The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-22
SPEECH
OF
Hon. William Allen, of Ohio,
DELIVERED

non. Wllllam Allen, OF Ohio.
... DELIVERED
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,
FEBRUARY 10 AND II, 1916.
On our relations with England-being
the opening Speech pending the
Oregon Nolice.
The Joint Resolution for giving the
notice to terminate the convention
between the United States and Great
Britain, relative to the Oregon ter.
ritory, being under consideration
Mr.. ALLEN said:
Mr.. PREslDENT: 1t is MOI sixty-nine
years since these States declared them
selves to be "absoved from all allegi-
ance to the British Crown" and to be
" free and Independent States" 1t is
now sixty-three years since Great Bri-
tain, by a solemn treaty, wledg-
ed these States "to be free, sovereign,
and Independent States" And yet,
sir, at this very hour, over a square Of
eight hundred miles of our soil, British
law still prevails-British tribunals are
in session-Britsh judgments are rem,
dered--Brltish executions are enforced
british penalties are inflicted. -
Throughout the last twenty-eight years
our Government has sought, by unin-
termltted efforts of argument and me-
gotiation, by almost humiating conces-
slons; to induce Great Britain peacea-
bly, to withdraw her law from our soil
TO withdraw her baseless pretensions
to our territory, and thus to remove
this great cause Of impending Difficult.
ties. These efforts have all ended in
the communication of the fact, by the
President, to Congress, at the opening
of our session, that "all attempts at
compromise having failed, it becomes
the duty of Congress to consider what
measures it may be proper to adopt,
for the security and protection of our
citizens, now inhabiting, or who may
hereafter inhabit Oregon, and for the
maintenance of our just title to that
territory" ...,-
Thus, is this matter turned over by
the Executive to Congress. 1t is now
here-it is in our hands. We cannot,
therefore, il we would, evade the res
possibility of action. If we adopt the
measures recommended by the Presi-
dent, we shall secure the territory, and
may hold forth to the world an indis-
putable title in vindication of our acts.
If we refuse to adopt them, we shall
have deeply periled our rights, and in
Cured the worlds suspicion of having
refused to act, because we dared not.
For, sir, when all the arguments urged
for delay are duly considered, they will
be found to resolve themselves into the
single question, Whether this Govern
mert has the nerve. the energy Of pur-
pose, to enforce its rights against Great
Britain? AS TO the fact of our title, il
is now too late to treat that, as an open
question. The business before US is,
the business Of action. The time Tor
the discussion Of the title is past, when
we have begun TO advance towards the
possession of the object. Upon the
question of title, as government, and
as a nation, we stand committed before
the world. We have, to all mankind,
proclaimed our title.
To this position, we stand commit.
ted, by a series of State papers, stretch
ing through the fourth Of a century,
We stand committed, by solemn trea-
ty with Russia, of the seventeenth Of
April eighteen hundred and twenty
four, by which we assumed exclusive
ownership, over the whole territory in
question. We stand committed, by a
vote of this body, at former session,
upon the passage of bill which car
ried our title up to sd degrees 40 min
ltes. We stand committed,by the vote
Of the House of Representatives, at the
very last session, upon the passage Of
a bill asserting our title up TO the same
point. We stand committed, by the
voice of the nation, expressed in the
election of the present Chief Magis-
trate, upon the issue made and proclai-
med by the Baltimore Convention. We
stand committed, by the declaration Of
the President, made from the eastern
porlico of the Capital, with the oath of
office fresh upon his lips. We stand
committed, by his Annual Message, at
The opening of our present session.
Westand committed, by vote of three
10 one, and one over, in the House of
Representative, within the last twenty
our hours. By all these acts, in all
these forms, have we proclaimed the
ieep-seated conviction Of every Amer
can mind, as to the strict justice Of our
claim, and the absolute frivolity of the
oretensions Of England. Thus, do we
stand in the presence Of all nations. as