Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-03-27

this is oar specified right, and its exercise /
can present no just rsuse Of compliant in
any quarter Bat, though this is an an
doubted position, yet it must be consider
ed in connexion with circumstances which
have been made to surround il. The reso-
luton Of notice has passed the other House
OF Congress with qualification, or addi-
ton, or by whatever name it shouli be
called, which changes it in some respect
from being mere naked notice OF temi-
nation. Itcomes with that qualification
or condition for adoption here. Other pro-
positions are offered in the Senate, and are
entertained as fI subjects for Considera-
lion.
The Senator from Kentucky, in one ParI
Of bis speech, says that he will leave the
entire responsibility Of this whole contro-
yersy where Fhe Constitution has placed it,
and contends that those who have the
power to conduct the Foreign diplomacy
Of the country are responsible TO the coen-
try and to the world for the manner in
which they shall exercise that power. This
is certainly very just, but il raises doubt
wheiher We oaght 10 do more than simply
to give, or refase to give the naked no
tice. Bal some modification Of the mere
naked notice has been already made in the
other House; and there is, as beheve, q
conviction on the part of large majority
Of the Senate that it should, to q cerlaia
extent be qualified, Now, hold hat, am
der these circumstances, we have e right
to know in what point Of view the Exccu>
tive himself regards this notice; what are
the ends he has in view, and what are the
consequences to which, in the Judgment
of the Executive, the notice is TO lead.
When speaking on this subject some six
weeks ago, gssia it wassnost obvious that
the President could not expect war; be-
cause he did not act Ss the Chief Magis-
trate Of such nation must be expected to
act, if, chalSedes he was with the defence
of the ctentry, he expected any dangerut
its being assaulted by the most formidable
Power upon earth. | sdIl say there rs no-
thing in the Executive Communications to
show as that the President does expect
war, He must, then, expect nothing bu'
a continuance of the present dispute, or
settlement Of il by negotiation. Bat how
is it to be eeltIed2 On what ter1nsl On
what basis3 All that we hear is, "the
whole Of Oregon or nome" And yet there
is to be negotiation. We cannot conceal
tom ourselves or the world the gross in
consistency of such conduct. 1t is the
spirit Of the whole negotiation, on our part
that OregoN is oursi there is nothing like
admitting even doubt, on the part otenr-
selves or othets, as to that positions and
vet we are to negotiate! What is negoto-
ton! Does any gentleman expect that
the Administration are, by negotiation, to
persuade Great Britain to surrender the
whole Of wha; she holds in OregonE Ihey
may do this; cannot say they will not.
If thi. is their expectation, let them try
their hand at it, wish them success. That
is, wish that we may get "aIl Oregon"
if we cam but let our argument be fair
and let us settle the question reasona-
bly,,
But | do not understand the position we
are placed in. The Executive seems TO be
for negotiation, bat against taking any
thing but the whole Of Oregon, What is
to be the ground Of negotiation! What Is
the basis on which it is TO proceed! II the
Executive has made up his mind not to
treat for Iess than the whole, he should
saw so, and throw himself at once on the
two houses Of Congress.
am entitled to make this remark, be-
cause It cannot be disguised that the pro-
bable effect Of this notice is viewed very
differently by very intelligent gentlemen
all friends Of the Administration, on this
floor. The Senator from Georgia, Mr.
Colquitt,) regards it as measure tending
to peace; he expects. he hopes peace from
it, and he thinks the expression ofsuch o.
pnions as he avows will enable the ADJ
ministration to secure the peace Of the
country. There are certain other gentle
men, and among them the honorable Sena'
tor from Michigan, (Mr. Cass,) who are
much less ardent in their hopes CT peace.
That Senator's IMPRESSION has been' that it
we pass this notice, there is possibility
and a prospect of war; and so. against
the gentIeman's own declarations and dis'
avowals, his speeches generally terminate