Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-01-30

EuU ASutEIucu Sdy tndt POIudPS Wa1 indy
follow. ] trust not, and trust that Eng
land will do her duty. But, sir, must we
be alarmed, frightened from the discharge
Of what honor and justice to our. people
commands ,us to do, because England may
in her folly. without cause, involve US Id
war; Peace has its charms 'and'war its
horrors. The mind delights 10 contem-
plate the holy and benign influence which
an honorable peace exerts on nations, sci
ence, morals, and religion. The man that
would recklessly check it in its progress,
promoting happiness and prosperity in our
beloved country, has neither the heart Of
patriot. or christian. All, all shrink
with adherence from contemplating the
carnage, and bloodshed, and wretchedness
hallmark the desolasing track of war. But
lletus be just and fear not,' as has oft
been said. Think you, sir. if the great
and gallant Washington and Lafayette
could revisit US, they would not blush at
our degeneracy in shrinking from duty at
this cry of war; Would they netiremind
Us of our early history, and tell US that the
'race is not always to the swift, nor the
battle to the strong;" but that a just God
controls the destiny Of nations and Of men?
Sir, while listened with pleasure at the
charming eloquence of an honorable gen
tleman this morning, who Vindica,ed so
ably our title to Oregon, l was struck with
no little surprise at part of his argument
for delay-for time and against the notice
l-quise evincive Of the scarcity of more
solid reasons. 1t was that John Bull was
getting older every day, and that already
he had gray hairs upon his head, and that
therefore time would do much for us! An
adversary does us much wrong and keeps
I from us our own-we must bear it in
patience; and ifoupon observation we dis
eoveria few gray hairs on his head, we are
to leave him FOR the presentto persist in
his wrongs, calmly consoling ourseif that
as our adversary is already little gray, he
Twill become older and weaker in the de-
cline of years, and then the fight shall be
made! And shall anaAmerican Congress
seriously act upon this principle in refer
tence to our valuable territory in the north
west, IN which we have already suffered
so much by delay g. Surely, surely not,
sir. Suppose our ancestors, the glorious
sons of IS; whensbut three millions only,
Hwrhhing under sense of unjust oppres-
sion, and indignant at the ,nholy attempts
toacrush them with still more intolerable
Burdens, had concluded that 6 although
Great Britain is rudely pressing us down
with the yoke Of tyranny, we will wait
until she gets older ~ Instead of this
proud independent Republic, America, in
Eall probability, would, now be in state of
7eolonial vassalage. But, sir. such timid
.counsels prevailed not in the days of Wash
ington, and Adams, and franklin. No, sir,
no; the moment they felt,hat the principles
of true liberty were violated and their re-
mensuances despised, they flew to arms
and spilled their blood OH many battle
field. Suppose, sir, in our last--our Sc
condI war of, independence--our2 patriot
and gallant statesmen in the glorious Con
gress Of that day had listened to such tim
id counsels of waiting forJ John Bull TO get
older, and had been seduced and frigh,en-
ed by the panic cry of the. horrors of war!
WHO, sir, can now conceive of its inhu-
ence on the reputation and destiny of. our
thappy country Our hardy tars, perhaps,
would still be impressed, our flag still in
suited, and our merchant vessels plumber
ed on every sea. But, instead of this, the
! American feels thrill of patriotic delight
as, his mind reverts to the noble lriumphs
of that war, and the laurels won on land
and on sea. by promptly daring TO main.
i tain our rights. .s.,, = f..-.... ,,f, .~s,,
i Mr.. Chairman, gentlemen have said
much of our want Of preparation for war.
lido NOT expect war; but if it is inevitable,
our best Notifications will be found in the
noble hearts Of our patriotic, countrymen
] our best preparation, to let the people un.
l.derstand their rights. A large standing ar
my and, navy have heretofore been regard
ed as contrary to the genius Of republics.
| Such are a few Of the reasons that guide
me on this question. yield to other gen
j tlemen who are eager to participate in this
i debate, and will add but little more. -.
f.. T believe, in the present state of this cor,
tiroveffsy1 cor national honor will b s impair.
ed if We now fal.er or hesfste 10 give ibis
fnotice. Firmness and undaunted courage
only can win, from England respect et and and
exact from her Justice An UNNECESSARY
war-cry has been thrust into this debate.
II do not anticipate il; but fit come, let us
begin it in honor, and II will eatIJ in ,ri-
Furfmnph; England win be The 'aggressor.
4Aind If, sir, for HE want Of preparation,
7SfoudsH and darkness obscure our horizon
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