Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-05-27
VOL. Ii.
CONCLUSION OLE THE
Speech of Mr.. Cass, on The Oregon question.


Mr.. President, the Senator from South
Carolina (Mr. Calhoun) has held up to oul
view sombre picture of the caIamilies
which war with England would bring
upon the United States-too sombre, sir,
if am not utterly ignorant of the history
and condition of my country, and of the
energy and spirit of my countrymen.
shall not examine it feature by feature; but
there are certain portions desire to pre-.
sent 10 The Senate.
What probable circumstances could re.
qure this country 10 keep up military
force OF two hundred thousand men for
ten years-the land portion of it divided
into seven great armiesI confess my
utter inability 10 conjecture. Why the ho.
norable Senator fixes upon that period for
the duration Of the war, know not. 1t is
so wholly conjectural as to elude the APP
plication OF any principle to it. Long be-
fore its expiration, if we are not utterly
unworthy of our name and our brthright,
we should sweep the British Power from
the continent Of North America, and the
remainder of the time must be occupied
by predatory incursions upon the coast,
and by hostilities upon the ocean. The
dangers or disasters which this state of
things brings with it, would require but
small portion Of the force considered ne.
cessary by the Senator. As TO Mexico, |
trust we shall bear much from her. We
owe that TO our own strength and her
weakness; TO our own position, not less
than to the situation Of her government,
and 10 the quasi civil war, which seems to
be the curse of her condition. But should
we be driven TO put forth our strength,
peace would ensue, but it would be peace
dictated In her capital, and placing her po-
lltcaI destiny at our disposition.
And besides, during the progress of such
var, to which the honorable gentleman
alludes, who can tell the sphere of its ope-
raOns, and what nations would become
parties to it? How soon would the great
maritime questions of our day present
themselves for solution? How long would
it be before England would revive and en-
force those belligerent pretensions which
drove US 10 war when we were neutral,
and which would drive other nations to
war occupying the same position? How
long before the violation of her flag would
arouse the public feeling of France, and
compel her government 10 vindicate lis
honor? And who can tell what war OF
principles and opinions would come to add
lis excitement and passions to the usual
struggles of contending na,ions2 The
world is, indeed, in comparative repose
but there are causes in operation which, il
qulckened into action by peculiar circum-
stances, might shake the institutions Of
Europe to their very foundations. con-
slider war between England and the Uni.
led States for ten years, or for half of that
Time, utterly impossible, without bringing
into collision the great questions of our
day-the right to govern and the duty to
submit--and into fierce action the ine-
rests and passions which such struggle
would excite-a struggle that must come.
but which such war would accelerate.
In order that | may remove even the
possibility of misinterpretlng the Senator,
| will read an extract or two from his
speech. After abiding 10 the material
horrors of war, and doing justice TO the
courage OF his countrymen, he adds that
awar between us and Great Britain, such
as has been described, 4" in which every
nerve and muscle would be strained to
The utmost, and every dollar put in requt-
'slllon which could be commanded. could
not fail, under present circumstances, 10
work most disastrous, and | fear incura-
BILE changes in the social condition of our
people, and in their political institutions"
lie then adverts to the consequences of
such war, drawing after it a Mexican
w% and an Indian war. He thinks VIC
should need two fleets, six or seven armies,
one hundred millions of dollars annually,
and proportonate sy stem Of taxation.
lie then continues, after showing the de.
slruclion Of the State governments, and
ne consolidation Of all power in the CEN
val authority, and that our very success
would engender spirit inconsistent with
'ne genius of our government; Z" 1t would
men be a straight and downward road
winch leads 10 where so many free States
nave terminated their career--a military
ueSpollsm. In the meantime, we should
nave 10 provide Tor three or four success
n iu' generals, who would soon be compet-
\ ing Tor the Presidency, and before the
n generation which would have waged the
n war would have passed away, they might
possibly witness contest between hostile
generals for that supreme ofiice-a con
Nl between him who might conquer Ca
aaoa, and him who might conquer Mexi.
W terminated by the sword"
Da' permit me to ask the Senator from
sOu'n Carolina, if all this were 50, if his
NN'Pallons were certain, instead Of be.
W purely gratultous, ought the assurance