Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-03-05

slavery, and not because they loved her
more sincerely than the distant territory
on the South seas. And now, while the
pulse beats high, and The Joy is deep at
the assurance this House has given tina,
the lost one is to be restored, our work is
incomplete till we extend the @gis Of our
protection over the far-off wanderer in the
valley Of the Columbia. The people have
decided both Of these questions, and
nought is left 10 us but TO record their YER
dict If the iimid should fear evil resuls,
let them remember the people have taken
the responsibility. IT. in the late election,
the American people did not clearly and
distinctly settle the subject of Texas and
Oregon, they decided nothing. These
were prominent topics of discussion eve
rywhere, and at the balloi-box the sove-
reign people expressed their opinions
They are not for The South or the North.
! do not admit that any honorable member
on this floor can rightfully consider the oc.
cuPation Of Oregon in any other light than
as an American question. And | defy
gentlemen to point 10 single instance in
the past history of this republic where the
South has refused 10 make sacrifices-ay,
to pour out her blood to sustain the honor
of the country and the rights of the Amer
lean citizen. And think the expression
made few days since by the gentleman
from New York, Mr.. RATHBuN,] that he
predicted we should hear nothing from
Oregon ill the Texas question was dis
posed Of in the other wing Of the Capitol,
was unjust both 10 the distinguished head
Of the State Department and the execu.
tive, and unjusliliable by any facts yet de-
veloped to the country Texas is one
question and Oregon another; and the
true friends of the country, in my estima-
ton, will sustain both, and, if both cannot
be obtained, will not falter in their advoca-
cy oil either, irrespective Of all connec.
ton between them.
Mr.. Chairman, we are not now called
upon to decide our right or title TO the ex-
elusive sovereignty over this Territory Of
Oregon. We oil know that conflicting
claims are set up by distinct governments
to this country, ard The adjustment Of
these differences belongs TO the treaty-ma-
king power. The constitution which we
are bound to support, and the treaties made
in pursuance thereof, are the supreme
laws of the land; and any statute passed
by Congress conflicting with the provi-
sions of either, is nulity--a mere brn-
tum fulmen In oil our action we must
keep within the bounds Of the power con-
fided TO US; and the true and proper in.
quiry now is, how far we can 60 without
a violation Of any of the stipulations of
existing arrangements.
Citizens of the United States, amount
ing in number to well nigh three thous.
and, and increasing at rapid ratio, have
left the present organized limits of the U.
States, and settled on the west side Of the
Rocky mountains, in the beautiful valley
Of the Columbia. They look back to this
Capitol, and pray the Congress of the U.
States TO extend to them laws for the 60;
vernment of their society, and to spread
over them the standard Of their country
1t is to be presumed that all are willing 10
90 as far as in our power lies, 10 meet their
wishes, and secure to them protection. -
This, al all events, is the decided feeling
Of the great mass of the American peo.
pie. We are not asked to violate treaty
engagements. We are not expected TO be
guilty Of bad faith. We are not justified
by public opinion in going beyond the
Threshold Of our power. But we are re-
quired TO exert all the power that is left us
for the protection Of the American citi-
zen.
The question to be determined, then, !
repeat, is how far can we extend our ju-
risiiction in accordance with the meaning
and spirit Of existing stipulationsa Can
we erect territorial government Can
we send governors and Judges and sherffs
10 our people beyond the Rocky noun
iains, for the purpose Of maintaining good
order, and enforcing right, and commit no
breach Of honor or good faith with Great
Britainl hold that we may; and TO iAus-
iraie this position is my present purpose.
Onthe 2O,h October, 1918, Great Bri-
tain and the United States entered into a
convention, the Sd article of which is as
follows;
CART 3. tits agreed that any country that
may be claimed by either party on the north
west coast OF America, westward OF the stony
mountains, shall. together with its harhors
bays, and creeks, and the navigation Of all RI
vers within the sane, BE rRsE AND orEN for
the term Of ten years from the date Of the sig
nature Of the prescnt convention, TO the vessels,
citizens, and subjects Of The two powers. u be-
ing well undsrstood, that this agreement Is not
10 be construed to the prejudice OF any claim
which either OF the two high contracting TAR
rms MAY HAVE TO ANY PART OF SAID COUNTRY
nor shall Il be taken 10 affect the claim OF any
other pewer or State TO any part Of said coa'i-
try the only object Of the high contracting
parties, in that respect, being to prevent DIS
putes and differences among themselves"