Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-12
A PROMISING YOUTH.
Lore, Patriotism, Valor, Eloouenee

A Mr.. Leonard III. Simms, who appears as one
of the representatives in Congress from Missouri,
and who halls Ito quote his own language) 'from
the Western frontier of Missouri in the region
nearest the Oregon Territory has been edifying
Congress and enlighlening the world, by dis
play of his genius at speech-making. The SUBJ
ject was Oregon, and Leonard swent it blind for
the whole or none.' His speech is reported in
the Washington Union, and we take the liberty
of extracting few paragraphs for the enlighten-
ment of our readers.
The first extract we shall give, contains the
announcement of the important fact (Which the
whole world will be rejoced TO hear) that Mr..
Leonard III. Simms ioues Ills country! The COM
mencement of this first love- affair of his and
the circumstances attending it, are announced in
the following modest and unaffected style:
When was hoy, sir-a small boy-in 1915
was with my father at church, where he was
Offering his prayers to the Almighty, and it was
then that the news Of the victory of New Orleans
was brought to the spot. never felt SO happy,
SIR, as at shat moment. At that moment nv
love oil country commenced, and from that hour
IL has Increased moro and more every year; and
shall be ever ready TO peril every thing in my
power for the good OF my country.
We are delighted to hear it. Oh, happy coun-
try, to be blessed with such loper as Leonard
Fl. Simms!
But notwithstanding his inexpressbe and
constantly increasing love of country, Mr.
SImms finds room in his affections for othe.
worldly objects. He tells Congress that he has
wife and children, (happy man y and that he
loves them, too. Listen
L have wife and children, and / love them
with all the heart and SOu1 IL
one can love his family more than do mine, I'M
less stronger intellect may give him more
strength of affection; and my family will be ex-
posed TO The merciless savages, who will, as ever,
become the allies of Great Britain in any war;
They will be exposed to the horrors of the toma.
hawk and scalping-knife. But still, sir, NY peo-
pie on the frontier will press on to the mouth OF
the Columbia, and fight for Oregon. am moi
sure but I aOiN go myself.
No! Well, if Sir Robert Peel should happen
TO hear that Mr.. Leonard ii. Simms thought of
going out to fight for Oregon himself, we have no
doubt 'the whole would be instantly yielded.
But on the point of ualor he furnishes some
thing better and more conclusive than the above.
Read the following:
1t was said that the route to Oregon was i'm
practicable, and that it was beset with dangerous
enemies, and that could not send troops over
to Oregon, nor provisions 10 feed them. Now,
sir, we OF Missouri can fit out ten thousand wa.
gon loads of provisions for Oregon at any time
and ten thousand wagon boys to drive them who,
with their wagon whips, will beat and drive of all
the British and Indians that they find in their
way.
There, Mr.. John Boll--put that in your pipe
and smoke it! But&e of the South need have
no anxiety on the subject Of war. Let it come.
Captain Simms with his Missouri boys will
drive off the British forces with wagon 1vlips
OREGON is OURS!
We have given specimens Of Mr.. Simms'
lore and UaiOr as narrated by himself. Now fol
his eioguence. Get your handkerchief ready, res-
der, before you commence upon the sublime and
| affecting peroration. All ready? Now for it
The more you cry out, 'war, war, we are in
danger of war; the stronger they will 90 for
Oregon. They were not 10 be thus inundated
The western people had tried their valor on the
| plains of New Orleans; and if the venerated pa
/ triot who now sleeps in peace and honor in the
shades Of the Hermitage--he who refused to be
! buried in the tomb of king-could be permitted
| to give us his advice, he would say, go for Ore.
gon, and for the whole Of Oregon l must be
excused, Mr.. Speaker, for speaking Of one who
was my friend, one in whose mansion was
when child, an inmate, who often, when / wa:
sleeping, has drawn the covering over me-
| From that neighborhood I emigrated, with my
wife and children, to the frontiers Of Missouri
exposed to those Indians who are west of the
Mississippi.
| What a lucky thing it was that Squire Smmt
emigrated to the frontiers Of Missouri! Had h,
remained among civilized men he would neve
have had an opportunity Of going to Washing
ton at the public expense. His love for hi,