The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-13
800

Mr.. Z, J. lseERsoLL, speaking across. But
how, ftheTe should be black tarittf
MIR III. continued. Let this state Of things once
come, and tell the gentleman that shall hear no
more about the "black tariff" Open 10 the vas,
Pacific market in addition TO that which now
enjoy on the Atlantic, let the productions OF the
country take their natural and unrestricted course
TO pour themselves into both, and there will lie no
danger Of hostile rivalry, Of separation, or Of new
Tspublic setting up for itself. The Ties Of union
would strengthen with every hour-mutual benefits
and mutual interests would link us ndissolubly to-
geIhsr. There is no danger Of disunon. Our great
esi present danger Is from rushing into war before
we are prepared for IL.
Mr.. Chairman, | again appeal TO all candid and
TeaeegIng son from the West-tO those who 90 Tor
Oregon, and the whole Of Oregon-to those who
might desire war for Oregon, but who do not desire
Oregon for waTl appeal TO these men TO say II the
course Of policy which would lead to such con-
summation as / have described, be not the proper
line 10 he pursued II We would see this prospect
realized certainly, though gradually, We must lei
this controversy remain as II -. Let us not renew
the neg Jtialol; make no more offers TO Great
Britain; but let trust 10 the process Of COLOMBIA
Iion now rapidly in progress, and We shall
quietly, pescsably, and certainly obtain the whole
OF what claim. ] care not how glorious
the war may be, II would be better to avoid it for
It 10 in this way alone that We may reasonably hope
TO obtain what gentlemen so srdently desire-''the
whole OF Oregon" Let things remain they are.
should put end 10 the joint occupancy long as
she Tesls her title the Nootka Sound convention,
under which she claims joint occupancy, and moth
ing more. In the meantime, let US 90 on and I'LL
the country let US pass such measures as, without
violating the treaty. would contribute TO that end;
and then II should hnd IL necessary ultimately
go to war, We can choose our own time for do
ing IL.
Butmy western friends seem disposed to reproaeh
the South in this matter, as IL il ungratefu in
Nl.E. IF
80 many Of them regard as the best Nothing could
pam me more than such an Imputation. The South
acknowledges Its obligations 10 western friends;
We feel It, feel 1t deeply and strongly, and would
mos, gladly requlte 1t. This believe we may do
by pursuing such u course OF policy as presents the
only hope Of obtaining all Oregon, whilst it would
save from the dangers and sacrifices ofa war for
which we unpTepared, and into which we must
enter under circumstances less proptous than they
ever likely TO be hereafter. But whilst | adyo-
cate this the wses, and most statesmanlike poll
cy, trust that my western friends will understand
me. Whilst in this matter pursue the path which
l have taken under convictions OF duty quite as
deep and strong as their own, hope they will per-
nit me TO follow 1t without reproaeh, so long as
cast no reproaches on them for choosing different
route, which regard as much more perllous, not
oay TO the great interests of the country but our
chances for the ultimate possession Of Oregon. I
will aid them in such measures as believe would
most certainly enable us to obtain possession Of the
whole country but | cannot assist in those which
would probably defeat that object.
Mr.. Chairman, | am not one Of those who have
ever said or thought that Oregon was not worth
war. IL II were a barren rock in the ocean, if il
a mere idle strip OF seashore sand, the eoun-
try ought to fight for 1t than suffer itself to
be dsPossessed by violence. To depress the ma
uOnal tone, to degrade the national spirit would be
far worse than w,r itself feel the solemn respon-
slhIIIy which rests upon TO defend by war even
OF war should be necessary the only means for
that purpose every inch OF American SOIL through
out the whole length of our possessions, from the
eXrsme regions Of the frozen north down TO the sun
ny slopes which look 10 the burning line through
out their whole BREADTH from the rising To the set
ting sum- from the "steep Atlantic stream 10 the
far Pacific wave. But whilst we admit the
truth of these sentiments, let us remember
al the same time, that war is never Unsuitable
until It becomes necessary; and before that can be
shown we must first have exhausted all honorable
and proper measures to preserve rights in peace
MAINTAIN, sr, that there such at our dis
posal, and by adopting them we may not only avoid
the dangers of war, but probably the chance Of To-
sing Oregon.
Mr.. Chairman, will go farther. II from the &C.
ton OF this House. from any other circumstances
war should occur, although there may be southern
who believe that 1t could have been avoided vet
take this occasion TO say TO the West, that when
Ii beromes clearly necessary and presents the only
remaining mode of obtaining our rights thew will
find the South standing by the country and by them
with heart and hand. Yes, when that hour comes
ana God grant that there may never be a necessity
for 1.-THE maxim Of the gallant Decatur will find
one universal acceptation amongst the whole
AmerIcan peoP!e-"our country, right or wrong"
Many may be found deeply deploring, in
deed, the acknowledgement, or the necessity,
which has plunged the country into war, but
they will not pause to settle the question Of
responsibility until they have first done all that be-
comes them 10 preserve national rights and honor |
MN hO nerla in -.
fsnknes5, that If, by giving this notice, we should
ultimately either lose Oregon be led into an unne-
cegsury war to OBTAIN it, those who give this notice
will he held responsible at the proper time, for all
its consequences 1t IS the undoubted duty ofevery
section OF this confedeIacy North, South East and
West 10 defend the national soil, and protect the
nat onll honor, But we owe it to ourselves, TO our
poSterty, and to the great interests of humanity 10
exhaust all honorable means of peace before we
plunge the nation into war. Wo to the people
amongst whom war becomes a familiar and
a household word, and wo to the statesman
who cn!nvates a spirit of violence amongst
Hose whom he influences, instead of cherish
Ing a disposition to peace In this connoxion
Mr. Chairman, must be permitted TO express the
profound regret with which | have heard some of
The remarks made in this debate. There are ele-
merts enough Of strife abroad in the public mind
without enlstng the passions further in the work of
havoc and ruin. 1t with the deepes, regret that
heard members upon this floor tanning the admin
lsiruuon, ana declaring the belief that 1t would
back OUT and that II could not be clicked into
war" These sounds fell on my ear like the echoes
&c something of which ! had heard before, and
which contributed to the same result upon another
oc,asion-a result for which a necessity then cx-
Istcd, however unfortunate it might be now.
There never was, there never can be- an admin
istFation elected by the people of this country,
which could refuse war, II national rights and
honor required it. None but timd adminstra-
tion can he clicked into a war" by domestic oppo-
nen's. 1t requires far more courage resist war
cry than to yield TO it. 1t sometimes requires
moral hrmness and greater and higher qualities
Of mind to understand the first outburst of The war
feeling, and calmly to appeal to the sober second
thought Of rejecting people for ultimate in
struct!ons, than to be the hero Of a hundred
fields
Mr.. Chairman, will now say, and desire my
words to be noted, that if any gentleman here be-
sves that this notice will lead TO war, and yet votes
for ii under the hope that the President will back