The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-27

interest Through this, nearly the whole revenues
of the country derived, and every man who Is
liable TO pay tax is, less, directly inter-
esied IN It's protection and IT'S success The com
mittee have not, therefore, hesiated in coming To
the conclusion rather he should speak for himself
as member of it, that independently OF any anue-
paed early rupture of the peaceful and friendly re-
Iatons subsisting between this and foreign coun-
tries AN increase Of naval force Is highly expe-
dent if not absolutely necessary. At the worst,
in the language Of the Secretary, Il will be but an
"anticipaIion Of what at an early day would be re-
quired even in OF the establishment Of harmony
with all nations.p as a.
| But other views may be taken, and for one he
was not disposed TO blink them IL cannot be the
part Of wisdom TO shut our eyes to the true condl-
lion of things Dangers are not avoided or dimin-
ished by refusing 10 look them resolutely in the
face. For himself he might indulge unnecessary
approximations but he thought he saw spirit abroad
in the earth that would yet compel US, whatever may
| be our notions OF war, and however peaceful
inenations, TO in selfdefence--to fight for our
very political existence.
Il is true that the principles and policy Of our
government, the character, pursuits, and sentiments
Of people, all tend, IN an eminent and almost ir.
resstible degree, to the maintenance OF peace and
good fellowship with the whols world; yet no one
can fail TO perceive that the elements Of war,
apparently sumbering, may be set in connection
| by word or breath. The democratic principle
the principle Of sef-goyernment-is making sure,
|
ten governments Of the Old World not
Keeling under its influence, the time is not far
distant when they will be shaken TO their
very centre. And when they shall topple and
fall, IA he religiously believed they would, the
shouts Of Joy that would 60 up from the down
trodden and oppressed millions would not be more
distinctly heard than the principle Of eternal progress
would be distinctly visible. But this Is not TO be ac
oOmplished without struggle. Ne en- 10 90 uo-k
as 10 suppose IT. The pleasures OF power are never
| al hay
portion Of the human race rioted upon the spoils
wrung from the toll and sweat and from the blood
even, of the masses, 10 renquish them without
long, desperate, and an agonizing struggle And
in this struggle, will the altar from which this dem
ocratc fire Is kindled be overlooked viii demo-
cratic America, from which these glorious influences
are constantly emanating, be regarded with friend
lly eyel Will there be no attempt 10 extinguish
the sun which has thus been illuminating all the
dark places of the earth, and carrying light and life
TO poor, crushed, down-trodden humanity For
one, he could not doubt, with the distinguished
senator from Michigan, that the conflict was TO
come; and when, side, Il is for truth for lib
erty for humaniiy-for the great principles that lie
at the foundation Of the wel-being Of man-when it
is for the preservation and maintenance Of our own
free institutions, in Gods name let il come--the
sooner, the better. or the result Of such contest,
an inhdel only could doubt. The progress OF hui
nanity is decree which humanity itself cannot re-
sist He who attempts IL, attempts 1t but to be
crushed and overwhelmed. In that great contest, il
is clear that the only true republic upon carth--we,
the people Of the United Slaies-wil have to play
conspicuous part Our destiny must be fulfilled;
and he who would shrink from the responsibilities
and duties which the enjoyment Of liberty imposes,
is unworthy of those enjoyments.
| To some, these views and apprehensions might
appear to be far-fetched, If not visionary He could
not regard them so. He could not regard them as
entirely unworthy Of consideration, even when reg
uating our military and naval establishments, es-
pecially when VIC hear from across the waters the
doctrine of the balance Of potcer so ayowed and
tended TO embrace the continent Of America and
when we fragrant an instance Of unauthorized
and unjusthabe interference with the affairs Of this
continent that lately witnessed at Buenos Ayres
For one, he would like to see that act properly
buked and the parties be made to understand that it
was not to be, and would not be, tolerated. The
same remarks would apply to the interference of the
same parties in our negotiations with Texas. ..
But he would pass TO matters that no one could
regard as Of remote interest to us, in any
visionary. He would refer to the present existing
diffic utes between this country and England, and
he did not use the plural tense accidentally. He
knew that to the eyes Of many, but one subject of
difficulty presents ITSELF He wished il were so.
But the hardy fishermen and lumbermen know
that il is not These differences. now scarce
ly known beyond the boundaries Of Maine, and
if known may be regarded of very little i'm
portance, may yet assume magnitude now little
dreamed Of The speck bigger than a mans
hand may yet swell into a dark and portentous
cloud. ---fr. ...
| By the convention concluded at London on the
Goth Of October, 1918, the fisheries the coasts of
Labrador and Newfoundland were supposed to
have been secured to the United States And yet
by construction grossly erroneous and unjustfa-
BILE, the fishing vessels of Maine almost daily
seized and confscated under the DEGREES of petty
provincial courts, while in the enjoyment of clear
treaty privileges, if not Of their clear natural rights
I By the convention alluded 10, the citizens Of the
United States prohibited only from taking fish
within three miles of the coast To common
mind this would seem to present no difficulty.
Three miles from the coast or shore, is a phrase
involving ambiguity, and ought not to be a sub
ject Of difference between parties Of any intelligence
and uprightness of intention. British ingenuity,
however-he would not say stimulated by British
rapacity--has discovered that the proper mode Of
ascertanlng this distance is to draw direct line
| from a point three miles outside Of cape or
headland TO point three miles outside of another
cape or headland-thereby entirely excluding our
vessels from fishing within any of the deep inden-
tations or bays which abound on the coast So that
under this construction vessels have been seized
when actually more than fifteen miles from any
coast shore, and subsequently condemned for that
cause in the provincial courts.
More than one Secretary of State, he had under
stood, had demonstrated with the British govern
ment for this unjustfablc course and had demanded
remuneration for the suffering fishermen. Thus
far, however, circumstances and our demands
have been treated with the coolest neglect if not
with the most sovereign contempt. To some this
may appear small matter. To Maine it is great
matter. 1t is grievance to which she will not
silently submit.
/ But, sir, this 10 not all Of which Maine has to
complain, and which should be regarded too mai
ers Of national offence, and for which the fullest and
most satisfactory reparation should be demanded.
All will recoect that by the late treaty Of Washing
ton, or Ashburton treaty, this government was sup
posed to have secured for Maine the free navigation
of the river st. John But let me tell you sir, (said
Mr. F.,) it is all moonshine That provision in the
treaty has been evaded by subterfuge gross and
lunjustifable--a subterfuge utterly unworthy even
Of the nation practising it. BY the third article
of that treaty 1t is substantially stipulated that
all the productions Of that part of the State Of
Maine watered by the st. John, transported down
that river should be dealt with if they were the
productions of the British provinces; ttat no higher
the latter. To evade this provision, and prevent
Maine from deriving any advantage under it, this