Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-03-23
Senator Douglas.

Below will be found the close of Mr. Doug
las remarks on the Clayton resolution March
10Th.
The time had not yet arrived for annexing
any part of either Mexico or Central America;
but who could say when that time would not
be here' Fifty years ago. the proprety of the
United States having any territory west of the
Mississippi was doubted. Then one range of
States was allowed, and the Indians placed so
as to prevent any further progress Westward
that failed. Our people broke down all such
barriers, and crossed the Rocky Mountains,
and stand on the Pacific. 1t was not long
since that the acquisition of California was op.
posed because it was too far off, and two little
known. Central America is the ha way house
on the high road to California; and yet the
man WHO thinks the day may arrive when the
United States will find it necessary to own the
half way house to California, is set down as a
mailman. He was not disposed to hasten that
day, nor was he. disposed to limit the enlarged
view 0! democratic administration. ZAP.
Plause.) No man can limit the future progress
OF this nation. No treaties can fetter the limbs
of this great republic. 1t will grow, and, in
growing. will burst them asunder. Why then,
attempt to do it by binding the nation not to
do that which We in time it will be compelled
to do9 Why bind ourselves to annex no more
Of Mexico, when every man knows the day is
fast appgonohinnnX hen we cannot prevent it?
The only effect Of such treaties would be, that
European nations will set US down as fathless,
and regard Punic faith and American faith as
synonymous Don't gentleman know that,
when this canal is completed, the country On
each side of it will be settled by Americans
with American feelings and principles, and
who will have American institutions? Will
this nation shut them out from its protection?
While he would do nothing to hasten these
events, he wished the public policy of the ma
ton to be so direc,ed as to look the future IN
the face. He was opposed to the stipu alton
that the United States should not fortify the
canal, because this left the mouth completely
under the sole military command of Jamaica
Great Britain seized upon the river San Juan
eight days after the treaty of peace with Mexico
was concluded. 1t was then known that the
S"'sSo otoeSS "ouiu eCiuiic SdhioTHia IleT
object was to apparent too be mistaken 1t was
to cut us off from the Pacific. knowing this,
he did not sympathize in the expression of the
Senator that we ought to avoid any difficulty
with SO friendly nation as England She
was not friendly. There was too much in
the past to allow friendship to exist. We have
humbled her pride, and mortified her vanity
Were it not for US, she would have been able
to maintain her proud position as mistress Of
the world. She has no friendly feelings to
wards us. and We have none towards her
prolonged appause) She is jealous. also; and
where jealousy exists, there is an end to friend.
ship. Why talk then of the kind feelings of
mother and daughter? Family feads are the
most savage and lasting. She is jealous of the
United States Why else has she placed cor
don of Notifications along our coast? Why
does she seize upon every barren rock upon
which she can place cannon? Why does she
keep up Gibraltar and her posts at Good Hope
except to command our commerce? Why does
she keep the Bermudas and Bahamas except
to keep them constant sentnels over the
United States? He desired to foster no ankind
feelings, but preferred to regard England as
great rival, towards whom we should pre-
serve good faith, and insist ON the same from
her.