The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-14

regard il as salutary discipline Of States should there
fore deeply deplose any war wln any nAon ana tnoie
oager arms alone ls wealth and influence easily secure
allies Nor 10 such contest should We be unaded The
adjacent American States at least would cooperate with
u.s. Ii would therefore be general war and consequently
more extensively injurious and widely -demorazng tnAn
any other in which could be engaged IL would more
over renew and practically perpetaaie an alienation De-
tween two fraernal States, whose common guidance
only secured through their eoneerd the advancing ma
lions largely depend | deprecate war moreover De-
cause il can be avoided unless there shall be fault on both
sides or one side and therefore in one sense would be AN
unnecessary conflict Notwithstanding the occasional oe-
Of misapprehensions aud irriaions the world
vet wide enough for both nations aud Tor all nations we
are the centre OF system American one Great Bril-
tain is the cen another European one Almost IN spite
of ourselves we steadily extending and Increasing our
control over these continents Notwithstanding her tenae
she is constantly losing her dominion here This Is within
the order of Ii for three hundred years the
bnsnpss of European nations COLOMBO discipline and
educate American nations 1t is now the business OF those
nations to govern themselves The decline OF European
power here practically began with the fall OF Canada out
the control Of France In 1853 IL has steadily conunueo
until now only some relics possessing little vitality re-
main Without any war on our part Great Britain VIII
wisely withdraw and disappear from this hemisphere within
quarter OF century, at least within half century war
mil ht hasten, but might also delay it.
regret also that war IT mustcom musta also prop
ably with the great conflict that now conyuise
Europe The British administration has long been I'M
faithful the of free institutions in Europe, and the
French empire is in eyes, hateui usnrpaton Never
heess both of these administrations temporary and
practically ephemera while the Russian empire an obst
nate and porteatous reality accept the oracuar EXPOSE
ton of the first Napoleon and, believing that Europe
be either republican or Cossaok, recognise ue
meath the monarchical masks OF the allies the western ma
tons contending against an advancing despotsu. Al
though duty and proprey requires us to intervene
on their side should be very unwilling 10 engage my
j country in a combination against them
regret also, the sad condition OF the Central American
States which seems TO render them as incapable OF proh-
ing by Intervention the French people were when
in 1899 they demanded likenerposon in fuhlmen OF
our precedent treaties of commerce and alliance.
i Nevertheless with Great Britain is now among
the possible solutions OF the present embarrassment We
certainly look for moderation on her part hereafter
if overlook her persistent refusal TO fulfil this the most
solemn and important of all international engage
1t will be idle dream 10 suppose ourselves Tree
and safe if we leave her TO wayay us on all sides OF all
sthmus passages from Atlantic region TO the Pa
| cifc States. y#. .
Nor do fear war having justice and high State
cessity on side. We ounumber the population OF
the British islands Their dependencies deiract from in
stead of lending strength Although we have less real
lied wealth. we have infinitely greater than those
Of Great Britain and our revenues susceptible Of large
increase practically free Our recruiting ground Is
ample Great Britain well knows for she has tried to Gu
elandesney II there were any deficiency OF "ative
volunteers Great Britain herself well as other European
nations, has supplied us with this element OF war We
have corps Of military officers unequaled and we have
the foundations of effective navy that can be speedily
built up and put in motion
In view of circumstances it to me wise to adj
here demands and yet TO cast on Great Britain dis
ncy the responsibility of deciding upon peace or war
Some would advise to propose arbration but think
have passed that point already II would imply doubt
of the rghulness OF the positions on which we had elected
stand claimants out OF possession Such INDIGESTION
would be equivalent to abandonment Besides do moi
know where could find impartial umpire in the
ent disturbed condition of Europe .-
do think that Great Britain will choose resort 10
war; Her government hardly less than own, is pop
ular This controversy grows out of caprice OF her
administration. would embarrass her prosper
industrial system and could bring TO her in return
adequate advantage if she successful My
sell therefore is notice to Great Britain that we shall in
/ terrier Ia dominion
America If shall be discontinued within year and
also that authority be given to the President TO
cute that delayed purpose.
Great Britain may reconsider may propose to refer
ence or some other amcable adjustment would he ready
But this disposition, think ought not to persuade US TO
| inactivity. .#..aa.
II the wisdom of Congress shall approve this course
then the intervening time be well and wisely i'm
proved. No sagacious nation will hazard all Its
foreign dominion influence the integrity of its terri
tory without bringing all its power into exercise.
ton that strikes for continental supremacy must at once
| render itself sefsusainng and independent Before we
expose California and Oregon the hazards of war with
the naval in the world must at least begin
what has been long delayed already the construction
of railroads from the borders of the Mississippi
States TO ports the Pacific. Although the coniro
arises the shores of the Caribbean sea- yet the
field Of contest will now heretofore lie north of the st
Lawrence Canada cannot he conquered againai her Will
She cannot refuse If you tender her annexation just
terms with indemnity for the struggle she may expect
/ with Great Britain.
have thus expressed my opinions with rankness but
not tenacious of them all. invoke equal ankness
and the broaiest patriotism all sides Of this chamber
and In all pars of the country IL these shall be fully
ercised this day win uauguras and important and
peaceful triumph the ancient colonial policy OF
Europe honorable ourselves and suspicious 10 all
| tons