Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-01-07
WAsn1NcroN. Dec. le. 1915.

were filed, at an early hour by an anxious
crowd. who were drawn together By the
debate on Gen'l Cass's resolutions, look
ing TO measures for national defence. Mr..
Buchanan WAS present, and took seat
within the bar, aud listened with intense
interest to the whole discussion The
French, Russian and o,her foreign MIMI
tiers were also present; and SO deep was
the interest excited in the course OF the
discussion, that all the spectators, leaving
their seats, stood up.
The debate was oPeRed by Mr. Niles,
Of whom it has been said that he pike, as
Franklin wrote, expressing the common
sense of the people. He was followed by
Mr.. Criuenden, Mr.. Sewer, Mr.. Berrien,
Mr.. Clayton, of Delaware, Mr.. Allen, Of
Ohm, Mr.. Breese, and Mr.. Woodbridge
The character Of the debate was, on the
whole, highly gratifying to every Ameri-
can. 1t displayed an entire unanimity as
to the great point of giving hearty sup
port, on all sides, 10 the cause of the coun.
try, if war should arise. A strong dspo
sition was also manifested TO prosecute
with more vigor than heretofore, the inn
provement of the Naval and other defen.
ces, no matter whether war should result
from the present difficulties or not The
debate will not upon the whole, tend ma
terially TO agitate the public mind aud de-
range the commercial business of the
country, for it shows strong belief on The
part OK Senators, on both sides. that the
result of war would be avoided. Some
prominent men, it is true, deem the dan
ger of war TO be imminent, but even they
admitted that war could not take place un
I'll after the expiration Of the YEARS. notice.
Referring you TO The newspapers Tor the
debate, | will give you the opinions as ex-
pressed by some of the speakers on The
question whether war is likely to arise out
of this matter or not.
Mr.. Niles, in his temperate and saga
cous remarks, expressed a strong convic-
ton that the matter was vet to be settled
on The basis of the 49ih parallel, which
orr government offered to Great Britain.
Ii was lrne that our government could no,
renew that proposition under present cir
cumstances, but they were bound TO accept
il when offered by Great Britain. He be-
lieved that Great Britain, when she found
that she could gel 10 more, would be dis
posed 10 take the 49ih parallel, and that
she would herself make that offer.
Mr.. Critenden expressed the apprehen-
sion that the positive terms in which the
distinguished Senator from Michigan had
predicted war, would have great influence
in bringing it about. As that Senator
was supposed 10 be in the full confidence
of The administration, il would be suppos-
ed that he had good reasons Anoi known
to the public generally, for his belief thai
war would then be inevitable.
Mr.. Cass explained. He (Mr. c. hac
stated that, after The years notice il Grea
Britain should insist upon exclusive righl!
in the territory Of Oregon, war would ther
be inevitable. In answer 10 further en-
quiry from Mr.. Criltenden, Gen. Cas-
said he would give ifas his own private
opinion that war was almost inevitable.
Mr.. Webster undertook to show from
the Presidents message, that the Presi
dent did not expect that war would be thu
consequence of this difficulty.
Mr.. Sewer said, as his friend from Mich
igan had been catechised, he (Mr. Sewer
would volunteer an opinion, to-wit: tha
war must come.
Mr.. Berrien undertook to show that tn
negotiation, on its very face, sho we'd tha
1t WIS still open. IL was commenced in
spirit Of compromise, which assumed iha
neither party should insist upon its ex
IRENE claim. lie showed that nothing hat
occurred to produce an abandonment o
that principle. Mr.. Clayton, of Deh
ware declined The expression of any opIn
ION rs 10 The occurrence of "a war.
Mr.: Allen, with great vehemence, de
clared that If The government would no
fight for II eegrees OF latitude on the Pa
clic, the people CT the United States wonl
take The matter into their own hands. an,
force The government into a war. lie de
clared that The government was now ohlie
ed 10 stand 10 our whole claim, up 10 s.
deg. 40 min.
Gen. Cass's resolutions were put TO tn
vote and adopted undnimOuslys
The House was engaged upon the bill
providing for The admlssi"n Of Texas mt
the Uniou. The House iooknp the ~
with determination 10 pass il Al once
Little lime was allowed fur debate. B
virtue of The previous question, The b.
was carried through al lis stagessand 9
naIIy passed by al TO 81
[Coyres't NO. Baletia.