The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-08-04

81 a. in the other case. we ought to &C
u,,erlv irresnecivc OF the legislation o.
Great B-itain--that we ought to act only
IN reference to the general good Of the
great body Of the American people, Ia
King no heed of what may be said or done
on the other side OF the water, but acting
uniformly in that spirit of independence in
which our fathers acted when they decla-
red .heir independence.
Mr. Webster rose 10 reply; but
Mr.. Bag5y, inierposing, inquired what
question there was before the Senate!
The Presiding Officer. 1t isa motion
to print the papers presented by the Sen
sior from Pennsylvania.
hfr, Bagby. Then there is question.
Mr.. Webster. Certainly. / was a.
bout to remark, Mr.. President, that as far
as / understand the remarks of the honor
able Senator from Ohio they do not ap-
pear to me to be marked by that strong
logical deduction which he generally sue
ceeds in presenting his arguments before
the Senate. The gentleman seems 10 sup
pose that it is important, by what means
we have news from England, whether it
comes by the steamer, or whether it is
felegraphed from Boston. | should hard
ly have supposed that the gentleman
would attribute to the mode of convey
ance any thing more than the idea of the
rapidity with which it was conveyed, and
that the substantial thing was the lnforma-
ton of the declaration of that distinguish
cd man, the late first Minister in Eng
land, that the eyes of all England are turn
ed at the present moment TO the proceed
ing of Congress upon this tariff subject.
Mel, il this be SO; it is because ,he peo-
pie of England having an interest in the
question. Now, sir, the honorable Sen
ator seems to think that received news
from England upon the Oregon question
with very different feelings. Undoubted-
ly did. There was then national
question pending between England on the
one side and ourselves on the other; and,
as my sincere desire was for peace, | felt
anxious to know if the progress offeel-
ing in England were such that we might |
expect termination of the controversy,
peaceably and honorably to ourselves
That was an international matter; it was
a question we could not settle ourselves
alone; and confess that waited for each |
arrival with some anxiety, because / de-
sired peace; because | anxiously looked
ior the moment when that condition of
things should exist between England and |
ourselves which has not existed since the
passage Of the stamp act-that is. state |
oi peace with no cause of quarrel exist
ing; for, from the time of passing the
stamp act until sahe fifteenth day of June |
last We have never been without some
cause Of controversy with England; and
/ desired 10 see the last of these matters
settled. have had the qualification of
seeing it settled. IL have had the gratif-
cation OF seeing the relations between. the
two countries placed upon permanent
basis OF friendship, peace and harmonious
intercourse.
Now, is there any analogy between that
case, in which had desire to know
the feelings of the British Government
and people, and this, which is question
OF domestic policy, in which we are bound
exclusively to consult the interests of our
own people, and in which England has no
right whatever 10 interfere? Sir, this is
an American question; and | can only say
that it does seem to me that, if some men
in this country had had their opinions up
on American policy, upon our own do
mesic policy, as much quoted and prais-
ed as the opinions of some others have
been, preludlce-nay, a general clamor
raised against then, as being in some
sort submissive to British interests; as
being desirous of placing our own inter-
ests secondary TO those of Great Britain.
l DO not impute such desire to anv one;
but my honorable colleague the other dav
truly said 1t was question of preference
TO be given TO English laber or American
labor-a question of preference between
English employment and American en-
ployment. Well, then, do not say that
when, in the pendency Of such a question
here within these walls, there comes one
voice from England, and another and We
~ loud voice from Pennsylvania, from
the laboring classes of this. community
do say it is an extraordinary coniunc-
ture of circumstances; and am sure the
no lorabie Senator from Ohio will think
ihaIlt is SO. l repeat, in this proceeding,
| accuse uobody-far from it--of having
any disposition to postpone the interests
of hls own country under heaven. But
must speak of measures according to their
aracler and tendency. And in ques-
uons between Us and our manufacturing
rivals, we cannot shut our eyes and ears
TO what we see and hear of the opinions
ofthose rivals. / do not wish at this time
to pursue these observations; another and
more fitting opportunity viii be afforded
me.
Mr.. Speight said he believed the hour
had arrival far tho Il