The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-04-11
Speech of MIR. Webster.
ON THE NEW LOAN BILL.
[ From Houstons Reports] IN SENATE, March 90

peace for the present. than to have a peace
that brings territories for new States and the
reason is that believe we can get peace just
as soon without territory as with it peace
more safe, more enduring-vastly more hon
orabe to us. the great republic of the western
world, hear gentlemen say that we must
have some territory-that the people demand
it. denyit; at least say see no proof OF
it whatever, do not doubt that there are
individuals here and there of an enterprising
character, disposed to emigration, who know
nothing about New Mexico, but that it is far
off; and nothing of California, but that it is
still farther off who are tired of the dull
pursuits of agriculture and civil life. dare
say that there are hundreds and thousands of
such persons who might wish for territory in
which to seek their fortunes. Whatever is
new, is attractive TO such minds. They feel
the spirit of borderer, and that is, | take it,
to be pretty tolerably content with his condi-
ton till somebody passes beyond him and
! then his disposition to take up his "traps"
and pass beyond him who has passed himself.
ard sit down farther off, is an irresistible pas
sion. At least,so says that great and sagacious
observer of human manners, Chateaubriand,
when he travelled this country in 1897. But,
! / say, Sir, that do not find anywhere, nor
that there exists anywhere, any considerable,
respectable number of persons who think that
we want more territory and such territory
There were "a of us last year, who voted
against the prosecution of war for the acquisi-
ton of territory, on the ground that we. did
rot want it-Southern men and Northern
men. believe there were Southern gentle
men who concurred in that vote and who
| found themselves, even against what might
be supposed to be the local feeling and partial
| ity able to sustain themselves upon the ground
OF the wisdom of the general policy of not
seeking for territory, and by the acquisition of
territory to bring into our politics certain en-
barrassing and err broiing questions. | do
not learn that they suffered by the advocacy
| of such sentiments. l rather believe that
| they triu.nphed in them, and l believe that
through the greater portion of the South If
we can trust what has been said here, through
the Southwest to very great extent, the
same sentiment is general-that there is no
prevalent opinion in favor of new territory,
and such territory, or of an augmentation of
your population and by such population. l
need not say that that is if not the undivided,
the preponderating sentiment of all the North.
But we think we must take territory. For
the sake of peace we must take territoryl
This is the will of the President! If we do
not take it we may fare worse MIR. Polk
will take no less ! That is fixed upon lie
is immoveable He has put down his foot !!
He he'd put it down sir, on fifty-four forty
but it didn't stay 1 speak of the President
of the United States as l speak OF all Presl-
dents, without dsrespect, but L know no
reason why his opinions, his WILL his purpose
declared to be fixed, should control US any
more than our purpose formed upon equally
consciento4s motives. and may add, formed
under as high responsibilities, as those which
should control him. We think he is firm
and will not move. l should be sorry, Sir,
very sorry indeed that we should entertain
more respect for the firmness of an individual
at the head of the Government than we can
entertain for our own frmness. He will
stand out, it is said, against us. Do we fear
to stand out against him? For one, l do not.
| 1t appears to me to be slavish doctrine. For
one, am willing to meet the issue; and to
90 to the people, over all this broad land. II
we will take peace without new States, and
| Administration will have no peace without
new States, am willing to stand upon that,
and trust the people. 1 do that because in the
first place think it is right; and in the next
place l have no distrust of the people. l am
not unwilling to put that to their sovereign
decision and arbitration.
! Sir, hold this question to be vital-per'
-eementary-in the future prosperity
of this country and the maintenance OF the
Constitution, and l am willing to trust that
question to the people. Iprefer ttat it should
be submitted TO them because if what l re-
gard as great constitutional principle, or a
principle essentially important to the main
| tenance of the Constitution be broken down.
| let it be the act of themselves. 1t shall never
be my act. 1 therefore do not distrust the
people. am willing to take their sentiment
on this issue, from the Gulf to the British
Provinces, and from the ocean to the Missouri
1 am willing to ask them: Will you continue
this war for territory-for territory to be
purchased after all for an enormous price,
a thousand times the value of all that is pur-
chased or will you take peace contentins