Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-01-16

4sth degree OF north latitude as a line be-
tween the possessions Of the two countries
TO the said territory did not abandon the
honor, the character, and the best inter-
ests of the American people," or exceed
the power vested in him by the Conslitu-
ton to make treaties.
Mr.. HANNEGAN observed that the two
first propositions Of the Senator from South
Carolina he supposed would not he contes-
ted by any one. He, for one, at least could
have no sort Of objection to any thing thai
thsy contained. As for the residue, how.
ever, they presented matter for serious con-
sideration, at least with him, for they d.
rectIy cOnAicted with the principles which
be laid down. His only intention at pre-
sent, however, was 10 make few remal ks
in reply to what had fallen from the Sena-
tor from South Carolina, who had stated
that the resolutions introduced by him,
tMr. Hannegan,) by implication at any
rate, conveyed censure upon the Presi-
dent Of the United States. Sir, had no
intention Of casting a censure upon the
Preside Mt.
Mr.. CALHOUN observed thathe had not
charged the Senator with any such inten-
tion. He had merely said that, ny implca-
ton, the resolutions conveyed censure
upon the President, on the ground Of he
ing willing to surrender portion of the
territory Of Oregon.
Mr.. HANNEGAN resumed. The Sena-
tor would certainly not deny thatlhe whole
aspect Of things had changed since the
time when, in consequence OF the peremp-
tory and almost insolent refusal by the
British negotiatOr of the proposition for a
division at the 49lh parallel, that PROPOSE
ton was withdrawn by the Government
Of the United States; but il it were not 50,
if at any time and upon any question he
found himself differing from the Execu-
tive, he was free man, and entitled to the
free exercise Of his own opinion, and tho
he was the political friend Of lhp President
and expected always so to continue, yet Il
the President, on any occasion, should as
sumo ground which he could not endorse
he claimed for himself the same right, aud
he would exercise it, to express his opin-
ions, as the President had to communicate
his own to Congress, without intending,
wishing, or desiring to cast any censure
upon him. He was the representative of
a portion Of the people Of this Union, and,
as such representative, he had right to
express his views in relation to all matters
pertaining to the Government; but he
would repeat that he meant to convey no
censure upon the President.
The Senator from South Carolina had
said that the resolutions were plain and
direct, coming at once to The point, and that
the adoption of them, if he had under
stood the Senator, would necessarily in
volve this county in war. Sir, said Mr..
H. if the adoption OF resolutions which con-
tain the immutable principles of truth
bring war upon us, let war come. What
American is there who, through fear of
war, would hesitate 10 declare the truth
in this Chamber! am also for peace, sir.
| shrink hack from the thought OF war as
much as the Senator from South Carolina
himself can. love peace, but when
peace becomes degrading and dishonora-
Bile, a war even Of determination would be
preferable.
The Senator says that war, when once
commenced, can only he terminated at the
cannon's mouth. Sir, Tor one proclaim
here, that if war with Great Britain upon
the Oregon question should occur, should
wish it never to he terminated until at the
cannon's mouth we ourselves shall dictate
the terms Of p ace. The Senator intmates
that, if we pursue the course indicated py
these resolutions, we are to be plunged
rashly into a war. If it be rashness so to
bring on war, and the supporters of these
resolutions are to be held responsible, for
one fear not the responsibility. Sir, there
has been singular course pursued upon
Oregon matters, and | must detain the
Senate one moment in relation 10 it; it con-
trasts so strongly and so widely with thr
course pursued upon a precisely similar
question, the annexation Of Texas. Tex
as and Oregon were born at the same in
slant, and Graded in the same cradle-the
Baltimore Convention. They were adop-
ted at the very same instant throughout
the land, and not moment was allowed
to be lost while Texas was hurriedly
brought into the Union, while the peculiar
friends of Texas did all they could TO stran-
gle Oregon.
Sir, the country is not blind; the people
see and comprehend. 1t is a most singu-
lar state Of things; and here we are told
that We must be careful, and not come in
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