The Southern journal., 1846-02-07
Extracts lunC j. lngason's Speech on the Oregon Question

this question, he begged leave to say
that he was neither for war Of ag-
gression nor a peace Of Submission.
He was not friendly to that sswisc and
mastery inactivity" which had been
announced by highly distinguished
gentleman in another branch Of this
Capitol. Nor had he (Mr. ~ any
idea that we were to wait Que minute
longer than until our faith should be
cleared BY the termination of the Joint
occupancy.
But in his opinion there was no oc,
casion for any fear Of war. There
we're already seven thousand settlers
there, with American sympathies,
American arms, and American hearts.
He had conversed with one Of those,
now here. who accompanied them,
and who had put into his jMr. l.'s)
hands, the memorial he had recent,
presented. That memorial had been
criticised, because, like Charlemagne
aud most ofihe Barons Of Runnymcdc.
two of the Vice Presidents had signed
with a cross. But this amounted to
nothing. 1t was no great cause Of
disrespect that man could not sign
his name. He had known many great
men who were no good hands at chi.
rography. The reason in the present
case was to be found in the want Of
an original education; they had not
been taught TO write; but they were
good and true men. disposed to adhere
to their country. These seven thou
sand settlers had built a village, which
contained six or seven mills. They
raised grain, potatoes, and other
means OF subsistence. They were liv-
ing there in peace and quetncss; and
what was more, speaking Of this mat.
ter of war, they had more than 1000
good rifles with them. They had
greater military force, ten times told.
,han England had or could have in
the Oregon territory; for, though she
could go 10 Oregon by sea, yet, to
take troops there by land, she must
traverse distance of several thous-
and miles, and at an expense, and un.
der difficulties, too great to be en-.
dured. 1t was question Of power;
and, as to that, the whole pacific ar.
gument was with US. The President.
or the Senate, or both united, could
not make war; and as member of
body which the Constitution had
made part Of the warmaking pow.
er, he was disposed to say, that war
should not come unless that war was
necessary and just. He saw no me-
cessity for war. All we had to do was
to let our women and children 90
there, and without any assistance
from any one, they would take possess
sion OF the country, as Daniel Boon,
Rogers, Clarke, aud other early pio-
neers had done-men of wonderful
character, peculiaE!o the American
soil.
He, for one, should insist, as he OBJ
served that the English Newspaper in
New York had insisted-that it was
peace, and not war measure. He
had so argued two years ago: and he
should continue SO to argue until the
very roar of the cannon of Great Bri.
tain convinced him to the contrary.
Great Britain was not about TO make
war upon US for any such cause; and
be was delighted to see, so far as he
had been able TO judge, in all parts of
this House, though number of his
Southern friends were opposed TO any
precipitate action, yet it seemed to
him that, from the East and West.
the North and South, there was one
universal sentiment prevailing here.
lie wonld reserve to himself the right
on some proper OCCASION, TO address
the House on the merits of this ques.
ton. But he would say now, that
Oregon was worth a war. Let us