True Democrat., 1846-03-04
By o. O. Doase.

SEEA"hA, " uSSSStppl, on me DUE pT0CL'
dung tor tie augmentation Of the Nary.
waive further remark here TO examine
more probable grounds of rupture in the exter-
nal policy of our country. And now, Mr.. Pre-
sident, let us direct our attention to our relation
with Great Britain. 1t is said, and has been
frequently repeated upon this floor, and | must
confess that have heard it with pain, that we
are on the brink of "a war with Great Britain
Is this uue2 | put it to the good sense of sen.
atoms, and | ask them to answer the question
Has anything occurred on the part of Great
Briiain-anylhing in the complexion of the re-
cent news from that communicating war
like feeling towards the United States? Is it
not directly the reverse2
If senators will regard the question with calm
ness and dispassion, throwing aside those heat
ed feelings and impusive determinations which
temporary excitement may have aroused in the
mind feel satisfied that they will find the
path to honorable and peaceful settlement of the
Oregon question yctunobscured by Great Br
tain. The late news from England is of paci.
fic nature. The failure on the part of Lord
John Russell to form a cabinet arose from the
fact that he was about to place Lord Palmerston
at the head Of the department Of foreign affairs.
PaImcrston, it is well known. entertained hos.
tile feelings towards this country md stood ful-
~ committed on the Oregon question On that
very ground, Lold Grey refused to 60 into the
cabinet Wei, does all this prove nothing?
Are gentlemen so blind, so eager and thirsty af.
ter war, that they can shut their eyes to events
so significant as these? must confess that |
was rcjoiccd when heard the intelligence to
which have alluded-whCn | saw that the
whig ministry, as it is called failed to form a
cabinet, and on the grounds which have stat
ed; aud particularly was | rejoiccd at the sup
pressed tone oftLe British press | consoled
myself with the reflection, that, so far as Great
Britain played her part, there was bat little
prospect Of war LIT me tell senators that l
am as much opposed TO croucdiag 10 the Brit
ISL lion as any Of them and am as resolutely
determined to maintain atall hazards our rights;
aud when am assured of their violation, will
be prompt and ready to vindicate them as be- |
comes the standing and character ofthis great
nation Not only would vote declaration
Of war; but millions upon millions to defend an
insultcd right But take this occasion to say,
in my place that am a PEACE man. am
for peace if il can be honorabiy maintained and
no vote Of mine shall ever be given on this floor
tending to couniCnance an unnecessary war.
Gentlemen may talk lightly oflhis thing called
WAR 1t is a fine theme for oritorical display.
Il isa capital subject for rhetorical effort But
to the millions from whom the taxes are wrung
to support a war, it is a matter Of very different
import | feel il my duty to protect the rights
ofthe tax payers, and ifno higher cousidcra-
ton influenced me, it would be sufficient that
these taxpayers have stood By me at the ballot.
box-havo clothed me with their power, and
rcposod in me their responsibilities.
The people, Mr. President, whom hnvethc
honor to represent will never consent to mca-
sure our national honor by dollars aud cents.
Yet, sir. if | know that people, they are equally
opposed 10 an appeal to arms to adjust aud set
tie our difficulties with foreign nations, when
the same can be accomplished by peaceful and
honorable negotiation. No honest man can be
so blind rs to desire war, with all lis calamties,
il il can be honopbly avoided Sir, your Pre-
sidcnt is not Tor war; he is for peace, as his
whole conduct in this transaction proves lie
has offered the most liberal terms Of comPro-
mise, which hops may yet be acccdod to. l
10 Tor sustaining him in bis efforts to settle this
controversy.
Il is said, Mr. President, as before remark.
Cd. that we arc 10 have n war With Great Bri-
tain 10 soule our rights in the Oregon territory.
Whyl What !. the Oregon territory. aud where
il ID As am not speaking particularly TO
YOU. but through the Senate 10 my constituents,
I will refer to the geographical portion OF tbs
territory. tits a strip Of land lying bdwe'n
the Rocky mountains and The Pacific OCEAN,
AMI extending hom latitude - degrees 70 -
drsrers & 40 minutes, blirg distant some three
thousand miles from tbo United States Well,
this territory is sUpposodtO be ours Has Great
Britain marched a military force there and Ia
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