Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-01-24
CONGRESS-OREGON.


In the House of Representatives on the
9th inst, Mr.. c. J. Ingersol Chairman
of the committee on Foreign Affairs, re-
ported in favor of terminating the joint &C.
cupancy of the territory f Oregon. A min.
GRITTY report from the same committee was
also presented by Carrot Davis, denying
the power of the House of Representatives
to take any part in the matter: it belonged
to the treaty making power.
Upon the reference Of the report of the
majority, an interesting debate arose, GOV.
ering the whole Oregon question.
We can make room but for short cx-
tract from the debate. Messrs. Giddings
Of Ohio, Cabell of Georgia. and several
others having spoken, Mr.. Rhe.t, of South
Carolina obtained the floor. and said
The Duke Of Wellington had well said that a
war between the United States and Great Britain
would not be little war. 1t would be mighty
war-one Of the most desperate that ever oc
CURED in the world. But gentlemen said it was
expedient TO havs war with Great Britain, be.
cause it would be a war between systems Of
government--a war in behalf OF republican in.
sti,utions against the monarchical systems OF the
Old World-a war in which liberty was to
stand on one side and arbitrary power on the
other. If sir. (ssid Mr.. R.) we are to get into
war with England, she would be very glad,
no doubt, to have the opportunity Of mpressing
the belief upon all the governments Of Europe,
that We waged the war not for territory, but for
the purpose OF putting down all forms Of govern
ment except our own; that we are making war
Of fraternity; war for spreading our peculiar
institutions Of government over the earth--such
war as the French republic carried on. How
long will it be, sir, before all the nations of the
earth would be combined against US, if we under
take such an enterprise as this? If, 10 the course
Of events. such a conflict must take place, had
we not better meet it in our manhood in the full
vigor and strength OF maturity, than in our early
days? The inevitable consequence Of post
ponement OF the struggle would be favorable 10
our triumph in such war. Time was as i'm
portant to us in reference to the great struggle, as
| it was now in relation to Oregon We can
gain Oregon if we await our time. We could
conquer the world if we abided our time; but we
ought not to rush prematurely into the struggle.
and before we had reached our proper stature and
strength. II we consulted our prospects OF su
cess, we would await our time. when our power
would be irresistible. That struggle between
systems could not, as had supposed, occur for
some twenty, or fifty years hence. when this
county would be able 10 Withstand and defy the
world in arms. There was now no necessity for
such war; neither our interests nor our honor
had been assailed. Why not suffer things to re-
main as they are? Sir, we want time. The
struggle may come, but not in Oregon. When
that war arose, every man, woman, and child in
the whole country would feel its shock.
Sir. (said Mr.. R.,) am not afraid of war
with England, nor any other nation. The United
States are in position impregnabe TO any
assault. No nation can conquer US. The prin.
cpes OF our government render US as incapable
Of conquering other nations as they are OF con-
queIng US. But If we did wage war OF ag.
glesson, we should have great reason to regret its
success. Suppose we subdus England, and plant
our victorious banner, if you please, on the pal
ace OF ST. James. We have got Oregon then.
and ruined ourselves. Can any man suppose
that our government, at the end OF this long
struggle, will be what it now is? VIII not
military rule have become substituted for consti.
tutional order? |, sir, am peaceabe man.
have been here nine years, struggling TO put
some limitations upon our government. have
ever been what has been called a Jefersonian
| republican, though not under an October sum-
and it is my sincere belief that, if this war should
take place, it will so alter the form of this gov.
eminent that it will become as despolic as that
of Russia. | call upon all those who represent
the democratic principles to say whether they
wish to see our limited institutions Of government
run over by military power, and subjected to
military dsspotsm. Our constitution would be
utterly destroyed by wars such as those which are
now thought expedient. The whole system
would crumble into ruins. We all know how
difficult il has been 10 put any limitations upon
the power OF this government. See what a
struggle has been continued Tor years between
the federal and ant, federal principles OF our in
sulons, and how great tendency had always
| existed in our government towards Capitalization
There had been strong tendency TO the sggran.
dzement Of the head and the subsection Of the
several parts OF the system, As soon as our