Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-02-26

snOuld not mySeH nave proposed IL would have
waited until the presence of the British subjects
Oregon, and their enjoyment Of their privileges secured
by treaty had become uncomfortable to our people.
The British always professed that they valued the
territory merely for Its commercial privileges and for
nothing else, and We have right to take them at their
word BY giving the notice, II seems to me, we
make quasi admission that we have not a right to
take the steps above alluded to without first giving
the notice. These my opinions, and / not
prepared yet to renquish them; but the President has
had the subject under his eye, and has given TO it
much attention. He recommends the notice, and il
may, and probably will, turn out that he right In
where practical principle is involved, and
where the question presented is of expediency
merely, will sustain my party friends, and the ad
mlnistratiOn created by Them IL you ask why will
do this will say that it is necessary in order to
harmonic our party and that il is the only way to
keep our Wing friends beaten. But have another
reason for going for the notice-that instructed
positively by my constituents to go for it. There Is
not one Democrat, and but very few Wings, among
my constituents who would not unite in instructing
me to that effect.
Some gentlemen say that they will not vote for the
notice for fear IL should result In a Some have
said that the notice will be, per of war
But the British negotiators considered that 1t
would be cause of war. How 1t possible that
those who framed the Convention could have provided
for the notice. if il was to be the cause ola war But
others say that it is of war, and that the
contrary it will hasten adjustment of the question
and that is probably fair view of the subject Some
say that it will irritate Great Britain-that it will
wake her up, and alarm the Hudson Bay Company,
because it threatened their valuable privileges, and
induce them to strengthen themselves in Oregon.
For the sake of peace would yield the British sub
jects their present commercial privileges for good
time to come; but this would be on condition of
full recognition of right TO Oregon; and would
sustain the President in making such treaty after
the notice given.
But admit that the notice may tend to war, and
very probably lead to it when it shall be carried
by the adoption of for taking possession of
the territory, and practically asserting rights by
establishing Territorial Government, granting lands
to settlers and controlling the Indian tribes. But
shall this prevent US from asserting our title! Is
that the attitude of the American people! Shall
look the waters, and ask Great Britain whether
we shall be allowed to take possession of our own
soil, on our own continent OF course she would
answer, No. In my opinion sir, we shall, at the end
of the year, if not before, take possession of Oregon
and that may bring the matter to the issue of
think so, because believe that the pretence Of Great
Britain that she wanted Oregon merely for hunting
ground is false but that she places the highest value
on it account of its commercial facilities Great
Britain had always been alert in improving her COM
with barbarous nations, for commerce was
more profitable
The Indian traders, Is it was well known in our
country, always reaped rich harvess. Great Britain
knows the value of Oregon and believe that she will
fight for it and | know that the American people
will fight for it. The harbOrs of Oregon, fronting
barbarous world afford admirable facilities for carry
ing trade; and barbarous nations are always the
best customers of civilized people. Northern Oregon
would always be manufacturing country, for it
abOunded in water power. California will afford vast
quantities Of cotton for the supply of Oregon
factories, and there is difficulty in the navigation
between Oregon and California And so great is the
supply of ship timber which Oregon furnishes, that
more than half the ships Of the world will in forty
no huflt in he Of hat
The harborS of Pugets sound will afford naval sta
tons, and through them would soon command the
whole commerce Of the Pacific; without them, Oregon
would not be worth a straw to u.s. for there were no
good harbors south of Pugets sound, and the major
part of commercial and ship-building facilities are
north of latitude 40 deg.
My doctrine is, to 90 ahead and assert our rights
and to the results, not to stop calculate them
will at least utter no boasful calculations the
results. Let not him who putteth on his armor
boast himself he WHO putteth 1t off, Even if we
were certain that the results Of would be at
first adverse to us, yet should vote for the notice.
and the other measures consequent upon 1T. We may
safely put our trust IN the justice of and In
the kind protection of divine Providence, and the
struggle end like our former wars-in glorious
triumph, and in the diffusion of our principles.
The day will come when every interest and every
party that is opposed TO Oregon viii crumbe into
dust. have heard some speculatons upon the con-
sequences of our extension Of territory and of the
annexation of the Mexican and other States to our
Union | do not want any mixed races In Union
nor men of any color except white unless they be
slaves. Certainly, not voters Legislators. Ny
constituents will consent that their representa-
tive in this hall should hold political discussion with
the honorable colored member from Mexico. They
know that this would lead to a political strife for
ascendancy between coors, ending revolution and
blood.
If Mexico after going through half dozen more
revolutions should become capable of selfgovernment
and apply for annexation, would vote against ii,
unless her colored races should come in as slaves
be otherwise excluded from political privileges My
constituents cannot agree to admit coOred men to the
exercise of the right of suffrage; and they cheerfuy
acqulesce in the representative basis which the Const
tuition has provided for the saveholdng States In
dependent States, composed of white people tho
roughly imbued with our principles of self-gOvern-
ment we will receive into our Union at their own
request; but even them do not wish into
our Union, or to annex by conquest. If we find a
stray INDEPENDENCE floating about, and wanting pro-
lection, will take it in. When the volcano, Sleep
ing In the bosom of the British empire shall burst
forth, and Canada shall be Topped off, it might be
question whether it shall be annexed to Union.
Should conquer it, we will give it back to Great
Britain; for do not wish to annex her loyal Scotch
and English people. Her Irish and French inhabi- |
tants | might be willing to unite with; but it would
take fifty years TO learn the Scotch and English of
Canada un-Americanized by association, the princi
pies of our free institutions.
The Irish make good citizens. They take to liberty
naturally. Pat is American from the word go.
If Canada should ever become Independent and capa
bic of sefgovernment and apply for annexation, we
will think of it. But would annex any part of the
world where the American people go and settle, and
form communities. We have done so, and we will
dc it again.
This, sir, (said Mr.. w, is progressive question.
III