The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1846-01-02
CONGRESSIONAL.

taTy, MIlltia, and Naval Committees 10
inquire into the state of the preparations
for defence, " should the country be ex-
posed to foreign INVASION" were taken Up.
Mr.. Cass rose and addressed the Sen
ate. Is it possible, said he, TO read the
Message Of the President Of the I. States
TO Congress, aud 10 witness the indications
of public opinion which are disclosed about
US, without being aware that crisis ra.
pldy approaches; that The present state
of the intercourse between this country
and Great Britain demands serious consd-
Grafton, aud may demand cordial co-oPe-
ration in action on the part OF Congress
ami the whole nation The President has
told us that the negotiations have arrived
at, Il. not close, al all events, position
which is about tantamount 10 Close
The claims of the two nations he finds ut-
terly irreconcieable, and REIMBURSEMENT
of claims to some extent on the part OF one
or both countries, or the Intervention OF
mediatlng power, seem now 10 be the only
alternatives which can avert that most dis (
as,rous event, a state OF war.
This Government had already declined
TO submit the matter 10 arbitration : It was
a course which might with proprIety be
adopted by independent nations, under
equal circumstances, but unfortunately, III
our controversy with England, those equal
circumstances did not cNst. 1t was obyl-
ous that an umpire would huye 10 be taken
from one Of the associated monarchles OF
anI ,raiI hesitate 10
leave the decision in such hands. IL would,
he thought, be better 10 hold fast our
rights, than, by submitting them 10 u
doubtful arbitration, TO risk their loss.
War was great calamity, and should, #
possible, be avoided but there were ca
lamities more 10 be dreaded than war, and
among those calamities was national dis.
honor. lie did no, rise for the purpose of
discussing our right to Oregon that was
a subject which would come up in its pro-
per place, and at proper time. lie was
aware that a great diversity of opinion ex.
listed as to the extent Of our claims, and,
for himself, he would embrace this oppor
tunity Of expressing his cordial and entire
adhesion to the views expressed by the
President in his message to Congress in
relation to this matter.
|, must be pretty evident 10 all who ex.
anime the subject that the professions Of
the two nations are utterly i,reconciIeable.
The mos, LIBERAL offer as yet made by
England fell far below our mos, moderate
claims and under these circumstances,
SAID Mr.. c., what ore We TO do Shall
We recede No, sir: as to receding, II IS
a thing not to be thought of for a moment.
1t is thing which a.lude 10 only to De.
nounce Il; and in this denunciatlon | am
sure that shall be Joined by every true.
hearted American. Nothing Is to be
gained by puslaulmily.
He who would be content to attain q
present temporary advantage at the eX.
pense Of future dl,honqr and disgrace, but
sows the whIIwind and reaps the storm
| will, continued Mr.. c., here repeat a
maxim which cannot be too deeply I'M
pressed upon cur minds, VIZ that It is
better TO light for the first inch than for
acres afterwards ; better TO fight for the
door-sll than for the hearlh.sfoue; IL
maintain our national character unblem.
Ished is Of greater consequence than the
: acquisition Of wealth or extended posses.
slons; 1t is this which possesses a moral
influence in the hour Of danger which is
beyond all price. | repeat ii, upon this
question we cannot recede. Our destiny
IS onward. ! GU might as well attempt to
claim the waves Of the Plcitic as TO arrest
the progress Of this nation. There is a
tide Of emigration now finding lis way
making for Itself channel through the
barriers Of the Rocky Mountains, which
must nunddte every portion Of the vast
territory Is ny beyond them. 4 vigorous
and hardy population are spreading them.
selves abroad 10 that region, and Trey de-
mand the protection Of this Government.
Shall they not have ~ Shall they not
have the benefit Of our laws and institu.
tons extended lheml Only last week
memorials were laid upon your table ask
ing for your protection; and do YOU thiuE
that, if their application is dIsregarded
they will long continue to seek your favor
or conclIiate your regard ! No, sir, the
possessions they have acquired they vii
hold by the bayonet They will hot tamcly
81 still and await your lardy movements
The great principles Of mutual protection
and allegiance, # not adhered to by you il
favor Of that adventurous people, portion
Of your own citizens, you dshearten them
and they become a prey to foreign dplo
matte chicanery. " hat is il inspires the
hearts Of those who have found home in
that distant region, if not the prospect Of
enjoying the blessings Of civil and religious
liberty under the fostering care Of this
Government 1t is impossible that thl.
state Of thugs should continue for ii
seems to me utterly impossible that com.
mun,ty having the same interests and &c.
, cupytng the same territory can hold a dyi-
ded allegiance, and be governed by two
, distinct aud separate sovereIgutes. Are
their claims upon this Government to be
disregaTded By US aliogcther7 Have they
not rights to be enforced, aud wrongs 10 be
, redresscdl How is either the one or the
other to be done amid conflicting authorl.
tie crputttrtod NTH, - ...,,