The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-16

| " "s' a"'o"'i "h;hhuhg anu peace-loVlng peopl
called tluGtffs, who detest war in all its forms Blu
Notwithstanding the prejudices that my education
necessarily engendered, | have yet to learn that
can surrender any portion OF the inheritance left b.
the fathers Of the republic without dishonor an
hope am not prepared for that.
Some of our friends of the South who profess h
be for Oregon, say to US Of the West, SHE cours
! you are pursuing will lose you Oregon, and we z,
against the resolution giving the notice to TN
country for you" feel under great obi igations d
them for their kindness; but will they be so good
IN this matter at least, as to let Of the West de
ermine for ourselves what our best policy is, AM
TO pursue IL reeollect on u former occasion, wher
there was another question before this body--not
question Of extending our laws over and takn.
possession OF our own soil, but whether we shoulI
admit into the circle of our glorious Union a FREE
and gallant people, Who like our fathers had achieves
their freedom IN the hercest contests, and at IN,
point OF the bayonet-then our Southern brethren
said, this Is the golden monsni," and this is III,
approved mode. II a northern or western man
presumed to question the mode, or object TO the time
he was denounced the best interests Of
his country and suspected of secret hostility 10 the
measure. then thought this language unkind and
the suspicious unjust To longtrod and faithful friends
ana therefore VIII not repeat apply them here 70
our brethren OF the South. We went with them
then, and, might almost say, we went il blind
That great measure is now contaminated; our union
Is complete and glorious; and il now remains 10 be
seen whether our friends who then led the way
with zeal deserving of noble cause, and an en-,
ergy that knew no abatement, will al this time play
US false, and turn of with the traitors sneer II
so, shall not reproaeh them; they no doubt do
what they think their duty. But this much will
tell them, that their hesitation and opposition will
not deter US from dischsrgng our duty to our con.
sttuentS and To our country. We will enter the
breach alone, and should all but the West hang
back, she alone would feel competent to meet and
overcome every emergency and in peace they will
not rest until no flag but our own glorious stars and
stripes shall wave over every inch OF the American
soil
Some one, | believe il was the gentleman from
South Carolina, IN speaking Of the calsmilies OF
war, and the only causes that would Justify nation
in appealing to that dread tribunal said that wound
ed honor would alone justify u resort TO arms, and
compared 1t to the once common, but now Disgrace
ful, resort TO arms between private individuals 10
wipe out a stain from wounded honor. | think the
comparison bad one. DuelDg is at best but re-
sort to deadly conflict, TO crafty personal vanity or
wounded pride there is nothing national, noble,
daring or patriotic about III It's very nature or ele-
ments are false pride and base selfshness. War in
most cases, when justhable, is not to secure great
good Immediately but remotely.
II Is to break the shackles which otherwise might
bind posterty in chains too strong TO be broken
Was II TO avoid the payment Of a two-penny tax on
tea, which induced fathers TO unsheah the ord
of the revolution Or was II not rather resistance
TO that species Of legislation and policy, which, if
submitted TO, would have made themselves and their
children instruments of British tyranny and pup
pets OF British Parliament And can any sane man
compare that noble appeal to the God Of battles, to
the call one individual may make upon another to
meet him upon what is called by some the field Of
honOr-where, IN too many instances the only mon
uments left TO to mark the spot of the barbarous
conflict and TO tell OF the wrongs inflicted upon the
widow and the orphan, is the soil which drunk the
ltTtIF ~ Anho ltUa Il
neither fight duels sacrifice national rights; but
where he who falls in the defence of his country b
rights is believed to slumber in the patriots grave
Most OF those who 60 against these resolutions
say that they do not design to surrender Oregon,
but that they only wish to settle the question
peaceably. Mastery inactivity is the cry of
some Let the convention or treaty stand have
no discussion, and make no question about il noip
but encourage emigauon, push your settlers into
Oregon, and when you have strength enough there
to hold forcible possession then let il be known that
you intend to assert your rights. This to me seems
much like stealing into your own territory, taking
advantage of aetence OF peace to forfy yourselves
for war. IL this view of the subject be right, YOU
will allow ME TO say, that although may not eraciiy
comprehend what is meant by national honor. vet
feel that such policy would bring upon US ma
uona dishonor and subject 10 the charge of base
duplclty. Ii We believe that Oregon is ours we
ought to have courage enough to tell England so; and
that we intended and were prepared TO maintain our
rights there by immediate occupancy of the whole
territory after the twelve months notice shall have
been given. We owe it 10 ourselves we owe it to
the honor of our country, to tell England in plain
republican terms what we intend to do. | would
scorn to take by STEALTH or theirs by force
The giving this notice IL further objected TO for fear
1t may bring dire calamties upon our citizens in
Oregon. The gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Hun
TER predicts, that the effect of q war (Which he in
ssts will follow the giving this noticc) will be to put
a. 49,
ect them to the tomahawk and seal ng knife of the
merclless Indian Let that gentleman calm his fears
on that subject; that people will never ask you to
stain the escuchion of this government in order to
protect them from either red coat or red skin
know some of the people Of that far-o territory; with
some Of them have warmed my feet at the same
family hearth with them learned my letters in the
same log school house, and with them have passed
through Of hardship and suffering in the I'M
cultivated wilds of the West, that have fitted them
for every enterprise however hazardous, and every
danger however threatening. They went to Oregon
with their eyes open; and all they ask Of you u.s. to
unite The letters which this treaty Of Joint occupan
cy has thrown around their manly limbs. This is
all they ask at your hands; and should they fall in
asserting right to the iohole of Oregon thew will
sink, covered with honorable scars, rich legacy to
their sons who will arise to avenge their fathers
wrongs.
have been panied to hear, during this debate, al
lusion made TO the western people as a war-loving
and peace-hatng people, who delight in blood and
carnage, and who were anxious by their course to
cmbroil this country in a war. Who are those men
thus unkndly alluded to and unjustly assaed !
They sons of revolutionary sires, and spirits Of
noble daring who have cleared the way for you into
the heart of this magnificent empire. They have
gone before you like the pillar of cloud by day and
Of fire by night, rolling back the Indian Of the for
est to give passage to civilization, the waters of
the Red sea were rolled back by the Great Jehovah
to give passage to the children of Israel and how
scornfuiIy you may treat them or whatever es.
innate you may place upon them, verify believe
they are as pure and patriotic the citizens Of any
other portion Of this Union. While they are on the
frontiers where their instincts and duty lead them
upon the very soil designed by Providence as their
inheritance, they will remain in peace and quiet
giving you no trouble and making no unnecessary
demands upon your government. But warn you
from the consequences Of effort to stop their on
ward progress. Do not let the British get posses.
sion OF Oregon and block up the passes Of the
Rocky mountains against their western flight
Should you do it, and thereby turn back into the
valley Of the Great West those whose disposition
and choice it is to mngfc in border scenes Of hard
ship and suffering, you may introduce into our So
ciety an element that may tumble it into ruins, rs