The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-09-05

food to appease. Between standing
armies and standing famine, the naked
and breadless masses raving with des-
pair, hourly threaten to dash against
the constitution itself, and TO bring all
rights and all wrongs, all property and
all men, to the bloody arbi:rament of a
social revolution.
On the other hand, how is il with
us? What American says, 81 have no
breadw What single man of them,
threatens his government with revo-
luton? Who among them all, lifts his
hand to resist the execution of the law?
What is The question which we yearly,
in this Chamber, DISGUST? Is it the
question, "How shall we save the peo-
pie from famine?" No, sir, no. Ours
is the question, "How shall we render
our fellow. citizens, already comforta-
BILE and happy, still richer and yet etmore
happyT' This is our question. The
same instincts which prompt men to
desire a competency, prompt them al
so, to desire surplus; and it is the
best means of promoting this surplus,
that excite our discussions. From its
foundation to this moment, therefore,
this Government has shed no mans
blood, for a political offence. We
have prisons, but no prisoners, for such
crimes. One citizen only, for many
years, has been confined on political
charge, not by this, but by the govern
mont of State, and in that case, so
great has been the shock upon tie pub
lie feeling, that the very men who i'm
prisoned him, have thrown open the
door and asked him to walk out, as a
favor to them. No, sir, so far is any
man here from resisting the execution
of the law, that all stand ready to en-
force it. Not an armed man, not a
single bayonet, is employed by this
Government 10 enforce obedience to
its laws, over an area, eight thousand
miles in circumference. In the popu-
lous cities Of the east-upon the remot-
est margin of the western wilderness
plain citizen, seated amidst his coun-
trymen, unguarded by weapons. with
no protection but paper commission,
calmly pronounces judgment between
man and man-between the strong and
the feebe-betwee the rich and the
poor alike-and eniorces 1t, by merely
observing, that 'such is the law."-
And why is all this? 1t is because this
very law sprang from the breasts of
the people-because every man feels
that il is a rule, he himself aided to
make-that its enforcement is essen
tial to his own protection, and that the
citizen appointed 10 enforce it, was ap-
pointed with his consent, and is, there
fore, responsible, in part, TO him.
In these things, sir, it is, that the
strength Of our, and the weakness Of
the British Government, consists
Ours, resting upon the hearts-hers
upon the backs Of the people. What,
then, have we to do, to secure Oregon?
Extend over it, our laws. What else
have we to do, for its defence? Tell
the people the truth. Tell them it is
their soil. Tell them thls-prove it to
them-as we have before told them, and
before proven it. Tell them that ar
rogant England--their hereditary ene-
my, the enemy OF all free governments;
is seeking to snatch it from them, to
fence US out from the Pacific Ocean, to
belt US about, yet more closely. with
her kingly despotism. Tell them these
things, and then ask them, if they will
surrender this large part of thelr coun-
try-surrender it 10 that government
which, in two wars, employed savages
to hack TO pieces, in cold blood, The
women and children of America--sur,
render it to that government which
hates ours, because it is free--whlch
envies our people for their happiness,
in proportion to the misery of its own.
Tell them these things, and ask, if they
are ready ihus to surrender this vast
territory, from the mere dread of inva-
sion by rabble of armed paupers,
threatened to be sent by bankrupt
government, whose whole power OF the
sword and the dungeon is required to
stihe the cries of famine at home, or to
protect its own life. against the uplift-
ed hands Of starving millions. Tell
them these things-ask them if they are
ready 10 make this surrender. Ask
the American people this, and they will
give you an answer, which shall make
the British empire tremble, throughout
its whole frame and foundation.
Important from Vera Cruz.
By our private correspondence from
Pensacola, received yesterday, we are