The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-22
CON GRES SIGNAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. COOKE,
OF TENNESSEE,

the resolution authorizing the President TO give
the notice for The termination Of the Joint Occur
pancy Of the Oregon territory
Mr. COOKE addressed the committee, and com.
menced by observing, that it was but yesterday
when our country presented scene OF peace and oil
prosperity which filed every American bosom with
10Y. We saw under our republican form of gov
ernment people prosperous and contented; the
husbsndman was at home In his field, enjoying the
quiet happiness Of rural lfe the mechanic was busy
in his workshop, the merchant at his books and all
was peace throughout the land. Industry received
it's adequate reward, and trade and enterprise after
being for years paralyzed, had regained it's vigor
and strength. Such had been the case when Mr..
c., not ten weeks since, had len his home and set
out for this place, as the representative Of gallant
people. But the glorious spectacle which then filed
the breast with patriotic delight had undergone a
sudden change, and all the scene was now trans.
formed. IL we looked abroad In any direction, we
beheld q dark cloud hanging with loweang and
threatening aspect The muttefings OF the rising
tempest distinctly heard in the distance; and the
hurried clouds and furious wind, which have been
raging around us here admonish us Of its speedy
approach, Yes, in that House some gentlemen were
found bold enough to stand forth far beyond the
line which wisdom and prudent counsels would
mark out and, barring their bosoms to the shock,
had almost invoked its vengeance and defed its
power.
The sound Of the war-bugle had fallen upon the
ears Of the nation like thunder-clap in clear sky.
They had not the danger, nor had they antici.
pated its approach. We'll may they ask with pain
ful anxiety what does all this mean answer, that
has grown out Of the first effort Of the Executive
TO settle dIffcut s with foreign power, with
reference 10 party Considerations, which Mr.. c.
would endeay r to notice more at length In the
course Of his argument.
Mr., c. had no intention to cast injurious reAec-
lions on those who had preceded him IN this debate.
He trusted that they had al been actuated by the
purest and most patriotic motives. If he knew his
own bosom, and did not mistake the impulses Of his
own heart, he was ready To go as far as he who
vert iarthest 10 sustain the interest," and honor and
integrity OF the nation His colleague the way,
Mr. STANTON who had addressed the House on
yesterday, had vouched for the patriotism of gentle
men Of his own political school, End seemed fopdy
TO hope that his colleagues who differed from him
in political opinion would exhibit the same patriot
ism on the present Question. In this remark his
colleague seemed TO entertain doubt on that point
but Mr.. c. could assure him, and assure the coun-
try that his colleagues this side Of the House,
though they might differ with the honorable gen
ueman in their political course, were actuaed by
high and patriotic motives as any gentlemen that
floor. He felt that he should be unworthy to rep
resent any portion Of the gallant people Of Tennes
see, could he now betray cowardy and recreant
spiri, that feared TO bear aoft the banner Of his
country. Yes, the people Of Tennessee had proved
their patriotic spirit in many hard-iought battle
field, and never yet had been found wanting in main
tanning the honor of their native soil Need he a.
lude to the various memorable spots where they had
poured out their best blood in her cause' Need he
name the bate-aeds Of the Horseshoe, of Tallade-
ga, and of Emucfaui There might be seen their
courage and patriotism brightly manifested Mr..
c. would be unworthy to represent them could he
act cowardly part, or should he be actuated by
ptiful and dastardy spirit on great national ques-
lion like this No; he was actuated by no such
motive. He wished not heedlessly and recklessly
10 approach the consideration of question which
so deeply involved the peace, prosperity, and heppi-
ness ofhis country. He thought they all should
approach it with due deliberation, prepared TO act
as it became American statesmen. He had said
that on the issue of this question, it had been
presented in the report of the honorable chairman
from the Committee on Foreign Affairs depended
the peace Of the nation. On this subject he trusted
that he should be able TO cite an authority which
would be considered among the highest that could
be adduced by gentlemen both sides OF the
House.
1t would be unnecessary for him upon the present
occasion TO trace the grounds Of the American title
to the Oregon territory: they had been placed before
the country by the publication Of the history of our
negotiations that sub ect since 1918, and the
try seemed to be well appr!sed of every link in that
chain Of title by which we claimed the country.
But Mr. c. was not one of those who affirmed that
Great Britain had no rights in Oregon. He claimed
ens stood ready to risk their lives, their fortunes,
and all they possessed to defend those rights. But
Great Britain also claimed rights there which per-
tanned to her If those rights should be wholly de-
nled-it nothing but the whole Of Oregon would
satisfy our demand, as some gentlemen had insisted,
an injurious reflection would necessarily be cast up
on the administrations of MIR. Monroe, Mr.. Adams,
and even the present Executive, as well on a
large portion of his democratic friends in that
House. He was unwilling to cast such reflections
it was r OF his purpose to reflect improperly upon
any one-bnt when the question was examined we
should see where the high functionares of the ma
ton had placed this controversy.
Our government upon four successive occasions
has offered to divide the Oregon territory with Great
Britain by the 49th parallel Of north Latitude. In
the negotiations of 1918, 1924, and 1896 offered
Great Britain to divide Oregon with her by the 49th
degree Of north latitude, and on two of these occa-
SONS we had added the concession of the free Davi-
CATION of the Columbia river The venerable gen
tleman from Massachusetts, though now foremost
IN the clamOr for the whole Of Oregon yet in 1918
and 1924, then intimately associated with Mr..
Monroe as Secretary of State, made no oppo-
siton to the proposition to give to Great Britain
one-half of the country with all the lights be-
fore him, though now he insisted so strenu.
ously on our right to the whole. Again. when
the venerable gentleman came into the presi-
dental chair he offered to compromise the difficulty
by adopting the 49th parallel as boundary. If the
britlsh government hau no rights IN oregon, ! put
i, TO the gentleman to tell the country why it was
that upon these several occasions, he, Ameri-
can statesman and dplomatis was willing to grant
to a foreign power a country to which he now seems
to think title remarkably clear, The present
Executive, through his Secretary Of State, (Mr.
Buchanon,) has, during the past summer again re.
peated the offer to Great Britain Of the 49th parallel
and many of his democratic friends had not been
in declaring that it was fair, and honor
able, and just in the President to go that length.
Mr.. G, did not wish this great question, OF 30
much public concern, to assume in this discussion
, party character. Let us have our party dissen-
sion at home; but, in considering our foreign rela
ions, let far above mere party dctation, and
look alone to the best interest Of our country. 1t
was not subject for mere party strife; it ma
onal question, in the strctest sense Of the term,
and should be placed high above all party inAu-
ences The feelings and associations Of mee party
politics should not be suffered to approach it. But
Mr. c. must be permitted to alude to what had
been the course Of some Of those gentlemen who
we're now most clamorous for the instant abrogaton
of the convention Of 1927 and for asserting our title
10 the whole Of Oregon, let the consequences be what
lhey might He desired to refer such gentlemen to
The resolutions OF the Baltimore convention IN 1874,
.,,d ,ha Marty stood nIedged TO