The North-Carolina standard., 1846-02-25
AN ELOQUENT SPEECH.

In the Senate of the United States on the 10Th
Instant, Mr.. HANNEeAN, of Indiana, delivered
most eloquent and powerful Speech on the Oregon
question. We regret that our limits will not per-
nit US to give this Speech at length. but we pre-
semitic our readers the concluding portions of it:
Sir, have been startled occasionally here BY
expressions which have heard from some Of the
most distingui he'd and estimable members of this
body, in relation to the territory of Oregon
heard distinguished senator, few DAYS ago.
when under the excitement and warmth of debate
but it was all the same; for it told on the coun-
try heard the senator speak sneerinely and
isIigh,ingIy about what he said was a wild piece
of land at one of the ends of the earth" Does he
know what that piece of land is? The statements
OF those who have visited it say there is no finer
region ofthe earth that 1t offers every induce
ment that can be held out TO man-to the bold and
enierprising emf grants who seek home Why,
sir there is the island Of Vancouver. which in the
month OF April was covered with verdant soil
to the depth Of two feet. There is found. as on
both sides the Atlantic between the parallels of
40 and 64 natural combination of the deep har-
bors and bold coasts for the protection of CONNER
cial and maritime interests. 1t has abundance Of
timber of the finest kind for building ships 1t
affords every facility for raising up and supporting
great maritime people; and and above
everything, with everything that there is in the
regions fthe Atlantic, it has, besides, the mild
and moderate temperature of the Pacific waters.
"Mr. MANGUM. Will the senator allow me to
say one or two words | understand the alusion
of the senator 10 be to me-
" Mr.. HANNEGAN. Yes.
"Mr. MANGUM. | have taken occasion to ex-
press no opinion on the question in relation TO
what might or mig ght not be the value oflha coun-
try. In TRUTH the opinions upon the subject are
so conflicting that have not been able TO form a
satisfactory one. Some have represented it as a
sterile country without water and rain. Others,
again, among whom is a member in the other
House, says it is fertile rs to be fit for the pro-
ducton of sugar and cotton, even as far up the
6lSt degree &c..
! "Mr HANNEGAN. Ifit was good for the pro-
ducton Of sugar and cotton, it would not have en-
countered the opposition it has done its possession
would have been at once secured Sir. if it IS not
good for sugar cotton is not destitute of rains
for the nator will find if he takes the trouble OF
reading the journal of Lieut. Fremont, he will
find it narrated there, that during the first winter
he passed there they were nearly deluged with
rain. But it is good for something better. 1t
guards the coast above 49 deg it commands
! Nootka sound and the northern Pacific ocean.
AS livc and as shall answer for it to my con-
stu,ents, would as soon give them every foot of
the territory as Fuca sound. What would it be
worth to give them the inlet to Fuca sound II is
: but so miles from Nootka sound, the best harboT
! on the Oregon coast. There in time of war, could
rendezvous naval force that would hold in com
pletc control the harbor of Pugcts sound. You
give twoffhs of Vancouver's island and conse-
quentIy the control and ownership of Qneen
! Charlotte's sound and the Gulf of Georgia. With
the exception Of these, is not harbor there that
would be worth the attention Of any nation, civiz-
cd or savage not one that would furnish shelter
for folilla larger than Indian canoes. Sir OBJ
jccons 10 the assertion Of our title is old the
government ITSELF We first find it at the settle
ment Of Kentucky, seeking to con6ne this repub-
lie to its then limits and we find it, from TIME to
time. during the progressive settlement Of the
whole West We find it in vehement opposition
to the acquisition Of Louisiana and Florida, and
from the last to the present moment in charitable
efforts TO repel the advances OF Texas. But sir,
this last, the present opposition, is more improper
more malignant than any previous; for it invokcs
the aid the eSpeciLl aid Of British tyranny 10 blot
our page and hurl US from the high throne Of ouI
destiny. But, sir, those who are engaged in this
object are engaged in the work of Sysiphus. Be
! fore reply TO some remarks that fell from the
distinguished senator from Delaware, allow me to
read from speech Of the senator from Missouri q
dcscr pton of Oregon and more bold and graph
ic one never was given inside these walls
"' do not diate upon the value and extent o.
this great country A word suficcs to display
both. In extent, it is larger than the Atlantic por
lion of the old thirteen United States; in climate
softer; in fertility, greater; in saubriiy, superior
in position, better, because fronting Asia, ant
washed by tranquil sea. In all these particulars
the western slope of our continent is far moro
happy than the eastern. In conhguraIion, it is
inexprcssibly fine and grand-a vast oblong square
with natural boundaries, and single gateway in
to the sea. The snow-capped Rocky mountains
enclose it 10 the east an iron bound coast on th'
west frozen desert on the north, and sandy plains
on the south. All its rivers, rising on the seq
meut Of a vast circumference, run to meet eacl
other in the centre, and then flow together int
the ocean through gap in the mountain, where
the heats Of summer and the colds of winter art
never felt, and where southern and northern dis
eases are equally unknown. This is the valley
Of the Columbia-a country whose every advan
tage is crowned by the advantages of position ant
confgura.ion by the unity of all its parts-th
inaccessbIity of its borders-and its sngl lie in
PROGRESSION to the sea. Such country is formed
for union wealth, and strength. 1t can have bu
one capital, and that will be Thebes; but on
commercial emporium, and that will be Tyre
queen of cities. Such country can have but on
people, one interest, one government; and tha
people should be American, that interst ours, an
, that government republican. Accursed and infa
nous be the man that divides or aienates it "
"Sir. that is the language of the great senate
from Missouri, and to every word of it give
, hearty amen. There were portions of the re
[Mr. CIayton,I on Thursday last, in which fin
!: T. .loka al