SPEECH OF MIR. CLARKE,
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SPEECH OF MIR. CLARKE,


OF NORTH CAROLINA,


In the House of Representatives., February =,


1S46-On the resolution authorizing the Flc.
sident to give the notice for the termination OF
the Joint occupancy of the Oregon territory.


Mr. CLARKE obtained the floor and addressed
the committee as follows:


Mr.. CHAIRMAN: 1t is with much difidence
that rise 10 address this committee Tor the hrst
time on subject which, in my estimallon,l is SO
Immediately connected with the peace oil the coun-
try, and which gentlemen OF much more
ability and experience differ in some respects so
essentially. But as large portion of those whom
I have the honor 10 represent seem to feel very
considerable interest upon the subject OF Oregon,
if I may be permitted to form an opinion OF the
extent of that interest by the resolutions lately
adopted in their primary meetings. 1t Is but proper
indeed, sir, it may be expected by thcp-that
l should express my views upon lhls sqo]ect;
Such as have, they entitled to, and Will
qive them to them; promising, however, that II
on a question of this important character should
unfortunately have mistaken their wishes, II will
be nv pleasure, as it certainly IS my duty, 10
reclify the mistake to carry out whatever may be
their purposes in the matter. Amidst all the dill
ferences of opinion this subject, however, TO
which have adVerted-a difference oil opinion
both as TO the extent of our rights and the best
wav of maintaining those rights-it is gratifying
TO witness the unanimty of all on one vastly I'M
portant point connected with this controversy. Il
ak effortsto settle this matter pcaceaoly shaii DC
of no avail and if is to be the dreadful al
tentative, we have the assurance o men OF al
parties that they will unite, as it with one hanc
and with one heart, to give efficiency to the wa
and to terminate the conflict, so lar as humaf
agency may prevail honorabIy and goriously
for the country What emotions of pride doe
not this assurance excite in the breast of every on
what a commentary does it not furnish upon ouI
free institutions, and upon the character OF ou
confrderacy; and what promise does 1t not hole
out of our steady, gradual, and irresistible pro
gress a people 10 that magnlhcent oestlnJ
which is in rest rye for US: if we will only bt
faithful TO ourselves However, therefore, thl
matter NAV be Standardization by negotiation o
by war; whether peaceably or by the clash ant
din of arms-ths fact is of inestlmable value, ane
cannot fail to exert a powerful moral influence
upon the growth and prosperity OF our common
country 1t will also give us confidence In tn
patriotism of each otheri 1t will blunt In some de
gree it is 10 be hoped, the acerby OF party spirit
and it will tell to foreign nations in terms whIct
carnot be misunderstood, that however much WI
NAV differ on questions of domestic policy, whcr
a foreion foe shall touch our soil are prepared
to give him. in the language of the honorable
gentleman from Illinois, Mr.. Douglass:] "the- -bes
fobt we have on hand" and that is un1te1
IL. n
time fallen upon the ear of the House, the inquiry
has invounariIy forced itself upon my mind
whether it were possible that this could be the re
suit Of the annexation Of Texas, whether 1t wer
nossibIe that this could be the evidence o! tha
alienation of attachment to our free institutions
which was predicted by some as sure to follow
the consummaton of that great deed. CeraInl
after so much was said about the dissolution c
the Union. and the disaffection Of portion c
our people 10 their own government, 1t was hard
Iy to have been expected that in so short tim
we should witness the gratifying spectacle OF me
OF all parties coming up TO the altar OF iheI
country and there making free and Voluntar
offering of devotion to her in every emeT grncJ
But sir it Is as true as it is gratifying. IN
North and the West the South and the East
without distinction Of party, unite in the hearty
prompt and cheerful declaration OF determIn;
ton to stand by their country when the shock {
war shall come was for Texas then, and ar
for Oregon now. 1 was for adopting the mo-
prompt and vigorous measures when the forme
was to be introduced into our sisterhood OF States
and l will now go as far as any one IN adoptIn
such measures as may be necessary, in the ever
of war; to maintain our rights and establish oU
authority in the latter. And sir, if there coul
be any difference in my zeal in the two cases
which do not however admit must confe
that nv zeal would be the greater in favor OF Or
son: for we have learned from those VINO hay
had the management OF this case nom the ocgl
ming, that Oregon is ours, our own soil, our oU
patrimony Texas, on the other hand, until a
mitted into our Union was the land oil anotn
people. In contending for Oregon, we are
striving to retain present possessions: endear'
to us by the recollection and by the achleveme
of our ancestors In contending for Texas, "
were but striving to e1Lemd our possession, 10 j
crease our wealth, our power, our resources, ar
TO disseminate the blessings of our Union-resul
certainly gratifying to our pride and encouragin
to our hopes, but which can hardly be said to
equal to the duty of holding on to our own.


keepinq that which we have already got. VIII
rS profit, I ask, ask can it avail US, if we accumula
with one hand today, and give away and squa
der with the other tomorrow What seemir
fcklencss, at one time to peril the peace oftI
country in order to 0cq@sre terri tory, and at a
other time hesitate, Gor fear of encounterlng Il
dreaded power of another nation, to assert al