The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-12

able senator from Michigan and others-uuty
described by them-entirely unprotected ana On,
armed IN case any foreign foe whatever should
choose 10 make war upon US. IL Is strictly true
true 10 the very letterthat the Notifications OF inc
country are either in state Of diapldation or That
there are no forhoatons at all AT points where they
would be eminenuy demanded IN case OF war
My honorable friend from Florida, lMr. WEST
corr,l described the situation OF the sea-eoast
Justly in my opinion and did the honorable sena'
from Michigan; and thank the honorable senator
from Florida for his aluslon, particularly, TO inc
present defenceess condition Of my own seetlon OF
country. Ii is, indeed, true, that honorable SEN
ator has said that there is no defence whatever wor
thy of being called defence, Tor the great city OF
Philadelphia-the second commercial city OF this
Union IL is true that there is not single gun
mounted between the city Of Wilmington and the
eapes; that there is, as he remarked, breakwater
harbor at the entrance Of the Delaware bay, built
for the protection Of the commerce Of this country,
capable Of adording acomplete protection TO the
British, or any other nation, in the event Of war
"a point which could not possibly escape the at
tention Of ssgaclOus enemy, because from that
point the city Of New York and all the cities Of the
coast as wei as the towns both sides of the Del
aware, and the city Of Philadelphia, could be
struck. This is our condition on the coast. Well,
now in all these circumstances, with a full knowl.
edge OF this subeei-with full knowledge OF the
fact too, that we have commercial marine al this
moment equal, verify believe, To that Of England
itself-exposed TO the depTedations Of any enemy,
upon any and every sea, IN the event OF war
there Is notone friend Of the administration who
stands forward 10 inform Congress that there s the
slightest daI ger Of war | look to these things,
To these matters, as much more significant Of what
is to happen than to the published correspondents
between the Secretary Of State and the British min
lister. II were to Judge from the negotiations be.
tween the two ministers, | should say, without
doubt, that the country was in imminent danger OF
war; because | am not capable, at this moment, OF
understanding from that upon what ground the
great question between England and the United
States is to be peaceabY settled. We have refused
all arbitration. We have refused TO arbitTaie the
question Of boundary and the question Of title. We
have refused refer either TO crowned heads or TO
private citizens We have rejected every PROPOSE
ton that has thus far come from England; and, al
though we have heard it repeatedly asserted this
floor that the Of the British press before the
last steamer left England, was pacific, yet II has
hardly escaped the attention Of any intelligent man.
rejecting the subject, that the sole reason assign
ed by that press for that pacific tone the appre
hension-the hope-perhaps the belief-that we
were about to make sacrifices with view the set
tement Of this question by affording to England, by
a commercial treaty, certain advantages. Now, |
say that any man who reposes on such a hope as
that will, in my Judgment, find himself mistaken.
repeat then, that il were TO look only 10 the pub.
lished correspondence and the tone OF the British
presS-Whlch does not AFFECT my opinion AT ALL
should consider the country to be in imminent dan
ger. But look TO other facis--and that is to the
conduct of those to whom is entrusted the admins
Taton Of our national atfairs--and seeing that, am
bound TO say here in my place, and under the
sponsibihty Of my position, that cannot entertain
any apprehension Of war. Sir, to suppose that the
President Of the United States would bring this
country to the verge ofa war, and that with pow
erful a nation as England, without giving the Con-
gress of the United States TO understand that we
were in imminent danger OF war-to suppose that
he and his cabinet ministers have brought to the
very verge of war, and yet that none Of them has
recommended any means for the defence Of the
country, knowing at the same time its denuded con-
didon, would be TO suppose what regard as ut
terly impossible. | differ from the administration
pohtically-that is, was not one ofthose who united
in putting the President in power. But have not
distrusted his integrity and patriotism so far,
will dstrust them so far as to suppose that he has
seriously harbored the idea Of placing this country
in the attitude Of war with the most powerful
ton Of the earth, whilst he has refused to give us
the slightest intimaiion that we are in any such
danger; and whilst he, and his officers who hold
power under him, have withheld any and every
proposition for securing the national defence. Sir.
do not hold the measure OF notice 70 be meas
uFe tending OF necessarily leading TO war. The
President, under the cirrur1 Stances which hey3
described, asks OF me % 5ss,cwcI Lisn the power
Of giving this notsce 10 England. He stands in a
p9sfffOG Hncrt ne mas me opportunity cI kh1N-
ing the benefits that are to follow TINT notice. ae
hss The facts before him. He has Ill the data be-
fore him. / hays not. He has the opportunity of
free communication with the British minister and
of understanding the views of the British govern
ment. l have not. The people of the United
States have conferred upon him high responsible
ties not entrusted to me; and will not seek to take
them from him. With full knowledge, them Of
all the facts Of the case, he the RESPONSE
blity of desiring the power to give the notice; and
in all the circumstances of the case as they stand
before me, and for the reasons which have ex-
pressed and about further to express, am will
ling to entrust him with that power. | will say to
have all the means of knowing whether
this measure will rebound TO the honor and pros
perity of the country not and at your peril exer
else this power" If he thinks proper, let him ex-
ercise it. But will not, cannot vote for the
olution which oompels him to exercise that power,
although he is DESTROYS that the notice should be
given. | mean to confne myself to the resolution
which gives him the discretion, and | will go no
further Mr.. President, | hold that the President
of the United States has it in his power to bring on
a war with England, if to him it should seem best;
and although the constitution Of the United States
has given to Congress the sole power to declare
war, yet if the President of the United
States chooses so to negotiate, to carry
on his correspondence through his Seere-
tary Of State with foreign power as TO involve
US in war, it will not depend on any action Of
ours whether there shall or snail not be war. Con-
eress has done nothing bring things into the pres
ent condition which many hold to be so perilous.
II there be danger in the present aspect of rela
tons with England. that has not been induced in
Of any action the part Of Congress.
The whole action on the subject has been confined
to the Executive Well, the President may go still
further; he may, without the consent Of Congress,
and has been dore by others before him, commit
actual hostiites. cannot shut my eyes to the great
fact that it is in the power Of the President Of the
United States, no matter what the action Of Con-
gress on this any other question before it, to pro-
yoke war with England if he be resolved SO TO do.
If he do shall deeply deplore IL but the fault will
not be on my head, nor the heads Of those who
have acted with me- The majority of the nation
have intrustcd him with the power-the majority Of
The nation therefote only cnn be censurable for his
acts. But my own course shall be so pursued in this
matter 10 lead to what believe will be an honor
able peace between the two nations. l am the
friend of peace-of nm honorable pence; and trust
and hope, and must say that il is my belief that the
President Of the United States intends war; but
On the contrary an honorable peace. do not wish
him to make dishonorable peace. do not intend
IN the course Of my remarks to submit any opinion
,ha,. m t,,b, oh - -, ~