The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-19

promise and war, l without hesitation take thu
former. Ia making the choice, | aetuated BY
no unmanly fear OF the consequences OF war.
know that in the existing state OF the world, war
ace necesaarythat the siost sacred regard for jus
tlce and equity. and the cautious policy, can
not always prevent them. When war must come
4 may appeal 10 my past history TO prove thai
shall not be found among those who may falter bal
shall take care never TO contribute by my acts to
precipiiate the country into war, when Il can be
fairly avoided. | am, on prneiple opposed 10 war,
and IN favor OF peace, because regard peace as
| positive good, and war "a positive evil. As a
good, shall ever cling 10 peace, so long as il can
be preserved consistently with the safety and the
honor Of the country and az opposed to war, |
shall ever resist H. so long az IL may be resisted
sIstently with the same considerations. | am en-
Phatiesly opposed TO IL in ths ease because peace
IN my opinion, can be preserved consistently with
both, and war avoided without sacrificing either.
am opposed To il for the additional reason because
| Il would be, in my opinion, highly impotie--a
| consideration never TO be overlooked when a
question Of the kind is under consideration. re-
| gard IL as highly impoliuc in this case, because
believe that, should we resort to t. we would lose,
instead of securing, the two objects for which II
would BE- avowedly declared, as 4 shah now pro-
| coed to show. .'... ..- ~. e.. go. =.
The FIST is, TO secure what is claimed to be our
rights to the whole Of Oregon, under the cry Of
that none is much more probable than ''aii" In
coming TO this conclusion, eoncede to my country.
men the highest bravery, energy, patriotism, and
intelligence, which be claimed for them. But
these cannot overcome the great obstacles which
we would have to encounter compared % what Great
Britain would have in contest for Oregon. As
long she has u large force IN the East, and re-
mains mistress OF the Pacific, she will be able 10
place there a much more efficient force, and at far
less expense, than possibly can at present, which
would there decide the contest in her favor.
But il otherwise, from the nature Of the con-
test, Oregon, though the cause Of the war would be
speedily forgotten. The struggle once begun would
soon cease to be for Oregon. Higher and far more
powerful motives would soon guide the contest.
Il would speedily become a struggle for mastery
between the great 81 power in the world on one side
against the most growing on the other. Aetuated
by all the feelings belonging 10 such a struggle,
both sides would put forth all their yigor energy
and resources, and, overlooking minor points, would
aim TO strike the most vulnerable point and where
each might have the greatest advantage, leaving Ore
gon 20 be won or lost the contingencies OF so
mighty a contest might decide.
The next objeet, az Is alleged, is 10 protect our
citizens in Oregon. What has just been said is
enough to prove how utterly il must fail Instead
OF protection, war would most certainly saeri-
Ace them; and that is strong reason, with me,
for opposing IL. l feel our obligation to prots~t
them az citizens, and brethren, and kindred. We
have encouraged them to emigrate, and will not
give vote which, in my opinion, would ruin and
abandon them. But what war would fail to effect,
would be certainly accomplished by compromise on
the line offered by the President There are none
Of our citizens, il am correctly informed, settled
north OF 49,. Establish that line, and we OF once
give our citizens in Oregon peace and security, and
with them fuH opportunity to realize their object in
ENGRAVING. -.r-, ....e H. r-.v-.-. ~. .-. ~ .
Bot passing from Oregon, take broader ground,
far looL III Ill.
lsse nothing to hope from war, be its result what
it may On the contrary, believe that the most
successful and triumphant war that could be waged
lone in which all would be accomplished which
its most extravsgant advocate could dare hope
for--n which we should conquer the Canadas,
New Brunswick, and Nova Sso,ia-in which we
should drive the British flag from the continent,
and compel Great Britain TO yield the whole by
treaty in the short period OF years. would be dis
astrous to us. alude not to its ravages and de.
vasiations-to the oceans Of blood that must flow
and the manifold losses and miseries which would
accompany the war They are common 10 all wars;
but however wildly painted they have but little eff
feet in lettering brave people from resort to it.
No doubt these infections would be very great in
contest between two nations Of such immense pow.
er and situated TO be able to do each other the
greatest harm in and the greatest, good in peace
But as great a. the devastation and destruction of
life would be in such a struggle they are Of ma
ture TO be speedily repaired on our side. The in
domitable industry and enterprise Of our people.
with the great resources Of the country would seon
repair the former while rapidly increasing pop
ulaton would speedily repair the latter. War has
far heavier caamties for free people than these,
though less vsible-calamues in their nature not
easily remedled. | refer to permanent and ,nger-
Gus social and political changes, which often follow in
its train in the character of the people and their n
sutons. A war between US and O. Britain, such
has been described, in which every nerve and
Gle on either side would be strained TO the utmost
and every dollar put in requsition which could be
commanded, could not fail, under present circurn-
stances to work most disastrous, and fear ncura-
bic changes in the social conduon Of our people
and in their political institutions. To realize the
consequences in this respect, which must follow it
is necessary look to the immense extent to which
it would rage. 1t would, IN all probility, prove
Mexican and an Indian war, as well as war with
Great Britain, and as such would extend to every
portion Of our entire frontier including the Atlantic
and the Pacific, the inland and exterior constituting
a circuit Of probably not less than 1000 miles. Il
would require, in order to conduct IL with the ener-
gy necessary to bring it in so short time to the
successful termination supposed, especially in war
for mastery, immense exertions on land and water.
Two navies--one on the Atlantic and the other on
the lakes--and six or seven armies would be re-
qured for the purpose, even on the supposiiion
that Oregon would be abandoned. One army would
be required on the Mexican frontier and let no one
sheer III tHe HicitiOH VI SUCH poWeT. reeDe as
now il, when paid and supported by British gold,
and trained and commanded by British officers,
Mexico would prove formidable enemy. See
what British skill and training have made Of the
BILE Sepoys. The Mexicans are hraver and a
harder people, and, what in no small point, would
constitute the cheapest Of all armies. There must be-
in addition one guard the gulf frontier another to
guard the southern; another the northern frontier on
the Atantic another to assail the northeastern from
tier on the side Of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick
another to assai the Canadian and finally another to
protect our widely extended Indian frontier. All
these in mighty struggle against the greatest Of
all powers, putting forth her utmost strength would
require force, including the two navies, of not
less, would suppose, than 100000 men continual.
ly in pay. The expense would be enormous. One
ofthe venerable and experienced Of citizens
Mr.. Gallstin, has estimated il at IS or 10 millions
of dollars annually, il my memory serves me. My
impression ia that falls far short Of the actual cost
and that 500 900 900 would not be an over estimate
Surprising the sum Of $50 000,0 900 could be annu-
ally raised by taxation-a sum far greater than he
Inmates, and in my opinion much beyond what
could be effected-it would leave $50, 900 900 annu
ally to be raised by loans, forced paper circu.
Lii 4. r.