The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-22

ernments, some fifteen or eighteen in
number, compose the popular system of
the Americas, and cover the whole of
their habitable surface, except Brazil in
the south, and the colonies of England
on the north. Yet in all this system,
there is but single member--the Uni
ted States-which possesses the power
of successful selfdefence, agains! for
elgn aggression.
All the other members united, could
oppose no efficient resistance 10 the
ambition OF the allied soveregns.--
Those monarchs calmly looked on, and
beheld with pleasure, the dismember-
ment OF the old Spanish monarchy, by
the revolt of Mexico and South Ameri-
ca, because they desired TO participate
in the rich trade of those regions, and
hoped that the confusion and feebeness
Of funtred popular institutions, would
enable them in future, to appropriate
those vast countries as colonies, to
themselves.
That hope, two Of these Powers are
now openly seeking to realize-a hope
which menaces the whole popular sys-
tenn upon this continent, and which no
power on earth can defeat, but the Gov
ernment Of this Union, the natural and
The r1gntIut guurdia", Leennsa il is the
parent.powe Of the system. If, there
fore, this Government shall allow itself
to be intlmidated into the surrender Of
Oregon, to Great Britain--it it shall al
low itself to be thus belted about, still
more closely, by the iron arm of the
British empire--if it shall allow that
monarchy to extend and consolidate its
kingly institutions still more upon our
borders--if it shall exhibit these signs
Of apparent weakness, will not such an
exhibition be the signal of invitation to
the Oiled soverelgns, to strike down the
Republican governments of the South,
one by one, until we ourselves shall be
compelled, at last, to arm, when all the
rest are lost, to defend our own inde-
pendence and freedom? Yes, sir, it is
upon the power of this nation-it is up
on the readiness of those who admins
ter its government to give full scope 10
the mighty energies of this great people,
upon the first threat of danger, that the
fate Of these Republics depends. Can
any man doubt it? Can any man be-
hold what France, England and Russia
are about in the world--behold what
the two former are, ,at this very moment,
doing upon this contlnent--can any
man see these things, and yet doubt
that, but for the formidable power of
the United States, ,,hese monarchs would
everrun the two Americas, and obliter-
ate free institutions forever?
With these facts before us, does it
become US, as the representatives of a
free and gallant people--does it COM
port with the interest and honor, with
the safety of this Government--does it
become our glorious position as the first
Republic on earth, and the safeguard of
all others, to cringe, and quail, and cow
er to Great Britain, as often as she
chooses to set up 4 claim, without right,
to Our soil, and to shake her trident in
our face?
The answer to this question, sir, is
the point, and the only one, involved
IN the matter before us. For most cer-
tain it is, that as free and independent
nation, we shall cease to exist, when we
cease to be formidable to our enemies.
The power which alone can secure US
against aggression, and, with us, the
whole popular system, is the belief of
the world that we are ready for war,
and have the means to wFge it with
success, whenever the rights or honor
OF the nation require it to be waged..-
ltinstead Of a willingness to stand forth
IN great emergency, we show dis
position to truckle and falter before the
threats Of others, the last obstruction
will be removed to the ambition of con-
federated kings. For, it is not the de-
crepitude Of Asia, nor the barbarism Of
Africa, nor the feebleness of Mexican,
of Central, or of South America; nor is
it the disjointed power Of the islands
scattered through the world, that can
limit the dominion Of these kings, ltis
the United States----it is the great De-
OF the North, which holds that
at bay, that would otherwise
encircle the world, with it's arms and
its chains.
Shall be asked, what has all this to
do with Oregon?----with the question
before US? Shall be asked, care
you in favor of war?" These are idle
questions, which it requires no wisdom
to put, and but little TO answer. Eve.
ry Senator knows that our title is, in
truth and in justice, clear and perfect,
to the territory in question. Every