The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-09
THE DAILY UNION.

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Mr.. COBB susgesiod that as the gentleman from
Maryland Mr. GnEsl Who held the hoor woul,
not be here tomorrow, Il Was a matter Of courtesy
70 hun 70 give him an opportunity TO make his re
The vote was then again taken, and the sys'
were IS.
The noes gave !, up. Aud so the motion wal
Mr.. AsHMUN (.oo lals) made an inquiry as Il
day.
BoVSrI LANDS
Mr. MCCONNELL rose and said he desired Il
give notice that he would tomorrow, or on som.
future day, ask leave 10 introduce bill giving te
every white man one hundred and sixty acres Of
ground, provided he would pork "a.
oREoos.
The House then resolved itself into COMMITTEES Of
the Whole on the state Of the Union, Mr. TmBArTs
OF hentueky, in the chair, and resumed the con-
slderaton q sthe joint resolution Of notice Ia Grea
Britain 10 annul and abrogaie the convention he.
tween Great Britain and the United States Of Aug
9th, 1897, relative TO the country on the northwest
coast OF America westward Of the Stony mountains
commonly called Oregon"
Mr.. GILES, who was entitled to the floor, rose
and said:
Mr.. CHAiRMAM There are some questions where
importance and whose greatness such 10 swal-
low up for a.ime all others, 10 chain the minds OF
men TO their consideration, and TO compel them 10
yield their undivided attention. or such character
Is the subject which we are now discussing.
Its Importance Is ooextensiye with the American
continent, and lasting the American name. la
interest is felt, and lis decision anxiously looked
Tor, upon every spot where live the principles OF
American liberty. The merchant in his counting
house--the mechanic at his daily tol-lhs farmer as
he tends the field Of promise--the hunter As he
presses over the boundless prare-eyen the travel
Ter as he pursues his solitary way by the banks OF
the Columbia-fees It's interest and looks an xousy
for decision.
But, sir, ita importance goes further. As il re-
lates to peace or war, IL affects all Chrstendom As
Il may involve two Of the greatest commercial ma
tons the earth in war il interests and affects eve
ry man-eyery civilized man--on whatever spot he
may dwell. To-day, sir, our commerce whitens
every sea. The industry and the enterprise Of our
countrymen have been made known in every part
otthe habitable globe. Our Christian philanthropy
has planted the Institutions Of redeemng mercy in
the centre OF the great continent Of Asia the isles
Of the Pacific, and even on the dark and drenry
coast OF western Africa cursed by "by mans in
humanity to man, Am in error, then in saying
that this question interests every civilized man Or
IL strange that interest should be excited in this
hall which betoeDs the greatness and importance Of
the subject and that beauty should orsake for
a season her gay and aowery walks to smile upon
our deiberationsl
Il il a question which outrides oil party distinc-
tons, which sweeps away all party lines, and
shows us that upon all great questions of foreign
policy we are, as people, one in sentiment, as we
are in history, and shall be one in destny. be-
lieye that when this great question comes up for
final action, this House will be found as the Amer
lean people will be found, unanimous in the pur-
suit Of such measures as may be deemed necessary
to meet the exigeneies of the occasion.
However we may differ as TO the initiatory steps
r. IL r ...l
points on which know there honest differences
Of opinion amongst men Of all parties,) yet, when
no other resource is left-when all negotiations
all hope of settling the matter by treaty
shall have passed away, and men come to consider
what course we ought TO take for the maintenance
of that title, they will throw off the faded livery OF
party and put on the uniform of our common coun.
try.
Sir, the debate which we have had in this hall
has been gratifying to every American heart.
There was only one portion of the argument which
I regretted. l did deeply regret that the hon.
orable gentleman from Ohio, [Mr. GippINcs, who
first addressed the committee should have permitted
himself to turn aside from this lofty theme and hur
shaft at Of the institutions Of the country. But
sir, during this debate we have heard a voice,
might almost say, from the past. The venerable
gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr.. ApAMsl has
spoken out; and for one, rejoced to that, al
though his locks are bleached with the frosts of
more than seventy winters, yet that the fires of
patriotism still burn brightly that ancient al
tar.
Mr. Chairman, was one of those who were in
favor OF postponing the discussion of this great
question, as proposed by the honorable chairman OF
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, [Mr. c. j In
cERsoLL l wished to see what would be the eff
feet in England Of the present aspect Of the ques-
ton, il is presented in the late correspondence
which has brought from the archives Of diplomacy
the full light ofday, the fullness and clearness
of our title-a correspondence which will add to
the heretofore widespread fame of the Secretary OF
State; fame whose laurels tme--whch corrodes
and destroys so much of human achievement-will,
year after year, only freshen and renew FER that
correspondence, if we must go into this contest we
shall feel the full force Of the sentiment
"Thrice is he arm'd who hath his quarrel just"
If this contest is to come-for we are not per.
mitted to lift the veil of futurity and see what
is in reserve for us-humanity will weep The
eagle fight to the sky. 1t will be contest that will
not only sweep from the ocean vast portion of COM
merce, but will retard the great benevolent opera
tons of the day, and as believe, the march
civilization for more than half century. II was
for considerations such rs these that was anxious
to pause, that we might see whether our opponents
would plant themselves directly in the face of the
Presidents message, Of title, and Of the cores
pondence.
But the House has decided otherwise. We are
here discussing this great question, and IN few
days we must vote upon it, | shall now, therefore
briefly and plainly give to the committee the reasons
which have operated on my mind, and which viii
induce to vote for the resolution which the chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Affairs sub
mtted.
Much has been said about the consequences of
conflict between Great Britain and this country. i
it comes, (and for one, covet not for my country
"the plumed troop the big vars the shrill trump
the sprit-stirring drum the earpercing fife, and al
the pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war;,
but, if it comes, it will do one thing for us tina
has not yet been mentioned it will free u,
forever from the looms Of Manchester, and thu
workshops Of Birmingham. 1t will emancipatt
us forever from the manufactures of Great Britain
She will lose of her best customers; and that
believe to have been of the great prevailing con
sideraons which have hitherto held her in peaceful
relations with us. ...- ....-. ....|
Mr.. Chairman, after the most careful considera
ton which have been, able to give to this ques
ton, i conscientiously believe that. ifw war
il will come whether you give this notice not.
believe that we have now reached a point in tn,