The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-10


% which We had valid title. said that tn ere were
n Oregon British rights and American rights; and
hat, when the line was run, would defend soil
10 the utmost extremity and what he had said about
marching over prickly pears was said in that con-
nexion lie bad said that, when our rights were
determined, then he would be ready TO fight for
them, though he had to march barefoot priekly
pears.
Mr.. REID. Where does my colleague think our
rights extend to
Mr. DocKERY. Just where the gentleman's IA
yoriie President settled il in his negotiations. A
laugh.
Mr. RrID. Then the gentleman is with the Pres
dent and the President says, sour title to the phols
Of Oregon has been asserted, and, as is believed
maintained by irrefragable facts and Arguments I"
The gentemans location arose from this connex-
ion: him and myself were members Of the Iegisla-
turo al the same time; he had fayonts project for
the improvement Of Lumber river; and from his real
in favor Of the measure he became associated in my
mind with the name Of the river, NO that thought
Lumber river certainly must run through his district
IA laugh.l
Mr.. DocKERr. The gentleman mistakes the
nature OF my patriotism. He thinks that mani
pssrfcusu must be confined 10 his own district.
Now, am willing to improve North Carolina in
any part Of Ia and just SO feel in regard to the
United States.
Mr.. REID resumed. | am happy TO hear Of the
gentleman's patriotism, and shall be still more so
H. when Il comes 10 the vote, he shall show that his
patriotism, which has already reached Lumber riy-
er Ia found sufficiently Expanded 10 extend 10 Oregon!
hope that we shall look this a great national
question. My feelings are with the South-my
destiny is with hers; but | will suffer no local or
sectional views to influence my couEe on this inn
portant measure. IL was with extreme reluctance
that heard the remark made by member on this
door, that whatever might be the fate Of this ques.
ton, he should have the consolation 10 know that
he had not followed IN the lead OF the gentleman
from Massachusetts,, Mr. ADAM,.l | regret that il
should be thought necessary invoke existing pre-
JUDGES against an individual to operate against a
great national measure.
But, sir, in reply to that remark might with !
equal proprlety, say that who support the notice
will have the consolation to know that we are not
following in the lead Of Great Britain. But such a
declaration would not be argument for or against
the notice IL has been said that the member from
Ohio Mr. GIppISGsl is for the notice, and that he
IL actuated by motives unworthy of a statesman. |
But even this shall not deter me from giving my |
vote for measure which I believe to be right. |
might as well be toll, because one of the chosen
twelve was traitor, and betrayed the Savior, that
therefore | must reject Christianity | folio W in |
The lead OF no man. ] go for my country. We are
told that we must not act lest war ensue Has Il
come to this that our government can carry out no |
important measure connected with her domestic or |
foreign policy without the cry OF war being ruised
and held up as terror over usl War and ruin pan
les have alternately prevailed ever since the com
mencement OF our government, and If we wait for |
them 70 cease before act shall never do any
hing. u we attempt to procure indemnity for |
spoliauons on the properly Of our citizens by
foreign country, the war cry is raised If W. at
tempt to annex Texas in all its horrors il de-
pcted as the consequence and when we atteupt 10
assert our claim to Oregon, we are told an unjust
and sanguinary will be inevitable! The horror.
Of war have been described in SO vivid and forcible
49, -. AZ
saw the British steamers darling from point to point
along our coas-that they heard the LAUNDERING Of
British cannon, and behed our cities with their |
temples Of justice and their temples Of religion |
wrapt in flames But in the midst Of this gloomy |
picture, the reflection rises in my mind, that what
ever may have been the devastating effects Oft
past wars, IL is nevertheless certain a portion OF
mankind are so constituted that they grieve much
about wars that never happen; and such hone lie |
the character of the lamentations of the gentlemen
we have heard on this occasion am for peace |
love peace; appreciate its effects upon commerce.
and, above all, l admire its happy influences in
moral and political point Of view. But while sny
this must be permitted TO remark, that would
scorn the idea Of peace that had TO be purchased
at the sacrifice Of the interests and the honor of nv
country. The territory claimed by Great Britain
on this continent, is greater in extent than our own
with Oregon included; and ought we to surrender 10
that government any portion Of our soR No sir
we have to spare II has been with deem regret
that have heard remarks this floor more dispsr-
aging to our claim to Oregon than anything that have
ever seen in the correspondence of the British min
lister himself Ii has always been unfortunate for
this country that in all Of her controversies with
foreign governments, sentiments have been uttered
here which were calculated to mslead other conn
tries in relation to the state of public op;nion in
the United States and thereby render the subject
of dispute the more difficult to adjust Such. fear
will be the case in the present controversy Sir i'll
is time We had learned to stand on our own feet
Great Britain is, year after year, ky the force of her
diplomacy, and the power Of her sword bringing
nation after nation to bow to power and dominion
until her possessions dot your map over a consider
able portion of the globe. With our love of liner
ty, we could not withhold our sympathy from
those whose misfortune it has been, from time to
time, to fall within her grasp; but we have stood bv
and beheld all these things in silence, adherng 10
the policy not to interfere in foreign disputes in |
which our own safety does not require us TO tako
part But when she comes upon our own shores
and seeks to possess herself Of part of our terri.
tory, every consideration Of interest and of patriot
ism requires that should resist her arrogant de-
mands in the spirit of freemen who know their
rights, and dare maintain them 1.-THE preservation
of our rights did not require it, such course would
then be absolutely necessary to command the
respect of Great Britain herself In all the pictures
that have been drawn Of the horrid results Of war
gentlemen have taken il for granted that we are
fees, and that Great Britain has nothing to
lose. But such is not the fact. Disastrous as
such conflict might prove to us, she has more to
fear from it than ourselves She cannot but foresee
that the prosecution Of war against the United
States would lead to a dsmcmberment of nearly all
Of her colonial possessions, and, perhaps, ultimate
y TO an entire dissolution of her form Of government
Sc has her domestic feuds and her immense debt;
she has comm.rce TO suffer as well as ourselves;
and the loss of our trade will injure her more than
the loss of her trade can nure us. The defenceless
condition Of the United States has been frequently
alluded to; and the gentleman from Alabama [Mr.
fANcEvl said that there were perhaps no United
States soldiers in his own State at this time.
learned almost my first lesson this Oregon ques-
ton from that noble State. At the last session of
Congress she sen, to this House resolution. passed
by her legislature, in the following words
Realized That the true policy of the United States re.
qures that the Joint occupancy Of Oregon by the United
states and England Shout and resolved the title
Of the United States to the territory of Oregon clear and
indispuabe.
This was the language of that gallant State one
year ago. But, sir, Alabama has soders--citizen
soldiers-the best in the world Let British SOL
der set his foot on Alabama,s consecra,od coil o,J