giving the notice now: and sir for
the life of me, cannot the truth Of their conclu-
sions. fgivng the notice to England is cause of
war no,c it will be Of war if given next year.
or at any future time If England intends to hold
to any portion OF that territory, and 10 fight for H.,
it matters not when we attempt to dispossess them,
war will be the result II may be true that for the
last two years we have been increasing our popula-
| ton in Oregon faster than Great Britain has; but
such will not be the result in time to come, unless
we adopt decided and energetic measures to take
and to hold possession Of the country. Whilst we
are willing negotiate, England has fears Of re-
suits. She knows full well that she can out nego-
tate us. Take, for example, the northeast bounda-
ry. But, air, when they that we claim the whole
country, and come to believe that intend at any
future time 10 take possession Of it, they will teach
us that we have gained nothing by delay.
| The President recommends giving the notice; and
after abiding to the three unsuccessful attempts
that had been made by the two governments, in
1918, 1924 and 1896 to settle this question by COM
promise, he proceeds to state;
when came into office, found this to he the state
the negotiation Though entertaining the settled conyc
ton that the British pretensions Of title could not he main
tanned any portion of the Oregon territory upon
principle Of public law recognised by nations yet in defer
encc 10 what had been done by predecessors, and
ppcally in consideration that propositions OF compromise
had been thrice made by two preceding admins ratons /,
In1iust the question the parallel