The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-13

L
| rather suspect, sir, that the people Of Main
will not desire TO earn the epithe Of "good citizens
by cherishng grateful feelings for this abatement
/ their "extreme territorial claims" There - to'
much patriotism in their hearts TO feel grateful io
this surrender of their soil and rights. Such senti
ment is foreign TO thatov OF country aud OF justice
90 characteristic Of the American heart, and 10 do
grading and disgracefnl to the American name.
Bnt. M Chairman, the arguments which wert
all nov,cr(ul at The last session of CoDgr e5s ar
not 30 now circumstances have changed, ant
| with this change, the whole aspect of thu
question. Then there was possibility, rea
sonable hope that this question could be amicably
setted by negotiation. Now we have the message
Of the Pre- sdent Of the United States and we have
the correspondence between Mr.. Buchanan, and Mr.
Calhoun, and the British minister on this subjeet
and from these authentic sources we learn that No
further negotiations win I've had in relation 10 this
matter. They have long Gince ceased; and we are
now fully convinced that nothing can be expected
from that mode Of duStment How, then, standi
the case! what course does IL now become necessary
for 10 pursue' can see but which is likely
to secure the desired ond. Why, even these very
gentlemen who oppose The passage Of this resolu-
lion with so much zeal and fury are willing that we
should take possession up to 49oi and yet they ore
sfeid ~ wur " ~s aisa abs Eotice, Wei, put
thisqueslion To the gentleman from Virginia, Mr.
BAYLY,l who spoke a few days ago, and whose
speech has been the subject of much severe crlti-
eism in this hall. lie IL willing to sustain our
claims up 10 400 and pass the notice to that et-
feet. Now, let me ask him, where is the offer Of
Great Britain to assent To this compromised She
has never made any offer Of the kind, but has uni
formy refused 10 accede To such proposition. We
have offered 49o, but she refused IT, And yet gen.
temen, who easily alarmed at the prospect Of
war we should assert our Just claims 10 the whole
Of Oregon, ore willing to enforce them to portion
as obstinately claimed by England IA that north Of
the 49th degree. Ii appears, them that these gen.
temen arc willing to endanger the peace of the two
countries for a small portion of the territory, when
the taking possession of the whole could produce no
worse consequences. contend that we may rs
well fight for a whole loaf as a crumb. II would
seem, then, that these gentlemens only object is 10
'abate something of our extreme territorial claims
on the northwest" and therefore confne in mar
row limits possible the action of our glorious IN
stituiions.
MR. LEAKE was understood to say that he was
not for the notice, whether took after il up to
age, or 10 $40 4V.
MIR. SAWYER continued. Well, some Of the gen.
temen have been in favor of the notice, and for
suming jurisdiction to some extent-wllng to give
the notice, and take forcibe possession up to 400
Does not the same difficulty arise here il took
up to $40 40? It must, or ese the English will
back out; and If You go to fighting for it from the
mouth Of the Columbia TO ago might you not as
well include the whole, and fight for III | think So
IL We believe the country to be ours, let us take
possession of it, and let MS defend and keep it at all
hazards.
Sir, there is a branch of the subject shall now
proceed to notice, and which think worthy of at
tentive consideration. The gentleman from Virg inia
the "lone STAR referring to Mr.. PEHDLEroN)-
employs the very same language in reference 10 the
Oregon country used by the old federal party in its
better days, in relation to other parts of the country,
which have now become the homes OF prosperous
millions mean the country Included within the
Louisiana purchase, now forming the hourishlng
States of Louisiana. Missouri, and Arkansas, and
other valuable territory. What then the OBJ
lection to the acquisition Of that extensive region?
Why 1t was then said II was worth nothing, as the
gentleman now says Of the Oregon territory.
Mr. PESpLEToN understood to inquire by
whom it was said that the Louisiana purchase was
worth nothing
Mr.. SAWYER, | did not propose TO go into a full
history of that purchase. ] merely mention this
fact TO show how much old federalism and young
federalism alike, and how well versed in the ar
guments of the former the friends of the latter.
But will tell you little more Of the language used
in reference to this great and important measure.
II was said there were abgators enough on the
land to fence it, and that the land itself was not
worth having. And the gentleman now seys of
Oregon that it is not worth the paper upon which the
bill is printed; and take it that the gentleman who
the same language in relation to Oregon ter
rory now, belongs 10 The same party that made this
declaration in reference to the Louisiana purchase
anu 10 udt VINE iHc language uSeu III
times gone by in relation to the acquisition of vaua
BILE territory; that is the language used now, and it
will be the language used by that party whenever
attempt to erect new States, or organize or ac-
quire new territories, where our freedom sons can
find field of promise for their industry and enter
prise New countries are the natural brth-places OF
free thoughts and noble sentiments; here, there is no
sycophancy, no base cringing to superior wealth or
power. And am led to suspect that the strongest
reason, though not openly avowed, which actuates
certain gentlemen in this opposition to the measure
now under discussion, is that the territory in ques-
ton will soon form title galaxy Of democratic
States. All our new States are democratic. II well
accords with the intrepid spirit Of the democrat
to encounter and conquer the difficulties which new
and fertile regions present. and to turn to usefulness
their idle rivers and slumbering soil. Well, sir,
Oregon is of immense value to US, and it matters
whether we fight for it now or hereafter. prefer
to bear portion Of the burden myself | prefer
leaving to my children and posterty clear title,
free from all membranes; and, Mr.. Chairman, if
assertion ofour rights, and the taking possession
of our own, are to be followed by declaration OF
war by England /, for one, say let it come do
not fear the consequences Of with that power,
and shall myself be found among the foremost in de-
fence of my country, not in words only but in acts.
have said, and now repeat it, that will vote for
this resolution even should it have the tendency
which some gentlemen contend 1t will have OF has
tening rupture with Great Britain; and the very
moment England declares war will resign my scat
on this floor, and take my stand among my constit
uents to fight for my own Preside and my country's
rights. | stand pledged to do it, and will do it.
1t matters not when this war comes; for come it
must, if You give the British possession all around
us. How stands the case nowI TO to your eastern
seaboard, and you will find her possessions all
around you; and she is now trying to encircle you
| on the west.
In this manner we have given England every
power to cripple and annoy us; and it is our own
fault that she now enjoys these facilities. She is
endeavoring to widen her possessions and strength
EN- her power at those very points which will render
her most troublesome. have called this continent
an island; and, though it is pretty large one, we
need il all, and must have ii. Our safety and secu-
rity demand it; our interests demand III the cause
of humanity demands it, and the growth Of demo.
cratic principles demand it; and these demands
shall and must be complied with. Great Britain
would find great trouble in disturbing us three thou.
sand miles o-as, in her proper sphere, she s-fshe
had no possessions upon this little island of ours;
but having 80 many possessions all around us, and
in our immediate neighborhood, she has resting
places where she run in for supplies, reht her
ships and even build them. She can thus supply
with all the q pTOtrace ted