The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-04


cradle strip Of land is the only portion OF Oregon on
which civilized human being can rest his foP' win
certainty that by agricultural means he can sup
port existence! have said that these are the re-
gions. The first and best is that nearest TO the
ocean; and the remarkable fact that no settlement
has been made this side Of the valley OF the
Willamette; that after entering Oregon, the en-
emlgrant travels one thousand miles before he can
find spot inviting him TO settle is pretty eonelu
siye evidence that the region Just alluded to 10 the
only portion OF the territory capable Of sustaining
civilized human life This writer goes on to say;
THE climate Of this whole region more dry than that
Of the country the Pacific the days are warm and
the nights cool but the want OF moisture
and IN ssu%ry h bS az SSs ma M
opportunity Of Judging by experience being Of
to the Pacific extends from October to April but the rains
neither frequent abundant and they rarely at
any o.hsr period o. the ys.5 I, ms farming country In
heights.
Under such circumstances will be that little en-.
coursgemen Is offered for the cultivation Of this part Of
Oregon On the other hand the plains and valleys sppesT
to be admirably adapted for the support Of cattle grass
either green or dry may be iouad all times within
short distance, on the bottom lands the hlsdss
Element as this Indispensable article can only be procured
from great distance the north branch Of the Columbia
muncaiion through t1s mountains are few and aIacu
The country farther east between the Blue mountains
few small SstsehsS .po. absolutely auinissisBis BY hose
who depend on agriculture for subsistence. is in iAc
o. ss. SS so ~. ess ,sHssd q
the melting Of the the summit for In the lower
grounds rain seldom falls a any time North Of the 10th
parallel the climate Is lsss dry and the bases Of the
tain covered with wood hut the temperature In
places too cold for the production Of any Of the useful
grains garden vegetables; the parts which appear be
the favorable Tor agrcuture adjacent ths
Clarke river and particularly around the Flsthssd Lake
Lewis and Of some Of he stream. falling into H. are valleys
TO cultivate the sseulsnt have failed chiefly as
Is believed from the great difference in the temperature
between the day and the succeeding night especially In the
summer which Is commonly less than and oiten en-
essds 80 degrees Of Fahrsnhsits thermometer
Now let US come to the next region:
The territory north Of the 10th parallel Of latitude and
northwest Of that drained by the Columbia river has been
called N- Caisdsaia by the British lurtrade. who first
established posts in II hey ond the 56th parallel In 1900 II
is ltsrl land Of snow clad mountains toruOus rser.
and lakes frozen than ohrds OF the year, pre-
senting scarcely single spot in which any Of the vegs
bles used food by civilized people be produced The
waters like those OF the country farther south, however
abound In hsh which with berries form the principal sup
port Of the native population"
Mr.. President, Il this were a question Of the
rights, honor, and liberties Of the nation, would
fight to the death even for this miserable spot If
there a clear and UNREASONABLE title on our
part and the claim Of Great Britain was totally gra-
tuitous, totally destitute Of foundation, offering an
insult to the national honor, would die for this
miserable spot before would relinqnish IT, But il
is mere question Of doubtful utility; because,
view the tile Of the United States and Great Britain
you may il is the weakest Of all titles-a title TO
distant territory inhabited by ssvages. Perhaps il
we TO reduce title TO a scale Of Christian
| Justice, we should both be found wanting, and
the right title be found in the native inhabitants OF
that country But do not make that question at
all. have no doubt OF the right Of settling and
cuuyating a country ht for cultivation by a
civilized people. But | very much question the
right Of any civilized nation to drive a savage people
| from a country which is az only 10 be inhabited by
a savage people. Why drive them OUT To cult
the country To derive wealth from the soip To
raise up a civilized community, distinguished for
agriculture and the arts You cannot attain any Of
these objects in Oregon. II appears to therefore,
Mr. President that in their present responsible posi-
ton, the Congress Of the United States are bound
not only to consider the value Of that for which
are contending, but the nature and extent of our
claims and if they do so with delbera,ion and calm
ness think il will be seen that in going to war in
this case it would be to fight for an improbable
wrong. Even if the claim be right, certainly the terri
tory is worth fighting for, unless the honor OF
the country became somehow involved in the ques-
ton. Now have said that no two countries on the
face Of the earth could do each other so much in
jury Great Britain and the United States in case
Of war between them. / will now go farther, and
say, that there has been known in the history
Of the world another instance in which two nations
were capable Of realizing for the present and pros
pectvely great advantages from the preservation OF
peace. Never since this world was formed have
there existed on the face Of il two nations who
would in that case make great a sacrifice
Of those blessings which the God Of mercy
has bestowed upon them, Great Britain and
the United States. What do we now behold on
the other side Of the Atlantic The commencement
Of a great commercial cram era such as the world
has never yet seen. Sir, no discovery ever made
no new channel Of commerce ever opened to the en-
terprise Of mankind-has produced such an increase
Of national prosperity and human happiness, will
grow out of the recent proceedings in the British
Parliament, if-as | sincerely believe they will
they should be contaminated. have great hope
that by the next steamer, will receive the intel
ligence that the measure proposed by Sir Robert
! Peel has passed the House Of Commons by such
an overwhelming majority will almost insure its
passage in the House Of Lords. lfthat measure be
adopted and the ports Of Great Britain be opened
the Il ee introduction of all the agricultural products
of this mighty land-the Indian corn the wheat, the
various Indigenous grains the cotton the tobacco--no
not the tobaccobut all these great staples Of agricul-
tura industry Iput my western friends how great
would be the sacrifice ofnerest and Of right the
part of their constituents that they should involve
in war; only temporarily suspending these advan
tages, but perhaps destroying them forever am not
one Of those who habtually portray the calamities
of war and its awful devastations, with view OF
preventing the country from maintaining its rights,
even if those ghs were not doubtful as in the pres
ent case think they are. But think the greatest OF
all errors that be committed by military chiefain
or statesman is to underrate his adversary-to
derate the disadvantages Of the war in which he
embarks He tests, if he be wse the rights which
the nation enjoys and the sacrifices which it must
make. shall be very happy to know from some
Of the friends Of this extreme latitude, $40 40 if
they believe it ia in the chapter Of possibilities to
maintain their claim and avoid war; Is there man
in this Senate who knows his own heart, when he
comes to examine fairly the English title, who
could expect from Great Britain that if maintain
{ our stubborn claim to $40 40 it will be possible to
avoid war; IL make that claim, trust in God
we may all have the frmness to die for it. II
we go TO war for cause utterly inadequate to
a war, it will be necessary that the go on till
one or the other nation be wholly subdued. Where
could it stop If we go to war for Oregon, do you
suppose that the armies of the two nations would
meet on the plains Of Oregon to fight Do you sup
pose the would be conducted for the actual cesson
Of Oregon Of course not The British would prob
ably send vessels to the mouth Of the Columbia,
and, long before we could send aid to people
there, they would be expelled. But it would not