Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-03-04

WIG stiPuldeonS vi TIE treaty. Eng and &C
quired no right of settlement 20 the south of
any point then occupied by Spain. He
quoted from the Parliamentary debates of
1871, to show that this construction was
admitted by the British government-and
adduced much other evidence, from Bri-
fish authorities, triumphantly sustaining
the position he assumed. We much re-
greet that our limits will not allow us TO CO.
Ply the whole of Mr.. O.'s argument, and
We will not mar its force by selecting a
portion. The following is the conclusion
Of his speechl:-
Such are the facts OF the case. And
they would be equally conclusive of our
title, even if Gray had never discovered
the Columbia, and il Lewis and Clark
had never explored it.
They are facts, too, pray you to OBJ
serve, almost exclusively derived from Bri.
tlsh authorities. 1t is the man who is the
sculptor, not the lion. And yet adopting
their own version of the story, assuming
as now in force the document put forth by
England as the sole authentic bill of rights
on the Northwest ceast, and interpreting
its provisions by the light of the debates
ensuing thereon in her own Parliament,
do not see how any candid man can re.
sist the conclusion, that England has no
more right TO foot of soil south of forty
nine and half than has he Emperor OF
Morocco; and that the only portion of ter
ritory in regard to which she may talk of
a compromising division at all, is the tract
from Nootka TO the Russian boundary,
about FIVE degrees of latitude; of which
the centre line is about FIFTY-Two; leav-
ing US, if we suppose that compromise
made, the whole of Vancouver's island,
and the COAST beyond as far north as the
southern point Of Washington or Queen
Charlotte's island.
And now, lei those who accuse our Co
vernment Of grasping ambition and reck-
less contempt Of right, stand forth and an
swer me Has our Government claimed
more than its own? Has it offered no sa-
crifces for the sake of peace? BY the text
of British claimed documents, by the show
ing of British authorities, latitude 81 is
the fair line of compromise. And have
we not profered As? In spirit even of
Quaker forbearance, have we not, 10 avert
the calamities of war, expressed our will
lingness to relinquish to British pertinacity
three degrees-three most important de-
grees, too, embracing the valuable and
commanding harbors of VaEcouvcr's is
land upwards of two hundred miles of
coast, which, on every principle OF fairness
and equity is our own?
| admit, to an able reasoner from South
Carolina Mr.. Rhettl the consolidating In
fluence OF war, and admit the lurking
danger, in all republics, of consolidation,
admit that war is the enemy of human
progress; the friend of ignorance, the ally
OF despolism. believe that the wars o
Napoleon arrested, as only the glare OF MI
litary glory could have arrested, the on.
ward march of liberty in revolutionizet
France. War is terrible alternative
But yet it sometimes happens that onl.
through grievous evil can men attain grea
good. Our Republic was Graded in wal
II war, under any circumstances, be dis
credit and dishonor, what OF certain
DECLARATION, written by Thomas Jefer
son, and adopted, seventy years ago, by
band of sturdy patriots assembled in tn
old Philadelphia State-house
There must be an end, somewhere,
concession and compromise. Let thos
who deal in imputations OF discredit an
dishonor, tell US plainly where the en-
shall be. For myself, declare, that | col
slider the whole course of our administr;
ton throughout this affair, from first to las
TO reflect credit on America, honor 10 Il
aye in which we live. challenge, D
Of all history, an example of territori
dispute, in which nation with rights
clear, with power SO great as ours, ey
made concessions SO liberal, demands
moderate.
Sc much for the rights in this case.
,onch in justification of our course, and
nroof Of its moderation. One word no
= conclusion, in reply to that plea for d
Law urged by the gentleman from Alaban
TMr. Yancey.l and others Wesare n
LADY 10 assert our sights; in peace
I've not prepared for war; If the mea
na Us that we have no standing army a
lns arf,l ravy to match EngIand's, III
IsvontIy do hope that we never 3, shall !
oes 'ssce. prepared for war. Whene'
y 80 we shall be also prepared for @
w AZ We are as much prepared no
.snv free nation IN peace ouga y. ever s''sl.
= a. =" vss. and as We need be. cadmu
o. ~