The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-03
REMARKS OF MR.. ALLEN,

In Senate, December 80, l945-on the resolutions
submitted by Mr.. HAssEGAs and Mr.. CALHOUN,
relative TO the Oregon territory.
Mr.. ALLEN said he should take no part in the
general discussion upon these resolutions. HE
merely desired to say that he did not think with the
senator from South Carolina, that the Senate ought
10 keep back all measures Of practical utility, in or
der to make room for barren discussion upon alb
stract propositions. He understood the senator
from South Carolina 10 say that a discussion ought
be had upon the whole subject in relation 10 Ore
gon. However willing | may be Continued Mr..
Al 10 go into discussion upon the subject, do
not want any discussion or action Of this body 10
precede that action which will produce results.
refer to the notice to be given to Great Britain for
the termination Of the joint occupancy Of Oregon,
and which will secure our rights and the ultimate
paci6caIion of the controversy. That is all have
10 say. ..... ......
Whether these resolutions contain true analysis
Of the powers OF this government, according to the
provisions Of the constitution, is not my purpose
al present to affirm or deny. | rose solely for the
purpose Of saying that will lend my agency to
any effort which may be made in the proper spirit
to give the question its proper direction before the
country, by giving notice 10 Great Britain, and by
extending the jurisdiction of this government over
the territory.
War and war party have been spoken or II il
be meant by this that there is class Of men who
want war for the sake OF war, il describes class
with which am entirely unaequainted and II is
therefore that in my nmost heart, regret to hear
from the lips Of the pre-emnent flor will not stop
at the term emnent) senator from South Carolina,
that any proposition introduced into this body might
have the effect to divide the body in such way to
make il appear that there were men here, or any
where in this country who desired war for the sake
Of war.
Without referring to the necessities which some
times exist for bringing into action the martial en-.
~, he Of
honor and national interests if the senator desired
to he understood saying that those who go for the
whole Of Oregon are 10 be denounced the main
tainers and promoters Of war, merely because they
cover with their affections the whole soil and herr
tage Of the country, the senator will find that sort OF
war party; England will find that sort Of wal
party in this country she will find that sort of q
spirit deeply implanted in the bosoms Of nine
tenths Of the American people. They will find that
we ere not to he frightened or terrified, in any
manner deferred from the prosecution Of our ega
rights by being told, 'lf you dare advance, Great
Britain will declare wnr.n Sir, | have heard this
warcry on more occasions than one within my briei
experience in public affairs. have heard this cry
raised loud and long with regard to the eastern
end of the same line Of boundary, as to induce q
Senate to ratify treaty which gave away part oil
of the sovereign States Of this Union, after the
same Senate had unanimously declared the unques.
tionable right of the Union 10 every inch of her ter
ritory. ! saw this produced by the clamor Of war
raised for the purpose Of startling and terrifying the
commercial interests Of this country and producing
a total abandonment of the national honor. Mer
having property embarked in commerce were frghter
ed because that property endangered, and they
were thus induced to stiae their American feelings
and to throw their whole influence into the scale o
the common enemy. And now are we to have the
cry set up that dare not the whole of oul
rights, as, five do, we shall unavodably be invov-
ed in war; Though our claims are indispuable
We are nevertheless to surrender them, because, il
we do not, we must fight, and we must sustain some
losses property. II seems, them that the nation
al honor is to be calculated by dollars and cents
that we are to consider how much of pecunary
means we can save by an abandonment of our jus
peace we must have, peace at any rate and on any
Britain has been able to encroach upon US in times
peaceful harbors, and send them with the helpless
crew into the foaming cataract; and then to stand
before the world, on the floor of Parliament, and
deny that even apology had been made U.s. And
| are we now to be buled and alarmed by the de-
nuncia,ions Of senators herei Are we to be nm
dated by the cry, 'ifyou do this war will follow'
Are thus to be inundated and restrained in the
performance of the duty which the constitution has
committed to our hands, and which the country de-
! mands from us' a aa. .....
1t was in reference to this war-cry chiefly that
rose and to say that no denunciations and that nc
panic, artificial or natural that can be conured ur
in the States, will induce me to sacrifc,
large part of the righ,ful dominion of the Ameri
| can people. ..4. a.'N - ~..as... . 8