The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-03-27
CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON MARCH 18TH.

innate acquaintance with the SUBJECT, ana Was
listened to with attention by the Senate and
by crowded gallery. | of course do not "a
gree with him in opinion in relation to the prop
err policy to be pursued at this time IN relation
to the joint occupancy of that territory, but
his views were presented in manner so dill
ferent from the bullyism and braguardism oil
some who have preceded him on the same side
of the question, as TO entitle him 10 the appro-
wing voice Of all who honor that hig h legisla-
tive body or respect prOpriety of debate. MIR.
B. was in favor of terminating the joint occu-
pancy and of extending our jurisdiction over
that territory. He would encourage emigra-
ton TO it and establish military posts and
march troops ,hither for the protection of the
emigrant. He thought to give notice now of
our intention to terminate the existing treaty
by which the joint occupancy is permitted,
could be considered as no just cause of Of
fence oy Great Britain. On the contrary, he
regarded it as the surest and best means of a
voiding difficulty i'll the settlement of the sub
ject.
In his opening remarks he alluded with ev-
ident feeling to the late Senator Linn with
whom this was favorite project, aud paid
him Just tribute of praise for his zeal and
devotedness to this question, and his high and
estimable qualities as a man; and he sugges-
ted that the first American city in that terri
, tory should receive his name.
The concluding remarks of Mr.. B. | regard
as important. He said that our destiny, as
people, was TO spread the blessings OF Chris
tianity and of free Government throughout
this continent--that in less than half centu-
ry we would number hundred millions OF
people and would spread from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. He did not know that in the pro-
gress of these Developments the country west
of the Rocky Mountains would be attached
in the form of new States TO this Union, but
he believed such would be the result. He
apprehended no difficulty nor danger TO our
institutions by the enlargement of our Union:
on the contrary he thought we would derive
much benefit from it, and the Union addition
al security. He wished 10 see our Govern
ment extended from the Atlantic TO the Pacific.
He would not n0lo say any thing in relation to
Teras sufficient for the day is the evil there
off, but our destiny was onward and in the
! fulflment of the high purpose of Providence,
as missionaries in the cause of human liberty,
our progress was neither to be checked by the
barrier of the Rocky Mountains, nor limited
by the Sabine.
| This in itself is not Of much importance,
but when taken in connection with what !
have learned from reliable sources to be the
contemplated policy of the Van Buren, party
in relation to the Texas question, it cannot but
/ be regarded as highly significant. and as accu-
mulatve testimony as to the preconcerted plan
of the Locofocos to make these two great
questions the controlling ones in the coming
contest. This is the first time this session
that the Texas question has been introduced
in the Senate, and it is now done warily and
cautiously, but if there shall be no giving back
in the policy determined on, it will be pressed
upon the Senate for its action not, perhaps,
in the hope of favorable issue, but for the
purpose Of making that issue rest upon the
casting votes of the Senators from Kentucky,
with whose action the effort is TO be made y
identity Mr.. Clay.
Mr.. Crittenden replied briefly to Mr.. Buch-
anan, and mainly to imputations which that
gentleman and Others OF the same side had,
in their remarks, cast upon the Senators who
had opposed the treaty of Washington. In
respect to the Oregon question he thought
that proper respect for ourselves, as well as
true policy, required that the Senate should
take no step at this time which might by pos
sibiity be an obstacle in the way of the set
Element of this question by negotiation. A
i
matter had Just arrived amongt us; distin-
gnished gentleman in whose ability and dis
erection the country had all confidence had
Just been. by the Senate confirmed as the head
of the Department of our own Government,
through which this negotiation, on our part
was to be conducted, and nothing could be
lost and much might be gained by leaving the
whole subject at this time to negotiation. If
i that should fail it would then be time to look
to other remedies.
There was much of the ''retort corteous"
s. considerable sparring between the two gen.
temen, both being several times on their feet,
in which both gentlemen displayd great ability,
and Mr.. Crittenden his usual superiority in
repartee.
Wednesday, March 18th, 1874.
Mr.. Dromgools, on leave, made report
from the Committee of Ways and Means of
bill; which proved to be for the repeal of the
distribution law, IA provision of which, it is
remembered, renders it imperative, with a tar
if above 20 per cent? and for immediate en-
grosSment of which, without the usual and al
most invariable course of reference to the
Committee of the Whole on the Union, to the
great surprise Of the House he called.
MIR. Vmton, presuming that bill of this
Importance was not 10 be acted upon without
deliberatiOn, moved the reference above indi-
Gated. Messrs. Payne and Dromgoole oppo-
sed the reference and assigned reasons for
its immediate passage. Messrs. Barnard and
Hardin torcibly set forth the startling charac-
ter of the proposition to press into law with
out word Of debate bill ofthis character nv
the brute force of overwhelming party major
ity, and warned the dominant party against
the abandonment of even the usual parliament
tary forms Of proceeding in their haste to reg
lister the edicts Of party. The previous ques-
lion moved by Mr.. Bower of Mo-, withdrawn
to admit few remarks by Mr.. McClernand.
was renewed and seconded-Yeas 76-Nays
20; and the bill ordered engrossed-Yeas
115-Nays 63.
Mr.. Stewart of Pa, was successful in oh
tanning the floor upon the passage of the bill.
and made good use of his hour in Opposing
this bill and arguing efectually for the policy
rof distribution and against the proposed change
in the Tariff. He referred to the eyident1v
successful operation of the presentlaw estima.
ting upon the basis of the receipts at N. Y. of
over two millions of revenue nor ,,.o.I