Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1846-02-05
SPEECH OF MIR. BEDINGER,
or VIRGINIA,

: n dc hoGse II Representatives, a7sncrv I5 1sa
ii On the usscluticn authorizing the President
give the notice for The termination Of tie ioi
i occupancy Of the Oregon territory,
* The Hcr9e beiugIin Committee Of the Who
! on The State Of the Union, Mr. BEDiNGER !
dressed the committee As follows, 4
Mf. CnAIHNAss The magnitude and great in
Poftance Of the question at present under disca
sion, the intense interest manifested 81 the who
country IN its progress and IN its decision. and Is
very able manner 10 which il has been treated d
fhosf who have already participated IN lie al.
hesitancy e
i But il is due to those whom 1 have the homo
t9represen, as wei as to myself, that, before n
copding my vote upon 4 question Of such maanI
tude and grave importance, i should render rea
son for the vote shall give, and for the course q
conduct ! shall deem it my duty TO pursue
therefore respectfully solicit the attention OF Iii
COMMITTEE whilst, in as brief manner as poss;
bly, can, proceed 10 state the causes which hay,
influenced me, and led my mind to that conclusion
at which it has arrived
confess, sir, that this question has been to M
one Of exceeding perplexty, doubt, and difficulty
and, although have succeeded in convincing m,
own mind as to the course which il is proper thai
this House and this country should pursue in re.
gard to it--although Ihave found reasons amply
satisfactory to- my own judgement, vet am
far from believing or hoping that shall have the
ability or good fortune TO convince others-in this
hall at least-that my Judgement has not led me
INTO false positions and dntenable ground. That
this question should appear, to one of my small
experience, difficult and berplexing, should notex-
cite the wonder Of any person. For older, and
wiser, and morecxperienced headsthan mine have
been much puzzled by it, consideration, and many
an anxious hour IF panlnl hisitation has it occa-
stoned those who have most carefully examined il,
and are most familiar with IT,
We have, on the other hand, the mastery view
of the subject taken by the Executive in that I'd.
mirable state paper, his annual message, and
doubtless the weghtof his opinion and recon-
mendation is, as indeed it should be, very sensi
bly, felt both here and elsewhere. The opinion OF
the Executive is sustained and strengthened by
the beautiful and invincible reasoning of the Sc
cretary Of State, who BY the triumph which he
has achieved over the British deplomatist, has
convinced the world the rational and impartial
world at least--that the claims of his country are
founded in truth and Justice, and cannot be over
thrown by sophistry or fraud. This opinion IS
moreover, by many able heads and pa
triotic hearts, both here and elsewhere-by noble
and gallant spirits, who seem already to be pant
ing for an opportunity to hurl the gauntlet TO our
naughty opponent and rival, and challenge her at
once to moral combat; and | confess, sir, that
when reflect uponthe over bearing and domineer-
ing spirit Of Great Britain, feel as much disro,ed
IS any one else possibly can, TO raise my voice
than mine, when the wrongs and aggressions Of
that relentless power are arryed before me. Ne
vertheless, sir, must be allowed TO express the
fear that it has been with others as it was at first
with nfyself-theyF have suffered their patriotism
to Obscure their judgements, and their indignation
against Great Britain to hurry them into line Of
conduct not the most polite, and not the most
wise For myself sir, having the character at
home, (and fear elsewhere also,) of being rather
hot-headed have felt little afraid Of surrender
ing myself wholly to the impulses Of my nature in
this natter and exertng myself to the utmost to
subdue myJbelgerent spirit, have succeeded in
arriving al the conclusion, that although Great
Britain richly deserves from us thorough drub-
binr, vet she can afford to wait for it awhile, Gt
will come in time, sir--it win come in time, and
we can afford to postpone the infection Of it at
least for the present And for this reason, among
others, do not think il polite or wise, al tis mo
nrent, to throw down the gauntlet to her by so
suddenly dissolving the present existing state Of
affairs between her and ourselves in our disputed
territory.
ICt US lOOh NJ tufS INNseaOh " -
can possibly do so, calmly and dispassonately.--
know that gentlemen generally use these words
bv way Of preface to the fercest outbursts and
most impassioned appeals. But would respect
fully beg gentlemen 10 calm themselves, and look
carefully at this question. First, then, will
cheerfuily admit that the man who now doubts
that our title to the tsole Of Oregon is, against
Great Britain, "clear and unquestonable," must
| be cursed by nature with remarkable stupidity
| OF he must be blinded BY ignorance andprejudice
EIf any such person there be, refer him to the
correspondence between the Secretary Of State
and the British minister. If that does not con
vince him, give him upin despair. 1t would 81
| presumption in me TO attempt to satisfy such
judgement. And this is all, sir, that intend L
say upon this part the subject. Oregon is our
every acre, every poor rood OF it--and we mus
and we ,ciH have il. There is another fact equal
'lly clear and unqnestonable as the one Just ad
lmitted-aan automatic fact in the words Of tn
/ gentleman from Georgia, Mr.. CoBB, and one a
little to be questioned as the former-and that il
that this great territory is Of such immense valu
and Importance to the Union, that we would de
serve to be regarded as idiots by the civilizc
world, if we should suffer any portion of It to b
wrested from us by any power upon earth. n
gentleman can possibly desire these facts to b
more broadly and clearly admitted than am wi
ling to admit them And, sir, it is for these yer
reasons-on account Of these yery-facts, thus &C
mitted-because Oregon IS ours-because "
should not surrender one pound Of Oregon cart
one rock, one pebble, one tree, or one shrub-ths
III cannot, for the life Of me, perceive the wisdoI
OF terminating thus abruptly and hastily, the col
yention between this country and Great Brital
in regard to that territory. And II had an
weight or any influence here or elsewhere-if
did not know that the poor words which shall e
cane INV lips win fall cold and dead on the unhee'
inc ears OF those around me, to be forgotten eve
before the echoes Of my voice shall have died
this hall--if were not discouraged by this a.
prehension, / would, with all the earnestness ~
: all the sincerity Of my nature, call upon tho
who so zealousIy advocate il, and implore them
pause before pushing this policy to the extreme
lthey ieopardise or defeat the very object they ha
!, in view. Sir, how should q grave and deliber
tive BODY, such rs this House should be. act up
matter Of such vital Importance What b
: Of policy should great nation such as onrs, pu
sne n Z crisis such Is this7 beg that M
| not Be- deemed presumptuous, If dare e suggs
. what occurs to my poor judgement, a. the Wise
!. course we could possibly purspe.
First. then, this thing should stop where It ig
: Not another word should b spoken-not anoth
e effort at compromise or negotiation attempted
. The negotiations have ceased, they are dead.
tfust should remain, nerer again to be revive
If anv propoSifion shonld hereafter come frt
Great Britnin---if she should now oder to take